MMA Mock Draft: The 10 Essential Picks for Building an Empire

Every year we anticipate one of the most discussed, speculated, anticipated, and argued events in all of sports.

The NFL Draft.

I have to admit it, I am one of the obsessive fools looking at mock draft boards, arguing why picks should or should not be selected where they were, and spending days in my chair waiting for “Mr. Irrelevant” to be selected.

That does not matter, I am a Raider fan, and Al Davis is going to do what he wants. He has proved that, painfully.

That is not why we are here though; we are here to discuss building an empire of current MMA top 10 picks.

Weight classes and fighting promotions are not going to be a factor. I want 10 fighters who are going to rule MMA with an iron fist and dominate for years to come.

So, with the first pick in the draft.

1. Anderson “The Spider” Silva

Really? Could there be anyone else at the top spot?

While many writers argue that Silva’s attitude and desire are in question, don’t bet against him.

He is arguably the best pound for pound in the world.

When Silva is “in the zone” he is unstoppable, and anyone he faces when this happens will be opening his eyes with the ring doctor above him asking, “son do you know where you are”?

Silva is going to do what he wants, he has proved that, and like many No. 1 overall picks, there is a bit of “Diva” in him, that may not be his fault. If I had his ability to do what he does, I may turn it on and off, just the same.

2. Jose Aldo

The current WEC Featherweight Champion.

Jose is on a 10 fight winning streak, ten fights! That is impressive in any fighting promotion. In 2009 at WEC 41, Jose ended a fight with Cub Swanson in eight seconds in the first round!

Awesome. This fighter is on my team.

Jose is one of those fighters you look at and think, not a problem. By the time that happens, he has hit you 9-10 times and leaves you bleeding and asking, what just happened?!

Jose is going to continue to refine and develop his abilities, a great addition to any roster, don’t let the five foot seven inch, 145 pound frame fool you.

Aldo is a dangerous fighter, and that is why he has the No. 2 position on this list.

3. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

Mauricio is one of my favorite fighters in all of MMA. Besides, you need a former fashion model turned fighter in the mix!

Rua is the current Light Heavyweight Champion in the deepest division of the UFC, if not all of MMA.

“Shogun” defeated Machida to earn the Light Heavyweight belt at UFC 113. Most writers will say that he beat “The Dragon” at UFC 104, (including this writer) losing in a controversial unanimous decision, which is why there is wide spread speculation Dana White gave him the rematch.

He left no doubts in the mind of everyone that night at UFC 113, knocking Lyoto out in the first round.

Rua appears to be one of those fighters that is older than he appears, and has some mileage on him; he is currently out due to a knee injury that is going to require surgery and could keep him on the bench until early 2011.

Still, Rua is as dangerous as they come, and a solid No. 3 pick.

4. Gray Maynard

You either are a fan of Maynard, or are not. I have not met many writers that are in between.

I for one, am a believer.

Maynard has one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history against Joe Veres, nine seconds in the first round at UFC Fight Night 11.

Also, Maynard is the only fighter to be able to say he has a victory against current UFC Lightweight Champion, Frankie Edgar.

One more thing, Maynard is unbeaten.

Maynard is going to continue to be a top tier contender, and with a win against Kenny Florian at UFC 118, he is next in line for a title shot.

5. Georges St.-Pierre (GSP)

GSP is a fan favorite, he is going to put up great PPV numbers and fans in the seats. GSP’s dominance is without question.

He is one of, if not the most skilled fighter in all of MMA.

I don’t believe there is anyone currently in the Welterweight division that can compete with him. There is so many accolades associated with this fighter, we cannot list them all.

Currently riding a seven fight win streak, GSP’s next opponent is Josh Koscheck at UFC 124, who he has defeated before at UFC 74 in a unanimous decision, but Koscheck is no slouch, and should be fun to watch.

GSP at the No. 5 pick.

6. Jon “Bones” Jones

While the jury may still be out on Jones, I am drinking the Kool-Aid on this fighter.

Jones has an incredible eighty-four and a half inch reach! Wow! Try getting inside that without taking a few blows to the melon.

Jon is one of the most anticipated fighters coming up in the UFC at the moment, and is going to have his hands full this weekend at UFC Live with Vladimir Matyushenko.

This pick is on potential, and if all goes well, will be a genius pick, but every year there are busts!

This pick will not be a bust! (Hoping…)

On a side note, “Big” John McCarthy will be a referee at UFC live; this is the first time in almost three years he will be inside the ring! Welcome back John, you were missed!

7. Cris “Cyborg” Santos

Lets all be real honest here, “Cyborg” is a SCARY woman, and could take half the writers on this site!

Cris is the current Women’s Middle Weight Champion for Strikeforce.

While Gina Carano may be the “face of MMA”, (you know I had to mention Gina) Cris is the real deal.

Cris defeated Gina Carano at Strikeforce “Santos VS. Carano 2009” for the title belt. It was the first time a major fighting promotion had the main event featuring two women.

Cris is going to dominate for some time, I mean really, when your nick-name is “Cyborg” and you’re a woman. Just look at the picture! RESPECT!

8. “The Prodigy” BJ Penn

A lot has been said of Penn lately, some very good and very bad. No matter what, do not sleep on him, or you may find yourself being the one on the mat who is waking up!

There are similar traits between BJ and Anderson Silva. By that I mean, you never know how motivated they are going to be when they enter the octagon.

“The Prodigy” recently lost his UFC Lightweight Title in a unanimous decision to Frankie Edgar, who is a very dangerous fighter in his own right, but most fans will agree, Penn should of left no doubt in the judges minds, and won that fight.

There will be a rematch at UFC 118 for the title, and even though Edgar is the champ, he is just keeping it warm for Penn.

BJ is one of the most talented martial artists in the world, and I would not want to miss out on his talents and abilities in forming this empire.

9. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida

Machida uses a Shotokan Karate base, which in MMA is almost non-existent. That does not matter; “The Dragon” is effective, elusive and can win fights.

Machida is one of the fighters in MMA that may not be as fun to watch, but are we talking about winning here, which he does.

His counter strikes can catch you when you are being over aggressive and leave you out cold on the mat, fighters need to be cautious and realize just how effective he can be.

Besides, how could we pass up a fighter that drinks his own urine? (Isn’t that right Robert Gardner?) For those wondering about that last comment, I will let my esteemed colleague answer for himself.

Anyway, Machida is going to remain relevant for some time and makes the top ten at the No. 9 spot.

10. Brock Lesnar

Did you really think I was going to leave the UFC Heavy Weight Champion off this list? SHAME if you did!

Writers and fans either love Lesnar or despise him.

Brock is in your face, not afraid to tell you what he is thinking, is a physical freak of nature, and has all the accolades to be the best in the world.

After Lesnar’s time off due to illness, coming back and submitting Carwin at UFC 116, the haters should realize he is the real deal.

Carwin, who is considered to be one of the heaviest handed hitters in all of MMA pounded Brock, Shane is a top contender, and should never be overlooked.

Brock is going to be the HW champ for sometime; and while the Fedor fans feel that Brock cannot be the best until he beats Emelianenko, which is almost irrelevant as Fedor will never, be part of the UFC.

Brock is going to face Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 and with a win; there should not be any question as to why he is the No.1 HW in the world.

Well that’s my ten picks for ultimate fighter dominance, while you may agree or not, all of these fighters are going to make some noise for sometime and continue to give us a show!

Thanks for the read, and look forward to your picks and comments!