Now that dust has settled over UFC 148 and Anderson Silva has defeated Chael Sonnen yet again, many fans are convinced that Silva is the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of all time. Whether or not this is true is a matter of intense debate, as it is always difficult to fix on one single fighter as the best.
One could look back and bring up fighters such as Helio or Carlos Gracie, but comparing these to modern fighters can be tricky. Today's MMA fighters compete under a unified set of rules and under different conditions, so rather than consider both historic fighters and modern fighters, here is a selection of fighters who have been in the mix since 1993 and the first UFC.
Anderson Silva is arguably one of the best fighters of all time, a versatile athlete skilled in Muay Thai, as well as having black belts in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He also holds a yellow rope in Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that incorporates fighting and dance elements. He holds a highly impressive professional MMA record with 32 wins and just four losses. The majority of his wins have been by TKO, and he holds the UFC record for the most knockdowns, as well as the longest winning streak of a UFC fighter.
In the baseball movie, "The Natural," Robert Redford's character wants to be known as "the best there ever was in this game." Randy Couture, who holds the nickname "The Natural," is also considered one of the best in his game. While Silva's record is more impressive, Couture boasts 19 wins over 30 bouts, including wins over some of the best opponents in MMA, including Chuck Liddell and Vitor Belfort. In addition, Couture has won titles in two separate weight classes and only one other fighter has managed that feat.
While many of the greatest fight within the UFC, Fedor Emelianenko has been a notable exception. His nearly ten-year win streak included 27 victories against fighters such as Mirko Filipovic. His fights have been mainly within Pride and RINGS, but that doesn't make his 34-4-1 record any less impressive or notable. Add to that three gold medals at the World Sambo Championship, and you have one amazing fighter. He isn't known as "The Last Emperor," for nothing.
Choosing the top spot is an almost impossible task, as there are many other fighters worthy of consideration, from Chuck Liddell to Wanderlei Silva or even BJ Penn. As the sport continues to grow, new fighters will be added to the mix and a few will be grouped with heroes such as Silva and Couture.
One could look back and bring up fighters such as Helio or Carlos Gracie, but comparing these to modern fighters can be tricky. Today's MMA fighters compete under a unified set of rules and under different conditions, so rather than consider both historic fighters and modern fighters, here is a selection of fighters who have been in the mix since 1993 and the first UFC.
Anderson Silva is arguably one of the best fighters of all time, a versatile athlete skilled in Muay Thai, as well as having black belts in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He also holds a yellow rope in Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that incorporates fighting and dance elements. He holds a highly impressive professional MMA record with 32 wins and just four losses. The majority of his wins have been by TKO, and he holds the UFC record for the most knockdowns, as well as the longest winning streak of a UFC fighter.
In the baseball movie, "The Natural," Robert Redford's character wants to be known as "the best there ever was in this game." Randy Couture, who holds the nickname "The Natural," is also considered one of the best in his game. While Silva's record is more impressive, Couture boasts 19 wins over 30 bouts, including wins over some of the best opponents in MMA, including Chuck Liddell and Vitor Belfort. In addition, Couture has won titles in two separate weight classes and only one other fighter has managed that feat.
While many of the greatest fight within the UFC, Fedor Emelianenko has been a notable exception. His nearly ten-year win streak included 27 victories against fighters such as Mirko Filipovic. His fights have been mainly within Pride and RINGS, but that doesn't make his 34-4-1 record any less impressive or notable. Add to that three gold medals at the World Sambo Championship, and you have one amazing fighter. He isn't known as "The Last Emperor," for nothing.
Choosing the top spot is an almost impossible task, as there are many other fighters worthy of consideration, from Chuck Liddell to Wanderlei Silva or even BJ Penn. As the sport continues to grow, new fighters will be added to the mix and a few will be grouped with heroes such as Silva and Couture.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias likes writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more info about jiu jitsu San Diego or to find mixed martial arts lessons in San Diego, check out The Arena MMA website now.
