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Fight fans, this is a post I’m really hoping to hear from you on, because it’s a really fun debate. So feel free to add your 2 cents at the bottom, I’d love to chat back and forth on the comments part of this thing. After Fedor Emelianenko’s 1st round KO of Ardrei Arlovski on Saturday night, the debate has intensified again…the question being, just who is the best pound-for-pound fighter out there? No weight classes involved…just who you think is the most talented, most dangerous, and most dominating fighter in the world right now.
Really you 4 choices at this point, with maybe an argument to be had about adding a 5th. That 5th man would be Urijah Faber, the former WEC Featherweight Champion, because I really do believe he is as incredible an all round fighter as there is out there. I won’t quite put him in that category, at least not yet. So, your 4 choices, at least in the minds of the majority, would be: WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko; UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva; UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre; and UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn. I’ll go with the arguments for each guy, and then give you my pick.
Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor sits 29-1 in his professional career after Saturday’s win. The 1 loss on his record came back in December of 2000, and was due to a cut over his eye which caused a stoppage. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka was credited with a TKO victory, however, Fedor has never been knocked out or submitted. He has seemingly cyborg-like tendencies in the ring, yet to show any real weakness in his game. His win over Arlovski was calm, collected and calculated, as is per usual…he waited for his opening, never panicked, and eventually hit a flush shot to the chin of a leaping opponent.
We’ve seen Fedor get taken down, sometimes in dominant fashion (Randleman in 2004), and yet it’s just a simple matter of getting good position and locking in a deadly submission. 15 of his wins have come by submission, which is scary considering how solid a striker he is. Few can match his leg kicks, and he has incredible power in both hands…just ask Tim Sylvia. The most astounding part about Fedor is the ease and nonchalance of his victories…rarely does he break a sweat, more often bleeding more than he perspires. There is never any panic or deviation from the gameplan, and there may not be a more efficient fighter in MMA today.
The question about Fedor is what will happens if and when he takes on the “best heavyweights in the world” in the UFC. I use quotes because that statement is arguable, however, it is fair to point out how far the UFC heavyweight division has come in the last 500 days or so. Many want to see what would happen if Fedor stepped inside The Octagon with the likes of Brock Lesnar or Frank Mir. Some believe Fedor has yet to prove himself because he has not fought for the Vegas based promotion. Others believe his body of work is convincing enough on its own. I tend to lean towards the latter.
Anderson Silva
Silva is as scary a human being as there is in the world, with a professional record of 23-4. He’s riding a 9 fight win streak and has never lost inside The Octagon of the UFC. His last loss was at the hands of Yushin Okami, and was due to an illegal kick. His time in the UFC has been nothing short of dominating, from his debut destruction of Chris Leben, to his first fight at 205 pounds when he dispatched James Irvin. Along the way, he has 2 wins over Rich Franklin and a far too easy submission victory over Dan Henderson…why do you think both are fighting at 205 now?
He is the most feared striker in all of MMA, without question. Silva combines lightning quick kicks, amazing dexterity, and the most devestating clinch the sport has seen. Taking into account only his time with the UFC, there has only been 1 fight where you even gave the other fighter a chance past round 1. That was, amazingly, the catchweight battle Silva had with Travis Lutter…it seemed as if Lutter had exposed a “weakness” in Silva’s game, taking him down and actually doing some damage. Of course, Lutter gassed out and Silva won easily with a submission/TKO combo (he had a triangle while he pounded Lutter with elbows). Remember, this guy is also a BJJ black belt.
Yet Silva was not phased in a later fight with Dan Henderson, one of the best wrestlers in the game. Henderson took him down, Silva easily weathered the storm and used his deadly striking to set up a rear naked choke in the second round. Moving up a weight class didn’t phase him either…it only took 61 seconds for him to KO James Irvin. His last fight with Cote is curious, because he seemed out of it in a sense. He would not engage in the striking game with Cote, and kinda just danced around, “toying” with the French Canadian in a lot of minds. Who knows what was going on, but I believe it was just an abberation and he’ll be back to his full freak self in April against Thales Leites in Montreal.
Georges St. Pierre
By far Canada’s best ever export to the MMA game, GSP sits 19-2 in his career and has now won his last 4 fights, succesfully defending his title on 1 occasion. To me, and I’m not alone, he is the best athlete the sport has ever seen. Just look at the dude. I only wish I could be even close to as shredded as that guy; his workouts are legendary and his training regime is not for normal humans. The scariest thing about Georges is the fact that in every fight, we see marked improvement. How a guy like GSP can improve is beyond me, yet in each of his last 4 fights, he’s grown more and more dominant.
Lets go back to UFC 69 when he lost his title to Matt Serra. I still believe it was a fluke, sorry Serra, but GSP took it and ran with it, vowing for something like to never happen again. So far so good. He out-wrestled Josh Koschek and took an easy decision at UFC 74. He followed that with a 100% one sided victory over Matt Hughes (on 5 weeks notice no less)…he got the best of one of the best ever in every single aspect of the game. At UFC 83, he won his title back from Serra, and once again the fight was never ever in doubt. And then at UFC 87, he wiped the floor with Jon Fitch for 5 straight rounds…good on Fitch for lasting that long, but that fight wasn’t close.
