IF you’re a fan of mixed martial arts, then Saturday, July 19 (Sunday, July 20 in Manila) was a great day because the debuting MMA promotion Affliction unleashed its first pay-per-view, Affliction: Banned, while the reigning MMA promotion, Ultimate Fighting Championship, countered this challenge by quickly putting together the UFC Fight Night 14 card, which it showed for free on Spike TV on the same day.
The Affliction: Banned main event featured the man many MMA aficionados consider the best heavyweight fighter and arguably the best MMA fighter of all time, Russia’s legendary Fedor Emelianenko. Going up against him was the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, with the winner becoming the first World Alliance of Mixed Martial arts heavyweight champ. This was the icing on what was a great card that included Andrei Arlovski, Josh Barnett, Pedro Rizzo, Matt Lindland, Renato Sobral, and one of my all-time faves, Vitor Belfort.
Meanwhile, the main event for UFC Fight Night 14 was the UFC’s main star and the man being touted as the current best pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world, Anderson Silva, the UFC middleweight champion, who was making his debut in the light heavyweight division. I’m a huge Silva fan, and this guy has been dominant in the UFC middleweight division, but even though I felt he would win against James Irvin (best known for knocking out Houston Alexander in eight seconds), I have to admit I was wondering how wise it was for Silva to accept a bout in a higher weight class on short notice.
Well, Silva proved critics wrong when he took just 61 seconds to beat Irvin. After catching a kick from Irvin, Silva uncorked a straight right that practically knocked out The Sandman. Silva then quickly followed it up with a brutal ground and pound to finish the fight.
Pretty impressive, particularly if you saw that nasty cut under Irvin’s right eye after this fight.
As much of a Silva fan as I am, however, what Fedor did was more impressive — in fact, downright unbelievable. I’ve never liked Tim Sylvia, but give credit where credit is due, he’s one of the best heavyweights and was a two-time UFC champ.
So you can imagine how shocking it was to see Fedor immediately stunning Tim with hard punches, taking his back, and making the big man tap out to a rear naked choke.
All in just 36 seconds.
Wow!
It’s hard to see that performance and not be awed. Even the UFC head honcho Dana White, who has consistently belittled Fedor because he says the Russian hasn’t fought a quality fighter in years (Fedor was the Pride FC heavyweight champ from 2003 until it closed in 2007. UFC had bought its former rival, and it seemed that the UFC would be bringing in Fedor but talks bogged down.), had to admit he was impressed, though he still insisted Silva was the best pound-for-pound MMA fighter today.
With that victory, people are now waiting for a Fedor-Randy Couture fight — Randy was there at Affliction: Banned, and went in the ring after Fedor said he would like to fight Randy next. Thing is, Randy is still locked in a contract dispute with UFC, and though he has resigned from the UFC, he is still technically the UFC heavyweight champion, though Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is the interim heavyweight champion (Nogueira, by the way, was the Pride FC heavyweight champ from 2001 to 2003, before he was dethroned by, you guessed it, Fedor). Randy has said that the only person that would make sense for him to fight is Fedor — that’s one of the reasons he wanted to leave the UFC — but this whole mess is convoluted right now.
Back in the day, MMA had no weight classes, and you could settle who was the better fighter by actually having Fedor and Anderson Silva go at it. The thing is, Silva is a middleweight who now plans to go up and down weight classes to fight light heavyweights while defending the middleweight championship. Fedor is a heavyweight. Thus the need to talk about the pound-for-pound best MMA fighter.
How about you, who do you think is the best, Fedor or Anderson Silva? Or do you believe someone else is the best pound-for-pound MMA fighter?
Whatever may be the case, right now the indisputable fact is that both Fedor and Anderson Silva are simply lording it over in their respective divisions, and are simply competing on a different level.
43 Feedbacks on "Who’s the best, Fedor or Anderson Silva?"
Ola
Fedor is incredible. No one even comes close to him at this time. He makes it look so easy.
Joey Alarilla
@ola hehe yeah, to quote what tim sylvia said after the fight: “I don’t even think he’s human.”
