Sports Illustrated votes Fedor best of decade

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)

Pretty cool and I really dont have a beef with the list either.

man now i feel like watching some old pride fights lol

was this in the magazine? or internet?

Maybe only Dan Henderson was rated a little too high and GSP too low.

GSP missed the early part of the decade.

Dan held 2 titles and has wins over 2 guys on the list.

I say the only mistake is having Wand ahead of Chuck.

Farmer1906 wrote:

GSP missed the early part of the decade.

Dan held 2 titles and has wins over 2 guys on the list.

I say the only mistake is having Wand ahead of Chuck.

Yeah I agree but even that isnt a huge mistake.

I have no problems with that list. But what is the big deal with the Cro Cop vs Fedor fight? I mean fedor is my fav but that fight was never in question and was borderline boring IMO. What about Nog vs Sapp? I know Sapp is a huge joke but he wasn't in that fight. That one was prolly my all time fav fight. Saku vs Newton also up there too.

ohiovol62 wrote:

I have no problems with that list. But what is the big deal with the Cro Cop vs Fedor fight? I mean fedor is my fav but that fight was never in question and was borderline boring IMO. What about Nog vs Sapp? I know Sapp is a huge joke but he wasn't in that fight. That one was prolly my all time fav fight. Saku vs Newton also up there too.

Ninja\Rua/Fan wrote:

ohiovol62 wrote:

I have no problems with that list. But what is the big deal with the Cro Cop vs Fedor fight? I mean fedor is my fav but that fight was never in question and was borderline boring IMO. What about Nog vs Sapp? I know Sapp is a huge joke but he wasn't in that fight. That one was prolly my all time fav fight. Saku vs Newton also up there too.

Cro Cop vs Fedor was a great fight but best of the decade? Not even close. I derived more enjoyment from Cro Cop vs Nog

Cro Cop v Fedor was all about the build up.


The fiht of the decade is EASILY Hughes v Trigg II

Fight of the decade is the belated Chuck vs Wanderlei for me.

Kimbo vs Houston - Nothing else comes close

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Fight of the decade is the belated Chuck vs Wanderlei for me.

Wow.

Agree.