A. Silva ends his career as one of the best in history. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Engraving your name in the history of a sport is not an easy task for any athlete, especially when it comes to a sport as cruel as MMA. Last Saturday (31), fans of mixed martial arts watched the end of one of the most spectacular cycles in the history of the sport. Anderson Silva He retired at 45 and left open a discussion that may never end: was he the best of all time?
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Anderson's numbers speak for themselves. There were 46 professional presentations in mixed martial arts, with several records and belts that won't let him lie.
However, the Brazilian's place on the shelf among the best in the sport divides opinions. 'Spider' was bigger than Jon Jones? What about Georges St-Pierre? There is space for Khabib Nurmagomedov?
Thinking about getting as close as possible to a common decision, our team analyzed the athletes' numbers and the decision is up to you.
Anderson Silva: 34-11-1
A. Silva is the biggest name in the history of Brazilian MMA. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Born in São Paulo, Anderson began his MMA career in the 90s, participating in the 'Brazilian Freestyle Circuit 1. The 'Spider' participated in the time when athletes fought more than one confrontation in the same event. In his debut in the sport, in 1997, the Brazilian did well by defeating Raimundo Pinheiro (submission) and Fabrício Camões (knockout) in a row. It was the beginning of Silva's history in the sport.
The Brazilian's first belt came in 2000, when Anderson went to Japan to challenge the dangerous Hayato Sakurai – a fight that, according to the São Paulo native, is the most important of his career. In the duel, 'Spider' shocked fans for the first time. The underdog in the dispute, the athlete overcame his rival and took the Shooto middleweight belt from the Japanese.
Before arriving in the UFC, Silva was also Cage Rage champion, when he beat Lee Murray, in 2004. Worldwide fame would come in 2006, when, already wearing Ultimate gloves, he brutalized the then middleweight leader Rich Franklin, beginning his reign longest in the company's history.
Within the UFC, Anderson achieved something difficult at any time. In a sport where any mistake can be fatal, the Brazilian achieved an undefeated streak of 16 clashes, which was only ended in the fateful event of 2013, when 'Spider' saw his reign crumble in the duel against Chris Weidman.
At the end of his career, after an injury that would change his life forever, also in 2013, Anderson was unable to repeat the same shows from previous years. From 2015 to 2020, there were seven commitments and only one positive result, in 2017, when she hit Derek Brunson.
Anderson then ended his career at 45 years old, with 34 wins, 11 losses and one fight without results.
Jon Jones: 26-1-1
J. Jones will try, in 2021, to win his second title in different divisions. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC
Considered one of the greatest phenomena that sport has ever created, Jon Jones He is certainly an athlete who will forever be on the list of the best. Aggressive, dominant, versatile and competent, the North American, under 30 years old, has secured a prominent place in the history of MMA.
'Bones' began his career in 2008, more than 10 years after Anderson Silva. At the time, the North American, then 21 years old, made his calling card by knocking out Brad Bernard in less than 2m, for Fight Family Promotion (FFP) Untamed 20. His first belt came five appearances later, at the USKBA, when he ran over Moses Gabin.
In 2008 alone, Jones reached an impressive seven commitments. Catching the attention of UFC management after dominant and undisputed victories, the American debuted in the company chaired by Dana White against Brazilian André Gusmão. On that occasion, Jon beat his rival on points and, six fights later, he would be facing Mauritius Shogun, playing for the light heavyweight belt (93kg.).
To reach Shogun, Jones defeated names like Stephan bonnar, Brandon Vera and Ryan bader. Against Maurício, brutality. One of the greatest Brazilian idols in the history of MMA, the Curitiba native was unable to stand up to the young man who was trying to show his qualities to the world. Jones needed three rounds to settle the score against the Pride legend and become the youngest champion in the organization's history, aged 23.
With an undeniable trajectory inside the octagon, 'Bones' life outside the sport also attracted attention. With a history of drug use, doping and traffic accidents, Jon was marked in the police pages in some situations.
Even with problems dealing with fame and money, Jones has never lost a fight since winning the title. In total, there were 11 belt defenses, equaling the record for Demetrious Johnson.
Recently, 'Bones' abandoned his position as light heavyweight champion to test himself in the 120,2kg category. The North American's idea is to join the select group of fighters who have won two titles for the company.
Today, Jones, aged 33, has 26 wins, one defeat and one match without result. His only setback came in 2009, when he lost to Matt Hammil by throwing illegal elbows. Last year, Dana White stated that he was trying to reverse his negative result, as he believes that Jon was not defeated in that confrontation and, therefore, remains undefeated in his career.
