The Greatest Champions of the Sport.
Posted on April 2, 2011, 01:15 PM by doomsdayapexThe sport of Mixed Martial Arts has seen many great fighters and champions come and go, but only a few have cemented a legacy for the ages. I have selected five fighters, from their own respective divisions, that have not only claimed a title but shaped the sport as well. I did not add the Featherweight or the Bantamweight divisions due to the fact that most casual fans are not aware of their existence, and the divisions are relativity new compared to the five major weight divisions.
Heavyweight: Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko
For nearly a decade, Fedor Emelianenko dominated not only the Heavyweight division but, too, the sport of MMA. Viewed as indestructable and invincible in a division that also contained two other legends in Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Antonio "Minotauro" Rodrigo Nogueira, Fedor annihilated them (along every other opponent placed in front of him). Fedor left the PRIDE organization with 14 Wins, 1 No Contest and 0 losses (from 2002 to 2007). Along with winning the PRIDE Heavyweight title in 2003, Fedor won the PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix in 2004. He holds notable victories over Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia, Ricardo Arona, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Mark Hunt and Heath Herring. Due to his accomplishments, Fedor is viewed as 'The Greatest of All Time' by fans and fighters from all around the sport. Up until 2010, Fedor was crowned 'The Pound-For-Pound King' by most major MMA publications. His biggest win came in the form of perhaps the fight simply dubbed 'The Biggest Fight in MMA History' over Mirko Filipovic in 2005.
Light-Heavyweight: Mauricio "Shogun" Rua/Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva
The Light-Heavyweight division was thought to have been dictated by Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell but when getting past the UFC/Zuffa hype machine, it became evident that the top 205 pounder did not fashion a mohawk. The honor goes to former Chute Boxe members Mauricio Rua and Wanderlei Silva. Although Liddell was the reigning champion and face of the UFC, Silva and Rua held more accomplishments and acclaim in the sport. Wanderlei won both the PRIDE Middleweight title (2001-2007) and the PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix (2003). During his title reign, Silva destroyed the likes of Quinton Jackson, Kazushi Sakaruba, Ricardo Arona, Hidehiko Yoshida and Kazukuki Fujita. While his protege (Mauricio Rua) never held the PRIDE Middlweight title, Rua did win one of the most memorable tournaments in MMA history (the 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix) in dominant fashion at the age of 23. Mauricio disposed of Quinton Jackson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and then Alistair Overeem and Ricardo Arona on the same night. Shortly after, Rua was declared to be the top 205 pound fighter on the planet and uncrowned champion. Mauricio eventually captured the UFC Light-Heavyweight title by defeating Lyoto Machida in 2010, and in the process surpassing his good friend and mentor Wanderlei Silva.
Middleweight: Anderson "The Spider" Silva
With no doubt, not one middleweight in sport has been more hindering than the man they call "The Spider". The third and final head of the Chute Boxe monster -- Anderson Silva is the current UFC Middleweight Champion and is ranked number one on the Pound-For-Pound list by every major publication. In addition to having the title, Anderson also holds three records in the UFC (longest active winning streak in the UFC [13], longest winning streak in UFC history [13] and most consecutive title defenses in UFC history [8]). Silva first won the title in 2006 and continues to hold it in 2011. He currently promotes a 13-0 record in the UFC with eight of those wins coming in the form of KO/TKO and three coming via submission. His list of victims include Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen and Rich Franklin.
Welterweight: Georges "Rush" St. Pierre
Like his counterpart in the Middleweight division (Anderson Silva), no Welterweight in the sport has come close to compiling an impressive list of accompishments and names obliterated like Georges has over the past six years. In that time period, Georges has gone through Matt Serra, Thiago Alves, Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Matt Hughes, B.J. Penn, Sean Sherk and Dan Hardy. What makes it even more impressive is the way St. Pierre has taken his victories from his opponents by outwrestling them. A skill that St. Pierre has only started to train in his early 20's (compared to fighters like Hughes, Fitch and Koscheck). GSP first won the UFC Welterweight title in 2006 (Matt Hughes), and then won it back in 2008 (Matt Serra). GSP is currently ranked number two on the Pound-For-Pound list.
Lightweight: B.J. "The Prodigy" Penn
Few fighters have transitioned successfully into Mixed Martial Arts from grappling and developed world class Boxing. Even fewer have been given a career start in a top tier organization like the UFC and lived up to the expectations, hype and full potential that B.J. Penn has. In his UFC career, Penn has overwhelmed and conquered the opposition. Such names would include Jens Pulver, Matt Hughes, Diego Sanchez, Sean Sherk, Joe Stevenson, Caol Uno and Kenny Florian. B.J. Penn first won the UFC Welterweight title in 2002 (defeating Matt Hughes in the process) and then the UFC Lightweight title in 2008 (overpowering Joe Stevenson).
