It has nothing to do with fanboyism. Anyone who thinks the guy who just got stopped in the first round in his last fight, is 2-1 in the last 2 years with one win over Arlovski and another over the tire salesman who flash KOd Arlovski is the number 1 p4p fighter in the world is clearly suffering from idol worship. Just because Fedor is the greatest of all time doesn't mean he is currently the #1 p4p fighter. It's GLARINGLY obvious.
I personally think it's Anderson Silva's title to loose. How can he not be number one when he hasn't lost since entering the UFC, has jumped weight divisions and pretty much destroyed anyone he fought even at 205, and just destroyed what some thought would be a tough opponent? Even against Chael he went into that fight hurt and took a beating for almost 5 rounds and found away to win. GSP to me is a distant and clear second. I think he's probably as close to a trained MMA athlete as one can get, but Silva has something GSP doesn't have, a certain magic that allows him to do things no one else can. Like KO'ing Griffin while moving backwards, or catching James Irwin's kick and countering, or his wins over Franklin. They're just so damn impressive. I also think GSP while technically great at stand up, simply lacks the power necessary to put opponents away. Anderson on the other hand has all kinds of power, either in his feet or hands.
Dunno how people can keep Fedor as #1. I mean, I'm from Russia, HUGE Fedor fan, and it sucks like hell for him not to be number one but he isn't. It's either GSP or A.Silva depending on what's important to the onlooker.
For me Fedor is #1 ever, because he is a myth, a living legend. his reign, all the people he beat, plus he is more fun too watch than GSP and Silva makes him my best ever. As far as today he isn't, just because he rarely fights, but now the tournemant is gonne be interresting.
By some people's definition of p4p no.1 if Fedor was retired he'd still be number 1 because he went a decade without a loss and had a fantastic run in Pride, doesn't work like that! You simply have to look at his last 5 fights too know he simply isn't number 1 anymore. Loss to Werdum, Werdum was just coming off two victories of Pyle and Silva and a KO loss to Dos Santos. Win of Rogers who was recently steamrolled by Overeem. Win over Arlovski who is currently riding a 3 fight losing streak. Win ov Sylvia who was never THAT great and was recently destroyed in 30 seconds. Win over Hong-Man Choi who had only had 1 MMA fight before hand. The proof is in the pudding
I did think GSP last year, but now I really can't decide between him and Silva, it's just too close. I don't have a problem with anyone ranking one above the other. But if Fedor beats Silva then the Reem/Werdum winner, the GOAT is back in the top spot, 100% for me.
I'd put Anderson above Shogun again at #2 off the back of an impressive win vs Vitor but still behind GSP for me.
It's very tricky when you talk about Fedor, you say one little negative thing and you get destroyed by 75 angry fans. There is a huge difference between an ATG and the current best P4P fighter. Fedor is still the GOAT due to his winning streak, the way he ended fights and the much bigger opponents he faced. But now he's getting older, coming of a loss, and perhaps not AS dominant as he used to be. The Strikeforce HW Grand Prix could very well put him back to #1, but we're talking about the present, right now, and IMO you gotta give that to Anderson Silva with GSP very close behind and Fedor also just as close behind Georges.