Las Vegas is often regarded as the fighting capital of the world, and rightfully so. For years, Sin City has hosted the biggest fights, with the iconic Caesars Palace hosting epic duels between Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler. In more recent times, the newly built T-Mobile Arena has been the destination for all the top UFC cards, including the recent UFC 300 card headlined by Alex Pereira and the successful defense of his light heavyweight title against Jamahal Hill.
But while Las Vegas gets its sporting nickname due to the marquee megafights taking place in the city, several top UFC fighters have called the jewel in the Nevada crown their home. Here are the best fighters to have ever been fighting out of Sin City.
Khalil Rountree Jr.
While Khalil Rountree Jr. isn't a household name like the rest of the list, he is, without a doubt, the best active fighter fighting out of Vegas in 2024. He recently faced off against the aforementioned Pereira for the 205-pound title at the T Mobile Arena, underscoring his credentials as a force to be reckoned with in the light heavyweight division thanks to fearsome knockout power.
The 34-year-old was born in Los Angeles but honed his skills in both Las Vegas—where he considers his hometown—and Thailand. Despite the plethora of gyms in Las Vegas, The War Horse instead opted to hone his Muay Thai skills out in Phuket, Thailand, at Tiger Muay Thai. The decision has proven to be inspiring, with Rowntree claiming five straight victories since making the move, four of them coming by knockout.
His training in Las Vegas has also been pivotal in refining his technique. He has trained extensively at the esteemed Syndicate MMA, where the blend of high-caliber coaching and relentless sparring partners has elevated his game. That, combined with his training out in Asia, has combined to provide him with knockout victories against the likes of Anthony Smith at UFC 300 and Chris Daukaus, putting him on a collision course with Alex Pereira to battle it out for the gold.
Frank Mir
A pillar of the heavyweight division throughout the UFC's early golden era, Frank Mir's name is synonymous with submission mastery. Born and raised in Las Vegas, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt became a legendary figure within the Octagon throughout his stellar 15-year career fighting a who's who of iconic fighters over the years.
Despite being somewhat smaller than most other heavyweight behemoths. Mir's technical prowess was the cornerstone of his fighting style, helping him secure some of the most unforgettable submission victories in UFC history. The Nevada native famously welcomed former WWE Undisputed Champion Brock Lesnar to the UFC back in 2008 at UFC 81. Despite being initially dominated in the opening minutes, Mir managed to turn things around, gripping Lesnar in a vice-like kneebar to secure the first-round victory.
That triggered the beginning of one of the greatest rivalries in history. The former WWE kingpin didn't take the defeat kindly, while Mir reveled in glory. The pair would rise into title contention together and collide more in the main event of UFC 100 in a clash that topped the buy rate charts for almost a decade. In the rematch, Lesnar would emerge victorious, dominating en route to a knockout victory and rubbing his win right in his enemy's face.
Mir would fight a plethora of massive fights in the subsequent years, picking up huge victories against the likes of Mirko Cro Cop, Roy Nelson, and Antônio Nogueira. He would twice rise into title contention again but came up empty-handed once more. He was knocked out by both Shane Carwin and Junior Dos Santos in his only other championship fights before exiting the UFC in 2016.
Mir's career is adorned with accolades, including two UFC Heavyweight Championship reigns. He trained at one of the best MMA classes in Las Vegas in the form of Xtreme Couture, where the likes of Sean Strickland and Francis Ngannou train today. As such, he benefited from the wealth of experience and knowledge available in the city. The access to top-tier wrestlers and grapplers has allowed him to evolve continually and remain a competitive force in the sport.
Roy Nelson
Roy "Big Country" Nelson is a heavyweight known for his durability and devastating knockout power. Hailing from Las Vegas, Nelson's journey through MMA is marked by his resilience and unorthodox fighting style. His background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, combined with a granite chin, makes Nelson a formidable opponent who can absorb punishment while dishing out significant damage.
Nelson's most notable achievement came when he won The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights, which catapulted him into the UFC spotlight. Training in Las Vegas has been integral to his success, allowing him to spar with top fighters and refine his skills under seasoned coaches. He embodies the fighting spirit of Las Vegas, where the city's electrifying energy fuels his tenacious approach inside the octagon.
