From early legends like Royce Gracie to double champs such as Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, here are the GOATs of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
R.M. SchneidermanAnderson Silva
Anderson Silva, born Anderson da Silva, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion known for his precise striking and unpredictable fighting style. He was born on April 14, 1975, in São Paulo, Brazil. Starting his professional career in 1997, Silva dominated the UFC middleweight division from 2006 to 2013, setting records for the longest title reign and most consecutive defenses. His approach combined Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and creative stand-up techniques, including his signature front kick knockout, which became a defining moment in MMA striking. Silva’s relevance in MMA comes from his ability to control fights with timing and fluidity, often finishing opponents with spectacular knockouts or submissions. Fans return to his fights for the combination of technical mastery and theatrical presence inside the octagon, which shifted the sport’s striking paradigm toward precision and creativity rather than sheer power. His career remains a blueprint for modern striking strategy in combat sports.
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The acronym GOAT gets thrown around rather casually these days, but we felt it was the right time to settle any and all arguments in eight popular sports.
Complex Sports
Take a look at the best MMA fighters by weight class in the UFC, from flyweight all the way up to the big boys at heavyweight.
MrFRodgers
Silva's leg break, LeBron's facial dunk, Knowshon Moreno's epic tears, and more.
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