Comments
i like the selections.
slightly shocked that hughes isn't their with gsp, or liddell for lhw, but good choices nonetheless.
as for fw, obvy aldo.
Good mentions.
Wheres hughes and liddel?
For Hughes, while a dominate champion himself, he was edged out by GSP due to the fact that he faced the much stiffer competition in Thiago Alves, BJ Penn and Jon Fitch (the top three Welterweights in the world - losing to two of them recently). GSP beating Hughes two out of three times only rose GSP's stock as well.
The same goes for Liddell, While he slaughtered the opposition here in North America, the opposition in PRIDE was much stronger (with the Grand Prix) than what he faced in the UFC. He did manage to enter the 2003 PRIDE Grand Prix and collect a win over Alistair Overeem (a fight where Overeem controlled the bout with combinations before gassing) but he was manhandled by Quinton Jackson with ease. The Grand Prix was later won by Wanderlei himself by in turn picking apart 'Rampage'.
Wheres carlos newton?
i would go with liddel also yes rampage did beat him and lost to silva but tito ortiz beat silva rather easily as did vitor belefort both of who lost to liddell. although it was at towards the end of their carrers chuck did beat wandy
I agree with Belfort, but Ortiz just laid on top of Silva and held on for dear life. Then again, Silva's takedown defense has always been average and like Rua, he depended on his BJJ to get him out of trouble.
As great Liddell was in the UFC, the talent he faced was just a notch below PRIDE's, and his title reign was nowhere near Wanderlei's (length-wise). Personally, I think he was a bit overhyped and it showed when started facing fighters better stand up.
Even though Chuck beat Wanderlei in 2007, my heart tells me that if these two would have met in 2003, Silva would have torn Liddell to shreds. He was just a competely different animal back then.
In the UFC, yes. Terrible match [removed]
But PRIDE provided a different format which would have given the beserker in Wanderlei the edge.
That's your opinion, and I respect it but the difference between the Wanderlei of 2003 and 2007 is considerably noticeable. His speed declined to the point where his powerful hooks miss 69% of the time. Back in 2003, it would have only taken one hook for Liddell to absorb before he'd find himself in the clinch taking those deadly knees. If he couldn't survive Rampage's onslaught, then he couldn't handle Silva's.
Very true, but then again, the UFC never attempted to send Liddell back a second time to showcase these improvements. In fact, after 2003, Liddell never faced a true threat in regards to a Muay Thai striker. The closest threat he got was Renato Sobral. And Babalu is far from being a vicious striker. Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture, Jermey Horn and Veron White never presented a threat to Liddell while standing.
Now advance past the Ortiz win and things get really shady for Liddell. He lost to Rampage (again) in the first round, Jardine via Unanimous Decision (huge upset), Evans via brutal one punch knock out in the second round, Shogun via TKO in the first round and Rich Franklin via one punch knock out in the first round.
I don't know, it doesn't make me feel confident about Liddell's stand up. And you're right, Vitor did knock out Silva in 44 seconds but everybody gets caught once in awhile. Afterall, Belfort got knocked out via front kick in the first round against Ando.
Very good points, it's why I stated before that it was a very close decision to make. Like you said, Wanderlei and Chuck have had very similar careers and it comes down to personal opinion to make the decision. That's why I left it up to the title reign of six years and the partcipation of three grand prix tournaments (including the one he won in 2003) that pushed his stock over Liddell's. Of course, I can't blame Wanderlei for losing against Cro Cop either. Mirko was a powerful HW.
I tend to keep out of the business side of the sport. I don't trust what Zuffa/Dana White say. Hell, I don't trust anyone when it comes to the politics/business. One of my favorite quotes involving the business aspect of the sport come from BJ Penn himself.
"Look, fans eat up everything that Dana says. The fact is, alot of what he says is complete and utter bulls***. He seems cool and honest one minute and the next minute he goes nuts if you don't agree with him. I tend to view Dana White in two ways. There's the Dana you meet at the dinner table -- that guy is humble and fun. And then there's the Dana at the negotiating table."
Lol, I remember that hearing. That was just embarrassing. I love BJ Penn too, but all the guy did that day was flash his giant ego.
