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Anderson Silva

Nationality: Brazilian
Discipline: Muay Thai / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years Active: 1997-Current
Record: 33-4

If your buddy tells you he knew how good Silva was going to be when he signed with UFC, feel free to call him a liar. Silva’s unprecedented run of Octagon success has led to a feeling of almost invincibility and a healthy dose of myth making. When he joined UFC, there were still questions about how well he would perform, “The Spider” had struggled with his wrestling and submission defense in previous fights. Against Chris Leben in his first UFC appearance, Silva was only a moderate favorite among oddsmakers.

Any doubts about Silva’s ability to thrive in the UFC were short-lived. What followed was the most remarkable run in MMA history -- more than six years undefeated as UFC middleweight champion. He beat strikers, wrestlers and submission specialists with ease, all while nearly doubling the record for successful UFC title defenses.

Silva has been so dominant that he forces us to disregard the basic laws of MMA. Success is fleeting, even among the very best. Titles change frequently, with the most successful runs generally topping out at four or five defenses. With so many ways to win, there is always a new dangerous challenger with the potential to knock off a champion. Silva manages to be immune to all of it, dismissing one elite fighter after another.

Silva’s brutal destructions of Rich Franklin left “Ace” searching for direction the rest of his career, blocked from the title within the weight class he had enjoyed his most success. Dan Henderson threatened him but failed. Forrest Griffin did nothing against him. Chael Sonnen had his mouth shut twice. Vitor Belfort was dropped by a kick out of the movies.

What distinguished Silva even more than his victories was the way he secured them. Silva tried out different techniques, showing a fluidity of motion and creativity while winning every time out. The Brazilian went back to the original concept of a martial artist in his fights. There is genuine artistry in his technique. Silva’s dominance reached a point that the UFC promoted his last bout with comedy commercials about how there was no sensible approach to fighting him.

Of course, Silva will eventually fall. Every fighter does, as age catches up to him and a new generation rises; or so one would think. The way Silva’s career has gone, if there is anyone who can perpetually defy all logic and common sense, it will be him. Either way, his place in history is secure.

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