The Top 5 Brazilian MMA Fighters of All Time

Anderson Silva

Anderson, a former UFC Middleweight Champion, holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history. He was the top middleweight in the sport for more than six years, 2,457 days to be precise, and he won 16 consecutive fights between 2006 and 2013. Furthermore, he was renowned for winning his fights with true style.

When he retired in November 2020, his UFC record stood at 33-5. For many, his greatest moment was when he came back from behind to win via a final-round submission against Chael Sonnen at UFC 117.

Since retiring, Silva has had considerable success in the boxing ring. In June 2021, he defeated Julio César Chávez Jr. via split decision and then in September 2021, he defeated Tito Oritz via knockout in the first round.

Royce Gracie

There is no denying that Gracie is one of the most important figures in MMA history. It was him that brought Brazilian jiu jitsu to the mainstream and was partially responsible for the founding of UFC. Gracie then won UFC 1, UFC 2 and UFC 4. Eventually, Gracie was overtaken by a new generation and style of fighter, but in general, he was impossible to beat unless his opponent had carefully studied Brazilian jui jitsu.

It is hard to pick his most impressive moment, but for many it will have been when he methodically sunk in a rear-naked choke against Dutch kickboxer Gerard Gordeau in 1993. It was a moment that crystallised the change from Asian martial arts to the new form of fighting style.

Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva made a name for himself in Japan’s Pride Fighting Championships and then the UFC. He holds the record for the most wins, knockouts, title defences and longest winning streak in Pride history and he is the former Pride Middleweight Champion and the 2003 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion.

He was perhaps best known for his determination, a trait that was demonstrated in his fight with Chuck Liddell that took place once Silva was past his prime. The determination shown by Silva at UFC 79 is something that is sure to inspire fighters for generations to come.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, also known as Minotauro or Big Nog, competed in the heavyweight division of the UFC. He is another fighter who made a name for himself in the Japanese Pride Fighting Championships, where he was the first Pride Heavyweight Champion from November 2001 to March 2003. He is one of just three fighters to have held championship titles in both Pride Fighting Championships and the UFC (the others are Mauricio Rua and Mark Coleman).

Jose Aldo

Jose Aldo is the only one on this list still competing in the UFC. He is in the bantamweight division and in the past competed at Featherweight. Aldo became the first UFC Featherweight Champion following the merger of UFC and WEC and is considered by many to be the greatest featherweight of all time. Following his first MMA defeat in November 2005, Aldo went undefeated for more than 10 years, winning 18 straight fights until UFC 194 in December 2015. In 2009, he was named as Sherdog’s Fighter of the Year. Aldo is particularly well known for his leg kicks, which have become as famous as Dan Henderson’s right hand and Anderson Silva’s front kick.