MMA

Anderson Silva vs Jon Jones

Anderson Silva's matrix dodges broke the sport. Jon Jones has never lost clean. Most dominant MMA fighter?

The Competition

Who they faced — and how good those opponents were

Anderson Silva

Dominated middleweight during the UFC's explosive growth era. Fought up at light heavyweight and STILL finished champions. Clean record, no controversy.

Rich Franklin·MW Champion · 29-7 · HOF

TKO R1 (knees from clinch) — twice

UFC 64 & 77

Forrest Griffin·LHW Champion · TUF winner · HOF

KO R1 — dodged punches hands-down, matrix mode

UFC 101, 2009

Vitor Belfort·3-division title challenger · 18 KOs

Front kick KO R1 — first ever at elite level

UFC 126, 2011

Chael Sonnen·Top contender · dominated 4.5 rounds

Triangle choke R5 — comeback from near-certain loss

UFC 117, 2010

Jon Jones

Light heavyweight during Jones's reign was a murderer's row — Shogun, Rampage, Machida, Evans, DC, Gustafsson were all former or future champions. Deepest division in UFC history.

Daniel Cormier·Olympic wrestler · 2-division UFC Champ

UD — ragdolled an Olympic-level wrestler

UFC 182, 2015

Alexander Gustafsson·#1 contender · Nearly beat Jones

Won both fights — closest fight of Jones's career

UFC 165 & 232

Lyoto Machida·Former LHW Champion · Elite counter-striker

Standing guillotine R2

UFC 140, 2011

Shogun Rua·LHW Champion · Pride Grand Prix winner

TKO R3 — became youngest champ at 23

UFC 128, 2011

Ciryl Gane·Interim HW Champion · Elite striker

Guillotine R1 — won heavyweight title

UFC 285, 2023

The Debate

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