In each fight, his wrestling improved, to the point where it now seems incredible to think anyone could take him down. Remember, this is a guy who doesn’t have a wrestling background, yet he could have represented Canada at the Olympics this past summer. To me, he is the best functional wrestler in all of MMA, hands down. His striking is world class, as there are very few who pick there spots as well as him. His footwork is some of the best I’ve ever seen, and it is a real task to land anything on him while standing. Oh, and don’t forget that if he does end up on his back, he also owns a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And to bring it all together, HE’S ONLY 27 YEARS OLD. However he has his stiffest test ever in less than a week against our final choice…
BJ Penn
“The Prodigy” and perhaps the most naturally gifted fighter ever has a professional record of 13-4-1, however he has won his last 3 fights. His last loss was at the hands of Matt Hughes at UFC 63 and he also lost to GSP at UFC 58 in a split decision. The thing with BJ is that training and committment had always been an issue…at least until after the Hughes loss. Before, Penn was content with getting by on his God-given ability and not totally committing his life to MMA. That’s all changed, and the results are similar to those of his opponent on Saturday in Vegas.
His win over Jens Pulver after their season of The Ultimate Fighter was impressive, but not dominating. He then earned his shot at the Lightweight belt at UFC 80 with a submission victory over Joe Stevenson. Again, in that fight, it was never really in doubt, yet not quite dominating. Then came UFC 84 in Vegas…I saw it in person, and I’ve never seen 1 fighter completely out-class another world class fighter the way Penn dominated Sean Sherk. No one is more conditioned then Sherk, yet it was him, and not BJ, breathing heavy entering the 3rd round of their fight. Sherk had no answer for BJ’s jab, couldn’t figure out his head movement, and was completly caught off guard whenever Penn used a power strike. It was a dismantling, and very eye opening.
Lets pinpoint exactly what we know about BJ, combining his last 3 fights and what we’ve seen from him in the past. The guy is naturally talented, we’ve gone over that, and has as good an MMA IQ as there is in the world. With his conditioning and cardio seemingly no longer a problem, he now becomes one of the best strikers in the world. His foot work is as good as GSP’s, and his explosiveness is deceptive. He is also the first ever non-Brazilian black-belt champion at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships, a title he won in 2000. Penn has elevated himself to another level the last year and a half…the question many are asking is just how long this elevation will last.
My Verdict
Well, for me, it comes down to the domination factor. I’ve never seen someone completely smother and overwhelm opponents on as consistent a basis as Anderson Silva, so for me, he is the pound-for-pound best in the world. I look at the fashion he’s won against world-class opponents…reaming Rich Franklin not once, but twice; calmly enduring a flurry against Henderson, only to dominate and win in the second round; knocking out a heavier man in a weight class debut; and showing no sign of weakness in his all-round game, while also improving. When you really break it down, I ask myself this. Can I see Anderson Silva losing to anyone on the planet at 185 pounds right now? My answer is a resounding no. Asking that same question about Fedor, BJ and GSP isn’t quite as easy…hell, BJ or Georges will lose this Saturday! So to me, it’s Silva…and the best part is, we get to see him prove it time and time again.
Now it’s your turn…do you believe 1 of those 4 is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world? State your case, we’ll debate and discuss. Do you believe someone else should be in the conversation? Throw out a name! Nothing funner than a good, spirited debate surrounding the purest sport in the world. Watch www.FAN960.com on Wednesday afternoon, as my interview with Stephan Bonnar will be posted in the Hot Audio section as soon as I finish up with him. I’m going to play the interview Saturday, but as he’s in action at UFC 94, MMA fans should get a chance to listen before then. We start previwing 94 on Wednesday!
Pound for pound, the best fighters in the world right now are Anderson Silva and Geroges St. Pierre. I love the fact that the UFC is hinting at a GSP-Silva fight should he (GSP) defend his belt against BJ Penn and then possibly Thiego Alves. GSP-Silva would be, as the cliche goes, one for the ages.
PS: It’s also pretty incredible that both guys are able to move up and down weight classes. I think you’re probably right, GSP would have to also fight Alves before any possible fight with Silva. Alves deserves a shot, just as Kenny Florian deserves a shot at BJ Penn. And Silva has a fight with Thales Leites as well…it would be a fight for the ages, you’re right, and the hype would be as big or bigger than the last 2 super fights we’ve seen (GSP-BJ and Brock-Randy).
- Blaine MellerWhat are the chances, should GSP win, that he and Silva will meet in a super fight at 185? I believe GSP usually walks around at 190-200?