"GSP almost killed my little boy" ...*facepalm*
Yea, I wouldn't put it past him either. I got that quote from his book actually -- I don't know if it's true or not, but he hasn't been the only fighter to complain. You should hear what Don Frye says about Dana. That guy is hysterical.
"Dana White? ...What about him? ...That balding pussy."
Yea, it's my thread but I respect everyone's opinion. In fact, I'll reconsider some things from the points you and other people have made buddy.
Silva should get honorable mention for being about the only pride fighter that was truly successful in the UFC
he isnt a true veteran like fedor, Cro cop or the NOGs so he doesnt really count. When you think of Pride AS doesnt pop up in your head
@Griffin: Agreed, Silva was not a veteran of PRIDE. When it comes to Anderson in PRIDE, I only remember him getting submitted and delivering a flying knee. Not as memorable as Shogun, Fedor, Wandelei, Cro Cop, etc.
@Nemesis: Anderson Silva was NOT the only fighter from the PRIDE organization to be successful in the UFC. And, Anderson only had a handful of fights in the organization. Jeez, why do some fans forget to include Quinton Jackson, Dan Henderson and Mauricio Rua?
good post.
Thanks, I only wish my links would've worked but that's my inexperience showing for writing articles on this website.
It was close.
Even though Liddell beat Silva convicingly (late into their careers), I still think the six year reign as champion, winning the 2003 Grand Prix and holding wins over legends and top competitors in Sakuraba, Rampage, Mezger and Henderson push Silva just ahead of Liddell.
Plus, being a semi-finalist in both the 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix and 2006 Openweight Grand Prix along with facing Heavyweights like Mirko Filipovic (twice), Mark Hunt and Kazuyuki Fujita adds to Wanderlei's stock, in my opinion.
I give Wandy the slight edge. Pride was the premier promotion at the time of both of their reigns. Like doomsday mentioned Wandy fought in openweight GP and he is a pretty small LHW to begin with.
I really wish the head to head matchup came earlier and in Pride.
It could be possible. But then again, no fighter in the LHW division since Rampage has defended the title successfully. While Jones appears to be unbeatable at the moment, who knows what will happen within the next couple of months.
Machida appeared unbeatable too but Shogun stripped him with ease. Rua was suppose to reign supreme too but Jones took him out. Who knows what will happen tomorrow.
Jones has been able to overpower his opponents because of his size but a guy like Forrest Griffin could present problems (stylistically).
Sick post dude. I agree with the guys you picked. Although, I think cases can be made for Matt Hughes at WW, and Shinya Aoki (and maybe Gomi too) at LW. Aoki beat TONS of top lightweights and I believe has only lost twice at lightweight (against Melendez and Hansen (who he then beat twice)).
That being said I think BJ Penn wins in a fight when they were both at their highest points.
I wholeheartly agree with you and with everyone else stating that Hughes should have been given more consideration. Aoki and Gomi are excellent choices as well, but BJ had already defeated Gomi before and Aoki, like you said, would probably have lost against BJ too.
Hmmm, damn. Now that I think back, I really wished I would have added an honorable mentions selection but I wrote this in a hurry.
no way aoki belongs in the disscusion he only has a couple wins worth noting and would get killed by the average mid tier lightweight fighter
I disagree, Alvarez is a Top 5 fighter and Aoki easily submitted him in the first round. In addition, Gilbert Melendez wanted no part of him in the ground realm (fearing he would get caught like Eddie did). Shinya possibly has the most lethal ground game in the division.
alvarez was one of those win worth noting not saying aoki isnt good he just has to many holes in his game and is too small to really compete with most of the top tier guys
No I agree, Aoki has huge holes in his game. For example, he practically has no stand up and his wrestling (offense/defense) is nonexistent. But then again, Matt Hughes was nothing more than a one-dimensional wrestler who found success himself.
Surprisingly, Aoki is a pretty tall dude. His head is actually bigger than Hendo's too, but he is very lanky.
hughes is a 9 time champ, his name should of been up there before gsp's.
There is one champion above all others when talking about UFC - Royce Gracie. Not a very nice chap according to some things I read about him, but he was numero uno champion when it was less rules and no weight classes. Not the best fighter the sport has ever seen, but one the greatest champions as he fought and beat allcomers regardless of weight classes.
while royce did win the first couple ufc's it was pretty much a set up. they put him in their against guys who had for the most part zero to limited fighting experience and in some cases gave them false record and belts to make them sound more imposing. royce quitting competiting in the ufc right about when then talent level started to become decent doesnt help the arguement either. to tell the truth ken shamrock went on to be a much more succesfull mixed martial artist than royce and that isnt saying much