When breaking down the top MMA Fighters in the world, it is hard to ignore the stanglehold the UFC continues to have on the sport, UFC President Dana White has managed to draw the majority of elite fighters in MMA into the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization. It is hard to distinguish other great fighters in the game, not in the UFC, because how can one be considered one of the best, without fighting the absolute stiffest competition?
1. Anderson Silva - Anderson "The Spider" Silva is coming off a crushing defeat over a humiliated, but game opponent in former UFC Heavyweight Champ Forrest Griffin. He has won his last eleven fights, ten inside the octagon, a winning streak record. He is a gifted Muay-Thai and Boxing Striker, in addition to being a legit black-belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After consecutive lack-luster victories over less-than-game opponents, Silva once again took the plunge into the stacked 205lb. division, and made his impact quickly and ferociously by making Forrest Griffin quit and sprint out of the cage in shame. The fight MMA fans are begging for is Silva to challenge undefeated UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida, but considering these two are Black House teammates, this fight is highly unlikely. Silva is without question, the most proven MMA fighter in the world today.
2. Lyoto Machida - Silva's teammate, and fellow champion is finally starting to get his due pound-for-pound recognition after knocking out Thaigo Silva, and Rashad Evans in stunning fashion. Previously, he secured victories over considerable opposition such as B.J. Penn, Rich Franklin, and Tito Ortiz. The Shotokan Karate Expert's tricky in and out style is a problem for anyone in the 205 lb. division. His skills will be put to the test at UFC 104 by a healthy Mauricio Rua, who is coming off an impressive knockout over former long-standing UFC Champion, Chuck Liddell. Until someone exposes him, Machida is at the top of the food chain.
3. Georges St. Pierre - Since his shocking defeat at the fists of Matt Serra, Georges St. Pierre has been on a tear throught the Welterweight Division, He destroyed Matt Hughes in their rubber-match before convincingly disposing of Matt Serra in his home country to regain the Undisputed UFC Welterweight Title. Despite no collegiate wrestling experience, St. Pierre is considered by his peers as one of, if not the best wrestler in the sport. Combined with his long limbs, and incredible striking ability, the French-Canadian is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the game. He proved this by utterly dominating Light-Weight Champ, B.J. Penn in January in one of the most hyped fights in MMA History.
4. Fedor Emelianenko - Fedor has the most proven track record of any Heavyweight in MMA History. With that said, to truly prove he is the best, he needs the UFC, who holds the majority of top-level heavyweights in the sport. Emelianenko seems content with fighting sub-par competition which could quickly drop him from the pound-for-pound ranks in the eyes of the fans. Until Fedor fights the UFC's behemoth known as Brock Lesnar, the argument will rage on.
5. Brock Lesnar - Honestly, at this point, Emelianenko and Lesnar are interchangeable. The reason Fedor is ranked higher is because he has a longer track record, and seemingly superior MMA skills. But if Lesnar continues to dominate top competition, while Fedor fights has-beens, and never-were's, Brock will take over the top spot in the Heavyweight Division within the next year.
