There are some legendary UFC fighters from Louisiana.
This includes a Hall of Famer, multiple world champions, and plenty of future Hall of Famers.
The rest of the world may think of Louisiana as a place just for great seafood and good times in New Orleans.
But these fighters prove that the “Pelican State” is home to some of the toughest and most technical competitors in the world.
As always, this list is purely my opinion.
Let’s get into it.
7. Tim Credeur
Credeur was on season seven of The Ultimate Fighter. He had a great run on the show, submitting 3 opponents in a row including Erik Charles, Matthew Riddle, and Dan Cramer.
He then advanced to the semi-finals, where he lost to Jesse Taylor, who would go on to win a future season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Taylor ended up getting kicked out of the competition, so Credeur got a second chance in the semi-finals, where he lost a decision to CB Dollaway.
He would then go on to compete in the UFC, going 3-2 overall. His wins were all by finish, and his two losses were against pretty elite competition.
He has since retired from MMA.
6. Melvin Guillard
Guillard is on this list because he has fought so many elite guys throughout his career.
His wins include Jeremy Stephens, Gleison Tibau, Marcus Davis, Dennis Siver, and many more.
His losses include Nate Diaz, Israel Adesanya, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Justin Gaethje, Michael Johnson, and plenty of others.
His record is not impressive overall, but his level of competition is insane.
Not only that, he fought like this for 17 years!
Guillard has not had an MMA fight since 2019, but he will forever be a legend.
5. Alan Jouban
Jouban is not your average fighter.
While competing in the UFC, he was also a professional model.
You might think that getting punched in the face would not gel with looking good on camera, but Jouban made it work.
He went 8-5 overall in the UFC.
His most notable wins are against Belal Muhammad and “Platinum” Mike Perry.
Perry was looking like an absolute beast leading up to this fight, with a record of 9-0, all by knockout.
But Jouban was smart and found a way to outstrike Perry to get the decision victory.
He is now retired to focus on his broadcasting career.
4. Macy Chiasson
Chiasson was on season 28 of The Ultimate Fighter.
This was after winning just two professional MMA fights.
While she may have lacked experience, she beat both of her opponents in the first round by knockout.
In the finals, she won The Ultimate Fighter by defeating Pannie Kianzad in round two by submission.
Since then, she has had a solid career going 5-2 and remains a promising prospect.
I strongly suspect she will be fighting for the Bantamweight or Featherweight title within the next year or two.
3. Derrick Lewis
I actually included Lewis in my list of best UFC Fighters From Texas.
That is because I consider him an honorary Texan and he’s generally represented Houston throughout his career.
But the reality is, Lewis was born in New Orleans. So I rarely do this, but Lewis has to be included on both lists.
His resume is just too good to be excluded from the best Louisiana UFC fighters.
His most notable wins are against Francis N’Gannou, Alexander Volkov, Roy Nelson, and Travis Browne.
He’s accrued several major win streaks, which is really impressive at Heavyweight where one shot can turn off the lights.
And he’s fought twice for a world championship. Once against Daniel Cormier and once against Ciryl Gane.
He lost these fights, but there is no denying the greatness and excitement of “The Black Beast!”
2. Dustin Poirier
Poirier has been in the fight game for a long time and is already a legend.
From his charity work to his toughness in the cage, what’s not to like?
Poirier is most known for his trilogy against Conor McGregor.
He lost the first fight in 2014 in round one by knockout.
But then they re-matched in 2021, and Poirier pulled off the upset by knocking out McGregor in round two.
They completed the trilogy about six months later where Poirier would dominate McGregor once again.
But Poirier has done a lot more than beat McGregor.
He won the interim Lightweight title by defeating Max Holloway, who at the time, was the Featherweight champ.
He challenged for the undisputed Lightweight title twice. The first time was against Khabib Nurmagomedov and the second time was against Charles Oliveira. Unfortunately, he lost these fights.
But he does have so many notable wins including Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, Anthony Pettis, Dan Hooker, Jim Miller, and plenty others.
However his career ends, I have no doubt Poirier will be a Hall of Famer.
1. Daniel Cormier
Born in Lafayette, Cormier is a Hall of Famer with an incredible resume.
Most impressively, Cormier won the Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight titles. Not only that, but he defended both belts.
In two divisions with heavy hitters, it is no easy feat to win either belt, let alone defend them both.
Cormier has only lost to two opponents ever, Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.
Jones and Miocic are some of the best fighters ever, and Cormier still gave both guys trouble in multiple fights, including a win over Miocic in their first fight.
He has other notable wins including Derrick Lewis, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, Alexander Gustafsson, Dan Henderson, Frank Mir, and many more.
Cormier is now retired, but you can see him behind the broadcast desk a few times per month, calling UFC fights as a commentator.
What’s Next?
It’s hard to say what the future holds for MMA fighters from Louisiana.
What I can say is, this state has produced some of the greatest competitors of all time.
And I am thankful for the great fighters and the great fights they have put on.