Georges St-Pierre: 26-2
GSP in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter ufc_europe
In the role of historic athletes, the attire of one of the kings of MMA fits Georges St-Pierre like a glove. Technical, pragmatic and efficient like few others, the athlete has already secured his name in the temple of legends. There are those who criticize the Canadian's fighting style, which doesn't always put on a show, but the fighter's ability to completely dominate his rivals over the years is indisputable.
St-Pierre needed little time to win his first title. Debuting in mixed martial arts in January 2001, the Canadian debuted with a triumph over Ivan Menjivar, with a knockout in the first round, at Ultimate Combat Challenge (UCC) 7. In his second appearance for the company, Georges would already compete and win the title . On that occasion, the athlete overcame Justin Bruckmann with an armbar. Three commitments later, the contract with the UFC.
His debut in Ultimate was in January 2004, in a duel against Karo Parisyan. The fight was won by Georges on points and, one performance later, he challenged for the vacant welterweight belt (up to 77kg.) against Matt hugs. Against the American, St-Pierre ended up being unsuccessful and lost by submission. Instead of giving up, the Canadian began one of the greatest comebacks ever seen in the history of the sport.
After being defeated by Hughes, Georges did not rest until he got his rematch. It took five positive results in a row until he once again had the chance to face his first tormentor. The repeat of the 2004 clash took place almost two years later, at UFC 65. This time, the Canadian proved that, in fact, he was a different athlete, and won the title with a knockout in the second round.
St-Pierre starred in an episode that is still remembered today as one of the biggest upsets in the history of Ultimate. In his first title defense, in 2007, the Canadian was surprised by Matt Serra with a series of punches and ended up knocked out in the first round. Georges would regain his position as champion against Serra himself, in the same year, submitting his rival in the second round.
After the scare in his first title defense, St-Pierre never lost again. There were 13 commitments and no defeats. The athlete even won the middleweight belt in 2017, beating the then champion, Michael Bisping, and joining the gallery of athletes who held two belts in different divisions. After winning his second title, Georges did not fight again.
Last year, the Canadian announced his permanent retirement from the sport. The athlete, now 39 years old, however, is rehearsing a return for a superfight against the linear lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg.), Khabib Nurmagomedov, which will be analyzed in the next topic.
Throughout his career, St-Pierre achieved a record of 26 wins and two losses as a professional in mixed martial arts.
Khabib Nurmagomedov: 29-0
K. Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA after the UFC 254. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
If retiring undefeated is synonymous with being the best, we shouldn't even analyze the numbers of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Absolute Ultimate lightweight champion and known as one of the biggest names in the recent history of the sport, the Russian enchanted the world with his predictable but fatal style. A master of grappling, the 'Eagle' was introduced to martial arts since he was a child, encouraged by his father, coach and mentor, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
Khabib debuted in MMA in September 2008, in a clash against Vusal Bayramov, in the CSFU: Champions League, held in Poland. Long in his debut, a submission in the first round.
The Russian's first title came the following year, when he won the M1 – Selection tournament, also finishing. This time the victim was Shahbulat Shamhalaev. The contest represented the seventh appearance in Khabib's career.
Nurmagomedov's UFC debut came in January 2012, when he defeated Kamal Shalorus with a rear naked choke, in his first fight in the United States. It took eight more opponents for the Russian to win his dream title fight, and it came in 2018, against To the fifth.
When he won the title, Khabib's numbers were already impressive. Until then, the 'Eagle' had competed in 26 matches and beat almost all of its rivals without the slightest problem. His biggest scare came when he faced Brazilian Gleison Tibau, in 2012, but even so, in the judges' decision, Nurmagomedov took the fight by unanimous decision.
In his first title defense, Khabib met his biggest rival of his career, an opponent he will certainly have for life. Conor McGregor emerged as the perfect antagonist for the Russian, but, even with his refined technique and owner of one of the greatest knockout powers in the company, the Irishman was no match for Nurmagomedov and succumbed with a submission in the fourth round of UFC 229, in 2018 – the biggest audience event in the history of sport.
After facing and beating the 'Notorious', Khabib ended up suspended for nine months, punished for causing widespread confusion after UFC 229. Away from Ultimate, the company created an interim belt and, upon his return, the Russian regained his position by unifying the title against Dustin poirierIn 2019.
In 2020, Nurmagomedov also stepped away from the octagon due to the coronavirus pandemic. Once again, an interim belt was created and, now, Khabib would need to go through what, on paper, would be his biggest opponent to date: Justin gaethje.
Against Gaethje, however, no surprises. The Russian dominated, submitted and erased his rival in just two rounds. After the duel, which marked the main fight of the UFC 254, the 'Eagle' announced his retirement from the sport.
Nurmagomedov left MMA with 29 wins and without tasting defeat.
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