Jules
In my view, Fedor is clearly the greatest fighter of all time and the best p4p to boot. Among the current roster of fighters, Anderson is outstanding, but second to Fedor. GSP is a solid third.
mirko_crocop
Fedor is the greatest mma fighter of all. I’ve been following Fedor since his days in RINGS and Pride. He has beaten the best heavyweights in Pride, 2x against NOG, and of course Mirko Crocop (my favorite MMA fighter). The Last Emperor is the Michael Jordan of MMA.
jagger
Who’s the best, Fedor or Silva? You gotta be kidding! Don’t get me wrong I think Silva is awesome and the best in the UFC but he is not even in the same dimension as Fedor. Why do people always have to post some stupid thing like this.? I guess ignorance goes a long way even when reporting the news!
Iano
There are great fighters and then there is Fedor.
I believe A. Silva is the top of the Great fighters.
However, Fedor is as far away from the ‘great MMA fighters’ as the greats are from the rookies.
the truth
I also think fedor is the best fighter in the world. However, i also think anderson silva is the best pound for pound fighter in the world. If fedor is the micheal jordan of mma, then anderson is the kobe. It’s only a matter of time before he is better. Also, let me ask you, can fedor fight in to different weight classes and have the same results? fedor is the best (for now) and anderson silva is the best pound for pound…
Fedor
I know that this Guy isn’t even in Fedor league but I would love to see Fedor School Kimbo Slice. I reckon that should happen after Fedor vs. Randy Couture.
anderson silva
anderson silva is a better fighter because he can fight great in 2 different weight classes and still dominate. fedor has not, and can not. besides.. fedor has bloated his stats by fighting chumps.. sure he has a couple good wins over legit fighters, but 70% of his wins come from chumps. look it up. if silva and fedor both meet at the 205 weight class, then you’ll see for yourself.. but i doubt fedor is capable of losing that weight if he wanted to.
tank abbott
silva is not the best fighter in the world.. and fedor is not.. because I’m the best fighter in the world!
lek
Fedor is undoubtedly the best! Never been beaten except for the questionable technical loss to a Japanese fighter, which he destroyed on their rematch. Silva is a great fighter but not in the same caliber as Fedor. Fedor rules!
mirko_crocop
The question is can Silva go to up to heavyweight and beat Fedor? Fedor is just 6 feet tall, and around 230-240 lbs, Silva is even taller than him. Fedor has beaten guys that are bigger than him. Fedor has beaten elite K-1 fighters, Cro-Cop, Hunt, not to mention Sammy Schilt. Can Silva beat an elite K-1 figher in stand-up, I guess not…
mirko_crocop
Let see if Silva can beat top 205 guys like, Axe Murder, Lyoto Machida, Lil Nog, or even Rampage. yeah he fought in 2 weight division, but c’mon Irvin is not even in top 10 or top 20 in 205 division.
Tom
Fedor is awesome. I have been a Fedor fan since the pride days, but even I did not expect how totally he would obliterate Tim Sylvia.
Anderson Silva is awesome, too. Look at Rich Franklin or anyone else who’s dared to cross his path in MMA (except for that incredible shot by Ryo Chonan… lucky b*****d
)
They’re both untouchable in their respective weight divisions.
Impossible to make comparisons, though. Silva will not on 30 pounds to meet Fedor and I’m sure Fedor isn’t going to shed any of his beloved blubber either. Seems to be serving him well though - extra padding makes it harder to get hurt.
A bit like comparing a sniper rifle and an elephant gun. Both get the job done…
Google “brazilians united” and check out the first article - in the PRIDE days the entire Brazilian team was trying to stop Fedor - they couldn’t.
Tom
And yes, I would love to see Fedor walk through Kimbo. It would be hard to knock Kimbo out and Fedor never bothers to knock people out after they’ve run out of steam. Fedor would take Kimbo out by kimura or armbar in about half a minute of the first round. But that of course will never happen if Brett Rogers gets his heavy hands on Kimbo first….
Iano
It’s odd, but Anderson Silva is actually older than Fedor. I don’t ever see a time that he will ever be better than Fedor. I do see Anderson lose at 205 some day though.
