The Octagon isn’t just about proving ground and striking skills – it is also a place where some of the most chiseled physiques in the sports world take center stage. From Arman Tsarukyan’s Greek god physique to Paulo Costa’s jaw-dropping action-figure-like aesthetic, the UFC has enough fighters under its roster whose physiques are nothing shy of a work of art.

Fighter physiques are a reflection of the efforts they put into becoming top athletes and performing at the highest levels. While there have been exceptions to the rule, particularly in the heavyweight division with fighters like Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson, Justin and Junior Tafa and Tai Tuivasa, UFC fighters largely have chiseled bodies that add to the spectacle of mixed martial arts. In that sense, let’s take a look at the top 5 physiques in the UFC, across all divisions.

Arman Tsarukyan

We are just moments away from witnessing Arman Tsarukyan taking on Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. Ahead of his fight, the fighter has a superhuman physique with multiple photos circulating across social media showcasing Tsarukyan’s absolutely shredded physique. Muscle Lab founders Andy Treys and Vatche Ourishian believe that the #1 contender’s physique is a work of art.

“Arman came by in 2020 after his loss to Islam, and since then, we’ve been actively involved in his training camps. His physique is a combination of incredible genetics and disciplined work. He collaborates with Dr. Matteo Capodaglio, his nutritionist, who has developed a specialized carbohydrate periodization protocol for him. Arman has followed it with great dedication, which has significantly contributed to his performance,” said Vatche Ourishian.

It should be noted that Arman Tsarukyan has always been in great shape, thanks to his ice hockey training during his teenage years. Given his muscular physique, does it limit his mobility as a fighter? It is quite the opposite according to Ourishian who said, “Arman’s mobility is truly remarkable, but he also puts in the effort to ensure it stays that way,” Remember Tsarukyan’s ace kick against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300? Yeah, the man is flexible despite being ripped.

Paulo Costa

The middleweight division is stacked with fighters who have chiseled bodies, but none of them hold a candle to Paulo Costa‘s physique. ‘The Eraser’ has one of the most toned physiques in all of the UFC, reminiscent of a superhero. If we talk about his height and width, ‘Borrachina’ has one of the most imposing frames, quite similar to Alistair Overeem’s (particularly during the Dutchman’s PED days). The MMA community often wonders if the Brazilian practices bodybuilding to achieve his physique, however, the short answer to this question is a big no.

Paulo Costa has always been a martial artist. His ultimate ambition has always been to become a UFC world champion, a goal he has never strayed from. While ‘Borrachinha’ has never competed in or trained for a bodybuilding competition, it’s clear that if he ever chose to take that route, he would likely excel. According to certain sources, Costa walks at around 220 pounds during fight camp. However, it must be noted that his muscles often slow him down as seen in his clash against Sean Strickland.

Aljamain Sterling

When you have toned abs, a well-defined chest, and sculpted shoulders, you’re bound to make the list. That’s exactly why we’ve added former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling to the lineup. With regards to the bantamweight division, there’s hardly anyone who has a better physique than ‘Funkmaster’ and it’s all thanks to his discipline and training regimen.

According to sources, the former bantamweight champ follows a strict diet, consuming five meals a day with a focus on protein-rich, low-carb, and low-fat foods. So, what does his daily meal prep look like? It’s filled with fruits, vegetables, and spices, with chimichurri being his go-to condiment. Interestingly, the fighter has a taste for seafood and he enjoys the taste of Salmon a bit too much.

In addition to that, Sterling stays hydrated, drinking five liters of water daily, and supplements his diet with fat burners, multivitamins, and Omega-3s to aid recovery and muscle maintenance. To stay at the peak of his strength, the fighter incorporates a mix of cardio, weightlifting, and heavy drills as a part of his conditioning routine.

Leon Edwards

Arguably one of the best welterweights of all time, former welterweight champion Leon Edwards‘ physique is a work of art. With broad shoulders and a V-tapered back, Edward’s physique stands out as one of the best well-built physiques in the welterweight division, if not the organization. So, what training does ‘Rocky’ incorporate in his training to achieve that?

Leon Edwards’ weight room workout kicks off with a 5-minute treadmill warm-up, setting the stage for the main session. The first segment is a chest and back superset, alternating between bench presses and incline dumbbell rows for 20 reps each, repeated for 3 to 4 rounds. The posterior chain superset follows, combining trap bar deadlifts and med ball slams, also with 20 reps per exercise for 3 to 4 rounds.

Finally, the finisher is a high-intensity 5-set circuit on the stationary assault bike, performing 10-second sprints with 20 seconds of rest in between. Well, ‘Rocky’ will be back in action this year after losing his belt to Belal Muhammad.

Michael Chandler

When discussing well-toned physiques in the MMA realm, it would be remiss not to mention Michael Chandler. The lightweight fighter has consistently been at the top of the bodybuilding game, even through challenging periods of his MMA career. Apart from Arman Tsarukyan, Michael Chandler has one of the most shredded bodies in the lightweight division.

His extremely vascular physique is a work of art and it all thanks to his diet, “As I’ve gotten older I realize that 80% of my weight management is having good supplementation and nutrition,” says Chandler. So, what does his diet include? The former Bellator champion maintains a simple yet effective diet focused on lean meats, vegetables, and healthy fats.

However, when it comes to supplements, he credits amino acids as a game-changer for muscle recovery, while turmeric and ginger powders help him combat inflammation. Additionally, he takes multivitamins to support overall health and relies on protein supplements to aid muscle recovery after his rigorous training sessions.

And these are the top five names in our list of the best physiques within the UFC currently. What’s your take on the list? Are there any names we missed? State your thoughts in the comments below.