Mixed martial arts has seen some truly massive fighters enter the cage, particularly in the heavyweight division and in organisations without strict weight classes. While height can be an advantage for reach and striking distance, it can also be a liability on the ground. Here are the ten tallest MMA fighters to compete at the highest levels.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest MMA player ever is Hong Man Choi at 7 ft 2 in (218 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest MMA players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest MMA Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hong Man Choi | 7 ft 2 in (218 cm) | South Korea |
| 2 | Gan McGee | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm) | United States |
| 3 | Stefan Struve | 7 ft 0 in (213 cm) | Netherlands |
| 4 | Semmy Schilt | 6 ft 11 in (212 cm) | Netherlands |
| 5 | Tim Sylvia | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | United States |
| 6 | Alexander Volkov | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | Russia |
| 7 | Struve Overeem | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | Netherlands |
| 8 | Jon Jones | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | United States |
| 9 | Brock Lesnar | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | United States |
| 10 | Fabricio Werdum | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | Brazil |
1. Hong Man Choi — 7 ft 2 in (218 cm)
Country: South Korea
Hong Man Choi is the tallest notable MMA fighter in history, standing 7 ft 2 in and weighing over 330 lbs. The South Korean giant competed in K-1 kickboxing and various MMA organisations, facing legends like Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko Cro Cop. Choi was also a former Korean national team member in ssireum wrestling.
2. Gan McGee — 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
Country: United States
Gan McGee competed in the UFC in the early 2000s and holds the record as one of the tallest fighters in UFC history. The American heavyweight fought at UFC 44 against Tim Sylvia and compiled a professional MMA record across various promotions. McGee used his height to maintain distance in striking exchanges.
3. Stefan Struve — 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
Country: Netherlands
Stefan Struve is the tallest fighter in UFC history at 7 ft 0 in and holds the record for the longest reach in UFC history at 84 inches. The Dutch heavyweight competed in the UFC from 2009 to 2020, earning 13 UFC victories. Struve was known for his submission skills, holding wins by triangle choke and armbar against top heavyweights.
4. Semmy Schilt — 6 ft 11 in (212 cm)
Country: Netherlands
Semmy Schilt is a four-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion and one of the most successful tall fighters in combat sports history. The Dutch fighter also competed in MMA, fighting in Pancrase and the UFC. Schilt used his enormous reach and front kicks to dominate opponents across multiple combat sports.
5. Tim Sylvia — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: United States
Tim Sylvia was a two-time UFC heavyweight champion, holding the title in 2003 and again from 2004 to 2007. The Maine native known as The Maine-iac was one of the tallest UFC champions ever and defended his title multiple times. Sylvia compiled over 30 professional MMA wins during his career.
6. Alexander Volkov — 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Country: Russia
Alexander Volkov is one of the tallest active UFC heavyweights and a former Bellator heavyweight champion. The Russian fighter known as Drago has earned notable victories over top-ranked heavyweights in the UFC. Volkov combines his height with technical striking and has competed at the highest level for over a decade.
7. Struve Overeem — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: Netherlands
Alistair Overeem is a former K-1 World Grand Prix champion and longtime UFC heavyweight contender. The Dutch-Jamaican fighter competed in MMA for over 20 years, fighting in PRIDE, Strikeforce, and the UFC. Overeem was known for his devastating striking power and knee strikes, earning over 45 professional MMA victories.
8. Jon Jones — 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Country: United States
Jon Jones is widely considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time and became the youngest UFC champion in history at age 23. With an 84-inch reach despite standing 6 ft 4 in, Jones dominated the light heavyweight division before moving to heavyweight in 2023. Jones holds the record for most title defences in light heavyweight history.
9. Brock Lesnar — 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Country: United States
Brock Lesnar was a UFC heavyweight champion and former NCAA Division I wrestling champion who brought unprecedented mainstream attention to MMA. The 265 lb powerhouse won the UFC heavyweight title in just his fourth professional fight in 2008. Lesnar combined explosive wrestling with raw power during his MMA career.
10. Fabricio Werdum — 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Country: Brazil
Fabricio Werdum became UFC heavyweight champion by submitting Cain Velasquez in 2015 in Mexico City. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is considered one of the most skilled grapplers in heavyweight MMA history. Werdum competed at the highest level for nearly two decades, earning victories over Fedor Emelianenko, Mark Hunt, and Cain Velasquez.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these MMA giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Height in MMA is a double-edged sword. While it provides reach advantages in striking, taller fighters can be more vulnerable to takedowns and submissions. The most successful tall fighters in MMA history learned to use their length strategically while developing well-rounded skills across all disciplines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest UFC fighter ever?
Stefan Struve of the Netherlands is the tallest fighter in UFC history at 7 ft 0 in (213 cm). He also holds the record for the longest reach in UFC history at 84 inches.
Does height help in MMA?
Height can help in MMA for reach advantages in striking, but it can also be a disadvantage. Taller fighters often have a higher centre of gravity, making them more vulnerable to takedowns, and longer limbs can be easier to submit.
Who is the tallest MMA fighter of all time?
Hong Man Choi of South Korea at 7 ft 2 in (218 cm) is the tallest notable MMA fighter. He competed in K-1 kickboxing and various MMA promotions against top-level opponents.