PS: On the UFC 94 Conference Call last week, Dana White was asked the same thing. Not only did he not rule it out, he said it’s a possibility…I think it’s 1 or 2 fights away for both guys, but I could absoloutely see it happening, because you’re right Adrian, GSP usually walks around at well above his 170 weight limit.
- AdrianAlright Pat – I thought I’d get this started. I gotta go with Anderson slightly over Fedor.
Fedor is pure dominance and no weaknesses. BUT I want to see him fight the likes of Lesnar, Mir, Overeem, Barnett or even Couture – before I call him the best of the best. He fought a quality opponent in Sylvia, and dismissed him in 36 seconds. I wanna see more before I crown him.
Anderson is the best pound for pound. He smells blood. Want proof? Watch the Franklin fights. Those 2 fights along with the Leben fight, were like a lion vs. hamster. Along with the aforementioned names, he’s beat such reputable fighters as Cote, Horn, Lutter, Marquardt, James Irvin and Henderson – all without barely being challenged. His hands are heavy, his kicks are tremendous, his knees accurate, elbows razor sharp, and he has world-class jiu-jitsu. He has destroyed everyone the UFC has put in front of him – in 2 weight classes.
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I, on the other hand Pat, AM going to put Urijah Faber in this class. He dominates the WEC. His skills are top notch, his overall athleticism and cardio is impeccable, he’s lightning quick and his strength at that weight class is unheard of. I think the only reason he doesn’t receive more recognition is BECAUSE he fights at 145 lbs. There is no one in that division that can touch him – even after his loss to Brown. I think the only reason he lost that fight was a mistake on his part, not because of Brown’s technique.
PS: Yep, I totally agree with your reasoning on both Fedor and Anderson. For Fedor, yeah, I want to see him go up against the best of the best…I know the dude has never technically been beaten, but I just can’t give him this crown if he doesn’t step in against Brock or Randy or Mir, or even Overeem. Anderson has been in with the best of the best, destroyed them, and strives for more…he WANTED to move up to 205 because he wanted better competition. That’s not a knock on Sylvia and Arlovski, but at this point, they are rather removed from their days being at the top of their game.
I agree with you for the most part on the Faber front…what he’s done at 145 is not human. I guess I want to see how he responds on a more long-term basis after the loss to Brown…he’s fought Pulver again, which isn’t a huge test in my mind, as Pulver is clearly on the down stretch of his career. Lets see his next fight, then I’ll put your bromance in this conversation.
- TyI guess I’m going to be a bit of a homer Pat and say GSP is the best pound-for-pound fighter in MMA at the moment. I think the thing that sets him apart is his ability to improve his mental game. It’s obvious that after his loss to Sera that he’s made a concious decision to not only be ready physically, but mentally as well. If he beats Penn, I’m going to dub him the Tiger Woods of the UFC.
I don’t think I want to include a fighter such as Fedor since I haven’t seen him fight, but I also don’t want to champion a fighter who has not fought the best in the world and the best fighters in the world are in the UFC. I’d love to see a Fedor/Lesnar matchup. I truly believe Lesnar’s weakness is his conditioning…..he was open-mouthed in the 1st round against Couture.
If I didn’t give GSP my homer vote, it would go to Silva. He has devastating knockout power and never seems to allow himself to get into trouble. Another fighter that has learned to master the mental with the physical.
PS: I don’t think you’re being that much of a “homer” though Darren…it’s so close in my mind between GSP and Anderson. It just comes down to the fact that I just can’t get back how consistently dominating Anderson is on every single night he fights. It’s not even a question anymore. I’m with you on Fedor…fight the best guys period and then he’s it, because he really is a cyborg. Lesnar is going to continue to improve in that aspect, but it’s going to have to come a little way because you know his next fight against Mir is going to be high paced. Mir pushed it hard against Nog, and will do the same against Brock.
- DarrenFedor has never been beaten, by anyone. His one loss came because Pride needed a winner in a tournament format otherwise it would have been a no contest. Fedor hands down, best pound for pound fighter now, and the best Mixed Martial Artist in history. You guys drink the UFC Kool-Aid when it comes to heavyweights. There are just as many great heavyweights , even more, outside of the UFC then in it.
Do you guys not understand that Fedor knocked out a guy in mid-air? That’s movie stuff. Fedor is God….nuff said.
PS: All we’re saying is that we want to see Fedor fight in the UFC against the rest of the top heavyweights. I don’t dispute that Fedor is unreal, and the ease in his wins is unbelievable. It’s not drinking the Kool-Aid, it’s just an appetite to see more, that’s all.
- MarkyboyI can’t believe you don’t have that big dude Kimbo slice as part of your list…. hahahahaha. No, seriously, it’s gotta be Anderson. He just dominates.
PS: Seriously dude, I want to see Kimbo take Dana White up on his offer and go be a contestent on The Ultimate Fighter. The only problem I have with people calling Kimbo a “fraud” is that he got KO’d…well, everyone gets KO’ed! I still think he’s garbage, but I’d like to see him fight again. That’s another vote for Anderson!
- levi