I still have a lot of respect for Fedor. Fedor is still my number one guy. I have Silva #2 currently. Penn has finished a higher percentage of his opponents than Anderson. GSP has beaten, what I think is, a higher caliber of fighters, but his finishing rate is much lower as well. What really elevates Silva is that he has shown an ability to overcome adversity. Penn can be broken. I haven't seen GSP fold, but until he proves me wrong, I just have the feeling he will if pressed hard. Silva was less than 2 minutes away from losing his title, in a style of fight that I think BJ would have checked out mentally and be ready to go the distance, and slapped on a triangle like he'd been just waiting for it all along.
#2. Anderson is closer to dethroning Fedor than GSP or anyone else is to taking the #2 spot from Anderson. That said, Fedor, Anderson, and GSP are clearly the top 3 all time and GSP and Anderson still have the opportunity to pass Fedor, but it will be very difficult. It's tough to count Silva on Jackson's resume considering that in Silva's prime he laid down two of the worst beatdowns I've ever seen against Jackson.
1. Fedor Emelianenko 2. Anderson Silva 3. Dan Henderson 4. Chuck Liddell 5. Randy Couture 6. Georges St-Pierre 7. Mirko Filipovic 8. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira 10. Wanderlei Silva
thats a good solid list lefthook. I've not tried making an mma one before, but that would be close to mine.
But look at the others name on his record - Machida, Jardine, Lindland, Arona and Randleman. Its a solid resume. He beat Liddell twice, once either side of his prime on paper. Can't argue with that. Even the Silva win was after he viciously destroyed Jardine and went on to beat Bisping. Silva is not prime but he's still giving it. The ko was brutal too. Compile the names and no matter what excuses you come up with, his record is that of one of the best 205s ever.
In the top 4 alongside Fedor, GSP and Big Nog. Can argue him either 2nd, 3rd or 4th IMO. Penn would probably be my #5, but that one is up for debate. I think there's a clear top 4.
It's early days for talk of all time greats in UFC yet. Especially while the guy we are talking about is still actively fighting. But if we must. Yes Spider Silva ranks top 10 at least.