Hard to believe but Fedor is actually getting better. He’s going to be putting away his future competition very quickly.
He admitted to an Affliction announcer that he used to feel bad on beating on his opponents so early in a match and eased up on them. When they take advantage, he finishes them.
He doesn’t do that anymore.
Fedor is PFP #1. And about divisions, he does fight super heavyweights 260 lbs+. They may not be top competition, but neither is Irvin.
Tom
True - I always thought Silva was around 27-28 but he’s actually 34. Which is another reason he’s unlikely to move up divisions. Unless he just gets plain fat, which is also unlikely given his constitution
Asus
That would be a very interesting fight, Fedor vs Couture. Couture left as a champion while Fedor returned with a very impressive win. If that fight could be made, I have my money on Fedor and that would be like passing of the crown to “The Last Emeperor”.
It would be fun to see Kimbo Slice get a beat down from a fighter with the calibre of Fedor or Couture
AL
If you had to put any fighter in the ring against a grizzly bear, you would think that fedor would have the best chance…
Jupiter
I think fedor is the best. Fedor vs Randy will be one heck of a fight.
craig
The whole weight division thing makes me laugh when it is brought up. Fedor fights guys that are 150 lbs heavier than him. Silva can make no such claim. Hes good, but hes lost plenty of times. The guy just isnt in the same class as Fedor.
Anderson Silva is an MMA star. Fedor is a living legend.
Apollo
Fedor is the greatest MMA fighter who ever lived, but that’s not really the debate. All this noise is coming from Dana White, who has made a number of SERIOUS public relations blunders. That’s why so many people have jumped ship from UFC! Did you see all the UFC guys at the Affliction card? Randy was there, Tito, others, and the current reigning heavyweight champ of UFC (who Fedor fought and destroyed twice). Dana has decimated the UFC - now all that have is GSP, Anderson and BJ Penn. They have no top-flight heavyweights - the most important division of all for any MMA association. I love the UFC, but I also think there should be competition - not a monopoly, which is what Dana wants. He’s so arrogant that he makes major PR mistakes - so as a first thing, something to stop the hemoraging of the UFC, Dana should just stop talking in the media and hire a skilled PR. That’s what this is all really all about, the UFC wanting a monopoly in MMA.
Jesse
Fedor is the best pound for pound fighter and the best fighter period. as far as i’ve seen. i don’t know anyone who could be favored to beat him.. on the planet let alone in his weight class.
i think he’s going to destroy couture.. obviously.. it’s a waste of a fight i’d rather see fedor v arlovski or even barnett or in the ufc..
Jerry Odom
Fedor vs. Anderson would be an excellent fight. I would rather see that than Fedor vs. Randy. If Fedor does away with Randy Cotoure and Anderson continues to lack competition look for sights to be set on one another.
real mma
For those wiseasses who say Fedor doesnt fight in 2 weight classes like Silva are dead wrong..
Fedor has fought super heavyweights who are more than 100 lbs heavier than him and guys 30-40 pounds lighter in Prides open weight class, and whooped all their asses!
Silva also fought in Pride for a while, but was never champ..
If you think Silva is better p4p, I suggest you stop taking drugs.. its not even close
tom
No one ever gives Randy the chance and I still put my $ on Fedor, but if anybody can figure out a way to beat Fedor, it’s the Natural.
Alex
You can’t put Silva in the same sentence as Fedor. Silva needs to beat GSP before being in that category. He hasn’t, end of story.
Bart
Its a tough call who is the best pound for pound fighter. Judging players in the different weight divisions is a little bit like comparing apples to oranges.
Grudgingly, I have to give it to Fedor (I’m not a fan - fights too unbalanced). I don’t want to believe he’s “inhuman” like Sylvia was quoted as saying, but given the evidence and history - how could you not?
JAmes
Anderson Silva Never fought the quality of opponents than Fedor does..look at the resume ..Silva fought in Pride and Lost to Japanese lightweights 3 times.Now fedor Got 28-1-1..1 lose got freak accident and avenge with ease..the 1 no contest with minotauro its just head butt and fedor was way ahead on the score card.but the pride fc called it a no contest..
tzed
It’s not really like comparing apples to oranges because they weigh around the same.
