Mission complete: Fedor knocks out Arlovski in one of the most talked about fights of the year. Photo: Sherdog
The most classic of American sport magazines, “Sports Illustrated”, put together a list of the best MMA fighters of the decade. Top spot went to Fedor Emelianenko, a Russian considered by many to be the best in the sport of all times, with a single blemish (by doctor’s intervention) on his 33-fight record.
While the United States produced half the fighters on the list, three Brazilians were included, with Anderson Silva placed at number two.
Other lists involving MMA were included in the article. Knockout of the decade, for example, went to Wanderlei Silva, for his spot-on knee to Quinton Jackson at Pride in 2004. Highest honors for submissions went to Ryo Chonan’s leg lock on Anderson Silva, also at Pride, in 2004.
The fight chosen as best of the decade was Fedor Emelianenko versus Mirko Cro Cop. Also on the list were Royce Gracie vs Sakuraba (1st fight) in third, Pedro Rizzo vs Randy Couture (1st fight) in fifth, Wanderlei Silva vs Quinton Jackson (2nd fight) in seventh and Minotauro vs Cro Cop in eighth.
Check out Sports Illustrated’s top-ten fighter list:
1- Fedor Emilianenko
2- Anderson Silva
3- Matt Hughes
4- Dan Henderson
5- Rodrigo Minotauro
6- Wanderlei Silva
7- Chuck Liddell
8- George St.Pierre
9- Randy Couture
10- BJ Penn
(Collaborator – Junior Samurai)