With my first post I figured I show my bias. Let the people out there know who I think is the best fighters at each weight class. There are websites out there who can offer up there own views of who is #1 and why, but this is my list. So without further adieu...
Heavyweight
#1 - Brock Lesnar
This guy is a freak. Strength, speed, and size. He has it all except a jiu-jitsu base. But that can be taught, the Herculean body this man was blessed with can't.
#2 - Frank Mir
There's no doubt that Frank is one of the best jiu-jitsu artists at the heavyweight level. Good on his feet and decent grappling put him close, but not that close the Lesnar's level.
#3 - Minotauro Nogueira
In my opinion, Nogueira's jiu-jitsu is better than Mir's, but obviously his stand up isn't. I want to put Nogueira above Mir personally, but aftertheir last fight, there's no argument here.
#4 - Randy Couture
UFC Hall of Famer and my personal hero. He's proven time and again that he's the baddest man on the planet. But with the new breed of super sized heavyweights, the great champions time is past.
#5 - Shane Carwin
This last UFC was the first fight I've missed in three years(damn economy), so I didn't see his fight with Gonzaga. But I would've put the winner here regardless.
Light Heavyweight
#1 - Rashad Evans
Undefeated in the UFC and no question the cream of the crop. Great wrestling complements the fastest hands in the game.
#2 - Lyoto Machida
I know that Rampage is getting the next title fight, but Lyoto should have. Only Evans present's a worthy challenge to Machida's precise, quick, and devastating Karate style.
#3 - Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
No disrespect to my boy, but it's Machida's time. Jackson might be the strongest light heavyweight in the game. His time at the Wolf's Lair has added focus to his already devastating stand up and wrestling foundation.
#4 - Forrest Griffin
I am a huge Forrest Griffin fan, but he won the title by 'pulling a Jardine' on Jackson. Great hands, great grappling, and very good jiu-jitsu make him dangerous to any opponent. This man has HEART!
#5 - Chuck Liddel
After a few setbacks the Iceman is back. He visited Tony Robbins to get his mind right, and if the Wanderlei Silva fight is a sign of things to come, watchout 205.
Middleweight
#1 - Anderson Silva
The best pound for pound fighter in the world, and maybe the best fighter period. This man has no weakness. Stand up, grappling, jiu-jitsu, and cardio are all grade A.
#2 - Dan Henderson
Wrestling is definitely Henderson's strength. Unorthodox stand up is solid, and confusing to some competitors. Being a former champion, he knows what it takes to succeed in the UFC.
#3 - Demian Maia
We're it not for Silva, I'd say this man had the best jiu-jitsu in the game. His stand up is decent, but jiu-jitsu is definitely his forte.
#4 - Nate Marquardt
Training right here in Denver, CO. Holler. Great jiu-jitsu base. Good stand up and surprising power in his fists and kicks. Good grappler too.
#5 - Patrick Cote
I know he's been hurt and Silva embarrassed him, but Silva embarrasses everyone. Second only to Silva in striking, his grappling and jiu-jitsu defense make him capable of handling any fighter at 185.
Welterweight
#1 - Georges St. Pierre
#2 in my overall ranking only to Anderson Silva. Stronger than a 170lb man should ever be. Fastest man in the game. Great stand up, grappling, and jiu-jitsu. Total package.
#2 - Thiago Alves
With all the hype I just gave St. Pierre, the same could be said of Alves. Strong in all fascets of the game. Their fight will determine the true champ at 170.
#3 - Jon Fitch
I heard a short part of a clip that said Jon Fitch was out of the UFC for not signing some type of deal. Hopefully thats not the case, but either way he's my #3. Strong, long, and ready to bomb. Second tier in all aspects compared to St. Pierre and Alves though.
#4 - Matt Hughes
He's fallen off a little bit, but only because he fights the best of the best. Superior grappling and jiu-jitsu. He lost a step and he's smaller than the new class of the division, but when he's good, he's great.
#5 - Carlos Condit
Still untested in the UFC, WEC champion Condit is a bit of a mystery. I've seen a few of his WEC fights and what I saw I liked. Furious pace and never back down attitude are great, but might get him in trouble with the big boys in UFC.
Lightweight
#1 - BJ Penn
Lightweight is Penn's home. At welterweight he's undersized, at lightweight he's a monster. Super quick, and EXTREMELY flexible, his stand up and jiu-jitsu are world class. If he's dedicated he's unbeatable at 145, if he's not, there are challengers...
#2 - Kenny Florian
It took so time for me to warm up to Florian. But he finally won me over. He's a complete package. Stand up, and grappling are decent and improving. Jiu-jitsu is world class, and his guard might be the best in the game when it comes to doing damage from the bottom.
#3 Sean Sherk
He's lost strength and size since being busted for steroid use, but he's still a force to be reckoned with. He's very fast and very, very strong. Haven't seen too much jiu-jitsu, but ususally he doesn't need it.
#4 - Diego Sanchez
Probably my favorite fighter in the division. He's a complete package but without and shining strengths. Standup, grappling, and jiu-jitsu are all solid. He's ready for any situation.
#5 - Frankie Edgar
I know Gray Maynard beat Edgar, but I still feel Edgar has more upside. He's very fast and has some of the best cardio in the game. He's a scrapper and shows alot of heart in each fight. If he inmproves his jiu-jitsu, watch out.
So there you have it, read, enjoy, dispute, rebuttal. I'd love to know what you guys think, so drop a comment. The next UFC is a Fight Night card on Spike TV so it's FREE baby! April 1 at 8:00E. Look for my next blog where I'll pick the winners. Thanks alot for checking me out, Love Life.
Keywords: UFC
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