Fedor has come into fights as low as 225, and does not cut weight.
Silva cuts from about 220 to get to 185. There is likely only a little more than a 10 lbs difference between the two. Fedor regularly fights guys 20-90 lbs heavier.
The two can fight at a catchweight at 215 or something, and it wouldn’t be that sizable of weight disadvantage.
xxxsettripxxx
well i think that uriah faber should be in the best poud for pound talks.what this man does in the cage is nothing short of amazing.thats if where talking outside of the ufc.i’m surpise that mma fans never mention his name
xxxsettripxxx
i hope he comes to the ufc and give’s tyson griffin a little payback.other then that the guy is the total package.
john Appleseed
I’d rather see fedor v randy. Fedor v silva would not be as great a fight as most people think–silva really should fight at light HW but cuts down to MW to face weaker competition. He isnt powerful enough to cut it with fedor, and if they fight I hope fedor tears off his arm, jumps over the ropes and beats Dana white to death with it
mirko_crocop
urijah faber is good but he is nowhere near BJ Penn. Tyson Griffin is good, i think the lightweight division is really stack. Not to mention there are lots of good lightweights in japan.(Gomi,Kawajiri, Hansen “HellBoy”, just won the Dream Lightweight GP,etc.)
Urijah Faber will be destroyed if he ever fights Gomi or Penn.
mirko_crocop
My P4P List
1. Fedor ” The Last Emperor ” Emelianenko
2. Anderson “Spider” Silva
3. Georges “Rush” St. Pierre
4. BJ “Prodigy” Penn
5. Matt Hughes - The Greatest Welterweight
6. Randy “The Natural” Couture - He’s 45 and beat Slyvia.
ying
fedor, gsp, anderson silva, bj penn, faber, torres have proven to be the best at their weight classes, in 205 it’s a big mess, and noones bene consistently dominant, machida and thiago silva have been lookin good, but they havn’t fought enough big names to set their placing. , aside from this there’s still notable names who could still stop any of these guys just liek serra stopped gsp. crocop, gomi, wanderlei, alexander emielienko, shogun, barnett, bispings lookin sick at 185,
mark
why dont they fight at catch weight? fedor isnt the biggest heavyweight around, he could fight at 210 and silva walks around at 215, so let them fight at 210! that would be awesome! i really cant tell who the best is but i really am a big fan of both of them! but my list goes something like…fedor and silva (1 & 2), gsp (3)!
Richie Ybs
Randy is the best and he can beat Fedor even at his age. I have not seen a man so humble but so great as him in the UFC.
Jonathan
You can talk about Fedor vs. Silva till you’re blue in the face but the fact of the matter is, Dana White will never let one of his fighters fight someone outside the UFC. So keep dreaming people. If he won’t let Randy fight Fedor which would be the biggest fight in history, why should he let Silva?
Jonathan
I don’t trust a thing Dana White says anymore, he has no credibility. It wasn’t that long he was calling Fedor an overrated bum, remember? He insulted Fedor so much that Fedor issued a letter saying he wouldn’t tolerate it anymore. And Dana isn’t going to keep Anderson in the Light heavyweight division because he’s afraid he’ll lose against the likes of Liddell, Jackson, Wanderlei, Rua, or Forrest. And if that happens, there goes his weak claim to having the best P4P fighter in the world.
john table
fedor is the best no dout danna white just doesn’t want ufc to look bad if he doesn’t have the best fighter
mason mitchell
before randy couture vs fedor he should vs antonio nogueria because all three have fought and beat tim slyvia and fedor already beat noguria
fedor is the best
Mark
Fedor is incredible, I really dont think Coutore could beat him, Anderson Silva is also incredible BUT if silva-fedor where to ever fight, there would only be 1 outcome, Silva just isnt powerful to stand a chance against him, Fedor would beat him to the ground like a bitch and then arm bar him, over in 1 round.
Please Leave a Comment!