Slome
19-07-2010, 02:32
The Top 10 Brazilian Fighters
10. José Aldo
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/467/Jose_Aldo320x520_1_display_image.jpg?1279235612
Current Record: 17-1
The current champion of the WEC featherweight division, José Aldo, is possibly the best Brazilian in the world under 25. His domination of the WEC featherweight division is quite amazing, especially when you consider that one of his opponents, Urijah Faber, hadn't lost a fight in five years.
The guy who handed Faber his first loss in that time period? Well, it wasn't Aldo. The man goes by the name of Mike Brown, and it only took José Aldo a round to stop him.
At this stage of his career, he is already being compared to Anderson Silva, and in all honesty, that is a fair comparison. José Aldo holds a technical mastery of Muay Thai, has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and lands his punches faster and meaner than anyone in his division.
It wouldn't be shocking to anyone if José Aldo has a very, very long winning streak in his future.
9. Vitor Belfort
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/491/UFC43Event061_display_image.jpg?1279236383
Current record: 19-8
Vitor Belfort, if not for his inconsistency (and losses to Couture and Tito Ortiz), would have been well on his way towards a fantastic career. As it stands, he holds notable wins over Heath Herring, Wanderlei Silva, Gilbert Yvel, and Rich Franklin.
In addition to a black belt in BJJ, Belfort also has some of the fastest hands in the sport (see the video below), and he can move twice as fast as most men. He is only 33, and if he wins the UFC middleweight championship, it would not be improbable for him to go on a run and cement his place in the UFC Hall of Fame.
8. Lyoto Machida
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/499/lyoto_display_image.jpg?1279236794
Current record: 16-1
After UFC 98, Lyoto Machida looked to be unstoppable. That night, he had beaten one of the best light-heavyweights in the world, and he had done so in dominating fashion.
A master of Shotokan karate and a black belt in BJJ, Machida seemed to have the skill set to run through everyone in the division in any way necessary. His striking was truly a puzzle to figure out. His ground game was relatively unknown, and no one, not even heavy-handed Rashad Evans, had ever been able to knock him down or even steal a round from him.
Although he recently suffered a loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Machida is still considered one of the best in the world, and rightfully so.
7. Ricardo Arona
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/503/Arona-Eastman_display_image.jpg?1279237473
Current record: 14-5
Although not known for his finishing skills, Ricardo Arona has been in some tough fights with some of the best fighters in the world, and he has come out on top in the majority of them. He holds notable wins over Alistair Overeem, Jeremy Horn, Wanderlei Silva, Dan Henderson, Guy Mezger, and Kazushi Sakuraba as well as Murilo Rua.
Although he is not known primarily for his striking, he is known for being an ace when it comes to the ground-and-pound, and his nine wins by decision can testify to that. He also holds a black belt in BJJ, and is known as one of the more gifted grapplers in the world. He was undefeated in the Abu-Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC).
Unfortunately, his greatest highlight is getting owned by Quinton Jackson. For your viewing pleasure, I've included it in this slide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwKpzKZOpe4&feature=player_embedded
6. Rickson Gracie
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/513/rickson_display_image.jpg?1279238338
Current record: 11-0
Although he retired before MMA became as competitive as it is today, Rickson, along with his half brother Royce, established Gracie jiu-jitsu as a legitimate competitor with Judo and freestyle wrestling as a grappling art.
He won every one of his fights by way of submission, and even claims that he is 100 percent sure that he would beat Fedor Emelianenko in a fight. Due to the fact that he is 51, and retired, I have the feeling we may never know for sure.
10. José Aldo
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/467/Jose_Aldo320x520_1_display_image.jpg?1279235612
Current Record: 17-1
The current champion of the WEC featherweight division, José Aldo, is possibly the best Brazilian in the world under 25. His domination of the WEC featherweight division is quite amazing, especially when you consider that one of his opponents, Urijah Faber, hadn't lost a fight in five years.
The guy who handed Faber his first loss in that time period? Well, it wasn't Aldo. The man goes by the name of Mike Brown, and it only took José Aldo a round to stop him.
At this stage of his career, he is already being compared to Anderson Silva, and in all honesty, that is a fair comparison. José Aldo holds a technical mastery of Muay Thai, has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and lands his punches faster and meaner than anyone in his division.
It wouldn't be shocking to anyone if José Aldo has a very, very long winning streak in his future.
9. Vitor Belfort
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/491/UFC43Event061_display_image.jpg?1279236383
Current record: 19-8
Vitor Belfort, if not for his inconsistency (and losses to Couture and Tito Ortiz), would have been well on his way towards a fantastic career. As it stands, he holds notable wins over Heath Herring, Wanderlei Silva, Gilbert Yvel, and Rich Franklin.
In addition to a black belt in BJJ, Belfort also has some of the fastest hands in the sport (see the video below), and he can move twice as fast as most men. He is only 33, and if he wins the UFC middleweight championship, it would not be improbable for him to go on a run and cement his place in the UFC Hall of Fame.
8. Lyoto Machida
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/499/lyoto_display_image.jpg?1279236794
Current record: 16-1
After UFC 98, Lyoto Machida looked to be unstoppable. That night, he had beaten one of the best light-heavyweights in the world, and he had done so in dominating fashion.
A master of Shotokan karate and a black belt in BJJ, Machida seemed to have the skill set to run through everyone in the division in any way necessary. His striking was truly a puzzle to figure out. His ground game was relatively unknown, and no one, not even heavy-handed Rashad Evans, had ever been able to knock him down or even steal a round from him.
Although he recently suffered a loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Machida is still considered one of the best in the world, and rightfully so.
7. Ricardo Arona
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/503/Arona-Eastman_display_image.jpg?1279237473
Current record: 14-5
Although not known for his finishing skills, Ricardo Arona has been in some tough fights with some of the best fighters in the world, and he has come out on top in the majority of them. He holds notable wins over Alistair Overeem, Jeremy Horn, Wanderlei Silva, Dan Henderson, Guy Mezger, and Kazushi Sakuraba as well as Murilo Rua.
Although he is not known primarily for his striking, he is known for being an ace when it comes to the ground-and-pound, and his nine wins by decision can testify to that. He also holds a black belt in BJJ, and is known as one of the more gifted grapplers in the world. He was undefeated in the Abu-Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC).
Unfortunately, his greatest highlight is getting owned by Quinton Jackson. For your viewing pleasure, I've included it in this slide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwKpzKZOpe4&feature=player_embedded
6. Rickson Gracie
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/513/rickson_display_image.jpg?1279238338
Current record: 11-0
Although he retired before MMA became as competitive as it is today, Rickson, along with his half brother Royce, established Gracie jiu-jitsu as a legitimate competitor with Judo and freestyle wrestling as a grappling art.
He won every one of his fights by way of submission, and even claims that he is 100 percent sure that he would beat Fedor Emelianenko in a fight. Due to the fact that he is 51, and retired, I have the feeling we may never know for sure.