He did lose four fights during that time, but he was already fighting top competitors. During those early years, he defeated the likes of Hayato Sakurai, Carlos Newtown, Jeremy Horn, Lee Murray, and Jorge Rivera. Longevity (9): Silva began fighting in 1997 and went 16-4 before even reaching his prime (with one disqualification). What's more, he stopped 14 of 17 fighters during that time, including: Chael Sonnen (twice via triangle armbar and TKO), Yushin Okami (TKO), Vitor Belfort (outstanding front kick KO), Forrest Griffin (fighting in a higher weight class-dominant KO), Dan Henderson (rear naked choke), James Irvin (KO at light heavyweight), Rich Franklin (twice by TKO), Nate Marquardt (TKO), Travis Lutter (comeback triangle choke with elbows), and Chris Leben (KO). Before the days of the competing Pride Fighting Championships, when most outstanding middleweight fighters competed for the UFC, Silva went 17-0. 13, 2012, Anderson 'The Spider' Silva simply mauled people. Either way, it's a fighter's essence that gives him an edge.įind out if your favorite MMA fighter is on this list of the 15 best athletes of all time.Īnderson Silva punches Daniel Cornier during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on Jin Las Vegas, Nevada. It may be a mind for strategy or sheer physical grace.

Intangibles: Greatness is sometimes defined by special achievements or personal characteristics that can't be measured by performance or longevity.

And they don't just fight for a long time they fight well for an extended period of their careers.

Longevity: Top MMA competitors tend to have a long career that isn't hobbled by injury.

In their peak years, the best MMA fighters don't just excel they dominate the competition.

A great prime career: Good athletes generally have a period of years where their performance is at its peak.

In an effort to be as objective as possible, these ratings are based on the following three criteria, rated on a 1-to-10 scale with 10 being best: The list of the best MMA fighters of all time is no different. In any sport, inside experts and fans alike disagree about who deserves to be on a list of the best of all time.

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