by Rob Dore | UFC writer
This weekend at UFC 148 in the MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, Anderson Silva takes on Chael Sonnen for the second time. Sonnen came closer than anyone to beating the man universally regarded as the greatest mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter we have yet to see. Ultimately Silva found a way to win, via a fifth-round submission, and if he wins again on Saturday he’ll defend his UFC middleweight title for a record extending 10th time.
In a sport where every opponent provides multiple dangers and challenges, Silva’s five-and-a-half year reign as champion is as remarkable as it is unprecedented.
Although at 37 he is far from over-the-hill in MMA, Silva has suffered from various, niggling injuries over the last few years and if he convincingly beats Sonnen this Saturday there’ll be few worthy challenges left for him in the UFC. A fight with Mark Munoz is as good as it gets within his own division, though here has been talk of a super-fight with one of George St Pierre or Jon Jones. Both of whom have made it in to our top five pound-for-pound list.
Silva is undoubtedly the best but how about the rest of our top five? If you don’t agree then let us know who you’d have instead and why.
1. Anderson Silva (31-4)
Silva (37) is unbeaten in 14 UFC fights, right back to his debut win over Chris Leben in June 2006. He won the UFC middleweight belt in his second fight in the octagon, decisively stopping Rich Franklin. Since then he has defended his title a record nine times and made two successful forays in to the light-heavyweight division. Only two of his fights have gone the distance and only Chael Sonnen has even come close to beating the Brazilian. A phenomenal striker who has dominated a packed division and has made a mockery of some top level fighters. There’s no one better than the Spider right now and some believe there never will be.
2. George St Pierre (22-2)
Largely touted as the most well-rounded fighter in MMA today, GSP (31) has been the UFC welterweight champion for over four years, making six defences of his belt. The two defeats on his record (Matt Hughes and Matt Serra) have been comprehensively revenged and he has dominated every fight since becoming champion for the second time. There have been complaints that he has been too conservative in his last few fights but there’s no doubting his dominance in every area. Injury has kept him out since his win over Jake Shields but GSP is due to return against the latest challenger to his crown, Carlos Condit. GSP may be second on this list but there’s not much in it.
3. Jon Jones (16-1)
The rising star of the UFC has had some legal issues of late which has tainted his image. In the octagon he has yet to put a foot wrong. Jones (24) became the youngest UFC champion, winning the light heavyweight belt of Mauricio Rua in March of last year when still just 23 years old. He has defended his title three times since, all against former champions and all of whom he dominated. He faces the legend that is Dan Henderson next. If he beats Hendo as convincingly as he has beaten everyone else he may be getting bumped up this list.
4. Jose Aldo (21-1)
Unbeaten in nearly seven years, Aldo (25) is the inaugural UFC featherweight champion, which he has defended three times, and was the reigning WEC featherweight champion before the two organisations merged in 2010. He is another phenomenal striker who possesses devastating leg kicks and a world class take-down defence. With the division still developing he may not get the mainstream attention other fighters do but it only requires a quick look at his high-light reel to know that this guy is a star.
5. Junior Dos Santos (15-1)
Perhaps the most contentious inclusion in the top five but you have to get a heavyweight in. And he deserves to be here. Since joining the UFC in 2008, Dos Santos (27) has fought the best fighters in the division and worked his way up to a deserved title shot. At 6’5 and 17 stone he possesses the boxing technique and footwork of a middleweight. Combined with an excellent take-down defence and solid Brazilian ju-jitsu Junior may reign as the UFC’s heavyweight champion for some time. Plus he’s a really nice guy.
“The two defeats on his record (Matt Hughes and Jans Pulver)”
I think you mean Matt Hughes and Matt Serra
We stand corrected – cheers pal.
5 current UFC champions doesn’t really evoke discussion. However I’ll bite on the ranking of the 5
Silva is an excellent fighter no doubt, but the middleweight division is weak. Yeah you can only beat what’s in front of you, but aside from flashes of brilliance (ie front kick vs Belfort), his fights have become progressively boring (the apex of which being his failure to engage for 5 rounds against Maia). The same can be said about GSP too, grinding and eking out victories to continue padding their stats, their winning streak and their wallets at the expense of entertainment.
Give me a fighter who isn’t afraid to get in there, isn’t afraid to take a punch and isn’t afraid to entertain. Jon Jones has beaten a raft of former light heavyweight champions, and has done so in convincing style.
I watch UFC to be entertained, and the entertainment value has really dropped off as they continue to dilute the cards. Frankie Edgar may not be the most gifted fighter in the industry, but give me an Edgar vs Maynard (both fights) or an Edgar vs Henderson, over a GSP vs Koscheck any day.
So to conclude my ramblings, by stats, length of title reign and probably by talent Silva and GSP probably do deserve to top this list and you’d be hard pushed to dispute that. However (as much as it pains me to say as I love them both from past fights), Silva and GSP would struggle to break even the top 10 in terms of entertainment in recent years
Silva certainly went through a very poor patch but he stopped his last two opponents and I’m expecting big things from him tonight.
GSP hasn’t been as exciting as he used to be, the shock knock-out loss to Serra really seemed to knock his confidence to stand and trade. His injury may have been a good thing for all concerned. Some enforced time away should renew his hunger and a hungry GSP is a sight to behold.
It’s somewhat harsh to say they have been “padding their stats” by taking on the best guys the division has to offer. Certainly they’ve taken fewer risks and consequently not been as exciting to watch but that’s hardly padding.
You have to respect and appreciate what they have achieved in staying undefeated against the top challengers for so long but you do also have the right to be entertained. I think we’re going to see just why Silva is top of this list tonight.