Most Control Time in UFC History
In UFC statistics, control time indicates the duration a fighter maintains their opponent on the ground, whether in mount, back control or side control. This is one of the most straightforward methods to assess grappling superiority. Georges St-Pierre holds the record for the most control time in UFC history at 2 hours, 42 minutes, and 4 seconds. His elite wrestling shaped every fight he dominated inside the Octagon. Close behind him are Clay Guida and Demian Maia, both recognized for their grinding techniques that allow them to control the location of the fight.
Photo Credit: Ryan Mallard, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 5 Most Control Time in UFC History
Here are the top 5 fighters with the most control time in UFC history, showcasing grappling dominance and strategic mastery inside the Octagon.
| Rank | Fighter | Control Time |
| 1 | Georges St-Pierre | 2:42:04 |
| 2 | Clay Guida | 2:36:28 |
| 3 | Demian Maia | 2:35:20 |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 2:26:48 |
| 5 | Rafael Dos Anjos | 2:16:43 |
Georges St-Pierre – 2 hours and 42 minutes Control Time
Weight Class: Welterweight, Middleweight
Georges St-Pierre holds the record for the most control time in UFC history, totaling 2 hours, 42 minutes, and 4 seconds. He successfully defended his welterweight title nine consecutive times, showcasing his exceptional striking and top-tier wrestling skills to take charge in fights. He has a 74% takedown accuracy, an 83% takedown defense, and a 72% strike defense. GSP’s unique combination of striking and takedowns allowed him to dictate the pace and direction of his matches.
Clay Guida – 2 hours and 36 minutes Control Time
Weight Class: Lightweight, Featherweight
Clay Guida holds the second spot in UFC history for control time, totaling 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 28 seconds. His unyielding energy and incredible stamina earned him a reputation for pushing opponents against the cage or keeping them pinned on the mat. Although he rarely finished fights, his gritty wrestling and constant pressure exhausted his opponents, showcasing why he is considered one of the toughest lightweights of all time.
Demian Maia – 2 hours and 35 minutes Control Time
Weight Class: Middleweight, Welterweight
Demian Maia is considered one of the greatest grapplers in UFC history, having achieved 2 hours, 35 minutes, and 20 seconds of control time. His exceptional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills allowed him to take charge in positions such as back mount and consistently seek out submissions. Even when he didn’t secure a finish, Maia’s talent for controlling and out-grappling elite fighters demonstrated the strength of pure BJJ in the Octagon.
Kamaru Usman – 2 hours and 26 minutes Control Time
Weight Class: Welterweight, Middleweight
Kamaru Usman, known as the “Nigerian Nightmare” holds a control time record of 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 48 seconds. His combination of powerful wrestling, clinch pressure and strong top control consistently wore down his opponents round after round. This mix of strength, stamina and skill allowed him to successfully defend the welterweight title five times. It also made him one of the most well-rounded champions in UFC history.
Rafael Dos Anjos – 2 hours and 16 minutes Control Time
Weight Class: Lightweight, Welterweight
Rafael Dos Anjos is ranked fifth in UFC history for control time, totaling 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 43 seconds. His combination of solid grappling, clinch pressure and top control allowed him to capture the lightweight title. He also held his own against larger welterweights. Rafael Dos Anjos’s skill in mixing striking with dominating ground techniques established him as one of the most successful pressure fighters in UFC history.
