I need to tell you that when I decided to write down my top 10 list, I didn't think it would take too long. I believed that I could easily pick 10 fighters that were heads and shoulders above the pack. It wasn't that easy. I'm sure that there will be a lot of people who disagree with my picks, but isn't that the point, to start a discussion of who's the best and who is just there for a paycheck?
The 10th best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world. This was the toughest position to choose, really there could be 4 or 5 guys tied for this position, but I needed to choose one and it was Mark "The Hammer" Coleman. Mark Coleman was one of MMA's pioneers, he established ground and pound as a valid MMA skill. In fact, Mark is still one of the most intense fighters in the game. Unfortunately his submission skills (both offensive and defensive) have not improved enough to be competitive with the top fighters in the world.
The 9th best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world Rashad Evans is my pick for fighter number 9. Rashad is still relatively new to the fight game and his natural athletic ability is as good as it gets. With time Rashad will move much closer to the head of the pack, but for now, congratulations Rashad on your success and making it to the list!
The 8th best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world Brandon "The Truth" Vera is certainly one of the most exciting heavyweight fighters in the UFC right now and I was tempted to put him in the top 5. However, he needs to beat a more substantial fighter than Frank Mir. While I have the utmost respect for Frank Mir, it's apparent to me that he's not the same fighter that he was before his accident. I believe that Brandon will be top 5 on next years list. He's one quality win away from that (in my eyes).
The 7th best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world Tim Silvia is the UFC's heavyweight champion. Why is he only ranked #7, the only explanation I have is that I've never personally met anyone who likes to watch Tim Silvia fight. He keeps on winning, but I'm never impressed with his performances. Sorry Tim, that's the way it is, you sit at number seven and if you don't start winning fights in a more crowd pleasing manner, I'm afraid you'll drop off the top 10 entirely.
The 6th best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world It might surprise you that I put former K-1 fighter Mark Hunt in the top 10. It should surprise you that I put him above Tim Silvia, but I have my reasons. Last year Mark Hunt beat Mirko Cro Cop (by a very close decision) and he also held strong with Fedor Emelianenko, even on the ground, in the most recent Pride event.
The 5th best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world Josh Barnett is my pick for the 5th best MMA heavyweight fighter in the world. Josh says his style is "pro wrestling", but don't mistake his performances as fake. Barnett combines general toughness and strength with much improved stand up and a stellar ground game. His fights are always exciting and often bloody. Josh is a former UFC heavyweight champion with victories over the likes of Randy Couture.
The 4th best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world A year ago I would have put Andrei Arlovski in the top 3, maybe even top 2, but his losses to Tim Silvia have me wondering. I don't question Andrei's skills, he's an excellent stand up fighter with a strong ground game, I do question whether he is afraid of getting hit after loosing to Tim Silvia's by knockout. By the way, that is a fight he should have won, in my opinion Silvia got lucky (but he seems to do that a lot). I'm looking forward to seeing what 2007 has in store for Andrei.
The 3rd best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world Who in their right mind would argue that Mirko Cro Cop belongs in the top 3 heavyweight fighters in the world? Now that Mirko has joined the UFC it's clear that Tim Silvia's days as champion are numbered. Mirko will hold the UFC heavyweight title in 2007, I'd put money on that one. Mirko's strength is most certainly his striking, including the best high kicks in the business. Victim's of Cro Cop's left high kick is a list of MMA royalty...I wonder if he can get that kick 6 foot 7 (Tim Silvia's height).
Mixed martial arts, often referred to as MMA, is currently a growing phenomenon in the United States, though the sport has been popular in many other countries for decades. MMA brings together a diverse array of fighting disciplines into one competitive arena hence the sport's name. Regulated to ensure fighter safety, MMA now allows us to view a much richer human combat experience, pitting disciplines from around the globe against each other in the ultimate one on one competition. Often compared and contrasted to boxing, MMA offers dimensions not found in boxing such as take downs, kicks and submission holds. While there are many obscure disciplines and sub-styles, this article will outline the three broad combat situations that fighters find themselves in when competing in mixed martial arts.
When most people think of a fight, striking from a standing position is what immediately comes to mind. Indeed striking is a huge part of the sport of MMA, namely punches, kicks, knees and elbows. Most MMA organizations have restrictions on where fighters may strike an opponent and in what situation a strike is legal to apply. For instance, some organizations do not allow strikes to the back of the head or spine and disallow kicks to the head of a downed opponent. Rules such as these are helping the sport become more accepted by not only mainstream viewers, but state athletic commissions as well. Kickboxing, Boxing and Muay Thai are fighting disciplines that place heavy emphasis on striking, particularly from a standing position.
Some disciplines, in particular Muay Thai, rely on utilizing a standing position called ?the clinch? to control and ultimately defeat an adversary. The clinch involves gripping an opponent behind the neck or head, usually with fingers interlaced, and pulling forward and downward. From this position, fighters can utilize knees to the body or head and dictate the positioning of the opponent.
Another huge aspect of mixed martial arts is ground fighting. It is very common for a fight to end up on the ground at some point during the competition. Wrestlers usually favor attempting to get their foe to the ground so that submissions can be attempted. Taking a fight to the ground also nullifies much of an opponent's striking options and is usually a fighter's strategy when facing a superior striker. Once grounded and in a dominate position, strikes can be used (also known as ?ground and pound) or submissions can be applied.
Mixed martial arts incorporates so many unique fighting disciplines and strategies that mastering one could be a life long endeavor. Often, fighters will become familiar with other styles not necessarily so that they can utilize them, but so that they can defend against them. For instance, it isn't uncommon for strikers to learn submissions even if they never plan to use them. This enables the fighters to recognize and defend against holds that an opponent may be setting up or attempting.
For years, people have debated which fighting discipline is superior and MMA seems to be as close to a true proving ground as there is. So much depends on mastery and execution of the discipline by the individual fighter however, not simply the discipline itself, as is evidenced by the diverse fighters that have found success in this incredibly exciting sport.
Eric Pratt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Investments, Essential Oils and Video Games. Eric Pratt has been following different MMA promotions over the years and runs a free web community geared specifically towards the UFC. Visit to. Eric Pratt's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.