UFC 147: Rich Franklin, Wanderlei Silva and the 10 Best Fighters over 35

Many say that mixed martial arts have become a young man's game. With hungry young lions like Michael McDonald, Rory MacDonald and Jon Jones making some big waves in their respective divisions, it's hard to dispute that argument.

However, the old guard is not some group of washed-up has-beens who are willing to go down without a fight. In fact, many of the older fighters in the UFC are enjoying some incredible momentum at the moment.

Do skills tend to decay over time? In most cases, yes. 

Do fighters with formerly granite chins appear to get knocked out more in their later years? Absolutely.

However, the rule doesn't apply to everyone. Sure, we've seen stars like Mirko Cro Cop and Ken Shamrock become almost sad in their later years, but there are some elder statesmen of the UFC who are certainly not going to concede anything to the young guns of the organization.

You want my spot? Come take it from me.

Here is a look at 10 UFC fighters who are winning the battle against Father Time. This is a look at the 10 best fighters over the age of 35.

Dan Henderson

Age: 41

Dan Henderson has aged like a fine cheese. Despite fighting exclusively for top organizations like PRIDE, Strikeforce and the UFC, Hendo has put together an incredible 13-4 record since his 35^th birthday.

Currently on a 7-1 tear, Hendo is riding the momentum of big wins over four former champions: Shogun, Fedor, Babalu and Feijao.

He will attempt to make it five in a row when he meets UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones on September 1.

Anderson Silva

Age: 37

What can be said about Anderson Silva that hasn’t been said a million times before? He has soundly defeated multiple names on this list, along with many others.

Longest winning streak in UFC history? No problem! Shatter the record for title defenses? Piece of cake! What can Anderson Silva not do?

The Spider hopes to defeat Chael Sonnen for a second time at UFC 148, but to say the Team Quest fighter was a handful in their first matchup would be an understatement.

Rich Franklin

Age: 37

Rich Franklin has only fought twice since hitting the big three-five. Both contests came against former Light Heavyweight champions. A knockout win over Chuck Liddell and a decision loss to Forrest Griffin may not scream of anything fantastic, but Franklin is a stiff challenge for anyone.

The man known as “Ace” has been a utility player when the UFC is in a tight spot. Filling in previously for Tito Ortiz when an injury removed him from a coaching gig on TUF, Franklin followed it up by fighting in the Coaches’ bout against Chuck Liddell.

Franklin fills in again on Saturday night when he replaces Vitor Belfort and squares off once again with Wanderlei Silva. Their first fight was a war, and fans should be excited for an intense battle that should end with one man lying limp on the canvas.

Vitor Belfort

Age: 35

With unparalleled hand speed, it’s hard to believe that Vitor Belfort is 35 years old.

The former UFC Light Heavyweight champion has looked great since returning to the UFC, finishing Rich Franklin, Yoshihiro Akiyama and Anthony Johnson with minimal effort. His only dark spot came when he unsuccessfully challenged Anderson Silva, back in February of 2011.

The Phenom is the youngest member of this list, as he turned 35 only two months ago. He was scheduled to make his first over-the-hill appearance tomorrow night against Wanderlei Silva, but a broken hand has Belfort out of action.

The Nogueira Twins

Ages: 36

Minotauro and Minotoro. Rodrigo and Rogerio. Big Nog and Little Nog.

Famous for their successful PRIDE careers, the Nogueira brothers have big wins over fighters like Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Dan Henderson and Josh Barnett to their credit.

Both fighters have constantly had to pull out of UFC contests due to injuries that have plagued them, however that hasn’t stopped them from picking up Zuffa wins against the likes of Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz.

Neither man has an upcoming fight scheduled, but we hope to see them back before the end of the year.

Matt Hughes

Age: 38

Ignore the fact that Matt Hughes has been knocked out in the first round of his most recent bouts. The Illinois native started his post-35 career with three consecutive wins over Matt Serra, Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida.

Despite a rough stretch of 1-3 that began with losing his welterweight title to Georges St. Pierre, Hughes looked primed to make another run at the belt until he ran into BJ Penn and Josh Koscheck.

Hughes isn’t quite retired, and he could come back for another fight or two.

Wanderlei Silva

Age: 35

Known for fierce striking and an unrelenting style, Wanderlei Silva is one of the most beloved figures in mixed martial arts. Since returning to the UFC, each of Silva’s fights have included some incredible highlight reel moments.

Since turning 35 last July, he has only fought one time and it resulted in a vintage knockout of former Strikeforce champion Cung Le. The win assured fans that the longtime PRIDE champion has no intentions of riding off into the sunset anytime soon.

The Axe Murderer squares off with Rich “Ace” Franklin in the main event of UFC 147 on Saturday, June 23. Can he avenge his UFC 99 loss and get on track for a potential run to the top?

Shane Carwin

Age: 37

It is unbelievable that Shane Carwin didn’t even begin his professional MMA career until he was nearly 31 years old.

At the age of 35, Carwin defeated Frank Mir to capture the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship. The knockout performance may have been his victory, however he nearly finished champion Brock Lesnar before succumbing to exhaustion and an arm-triangle choke.

Carwin remains one of only two men to go the distance with Junior dos Santos, which is a testament to his granite chin.

The Engineer looks to return this year, and it has been speculated that he will fight Daniel Cormier upon his return. There is no confirmation, but there has been little objection voiced by anyone in the chain.

Mark Hunt

Age: 38

Mark Hunt could be the greatest comeback story in mixed martial arts. If the former PRIDE superstar can continue his winning ways, the #RallyForHunt movement still might end with the Super Samoan standing across the cage from UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos.

I had the privilege to chat with Mark earlier this month. When asked about the injury that forced him out of a UFC 146 contest with Stefan Struve, he talked about not wasting the opportunity in front of him by going into fights with injuries.

“The old Mark Hunt would [have] fought the last fight with the bad leg. They will not get any easy victories or any wins by not going in there giving them easy fights. They will get all of me, not a lil of me like the old days.”

Hunt has never appeared to be in better physical condition than during his current run.  When he returns to the cage later this year, anyone who is standing in his way should be worried.

“I shall overcome all obstacles." said Hunt. "There is virtually nothing I will not do to succeed”