MMA: Anderson Silva and the 10 Best Defensive Fighters in MMA
A fighters' defense can be a hard thing to measure in MMA, but it is even harder to master.
The threat of takedowns and striking will make fighters drop their guard, which can result in a knockout or getting caught in a submission. The ability to defend an opponent's attack can be discouraging and help a fighter build confidence in using his own offense.
The best defensive fighters in MMA can be measured on three things—takedown, striking and submission defense. For this list, they will be identified separately.
Some fighters may only have two of the three, but there aren't many who excel in all three areas. Some fighters don't even need to show it.
No. 10 Jon Fitch (23-3)
1 of 10
Fitch's style can be defined with one word: defense. His underappreciated style of taking his opponent down and wearing them out is to avoid any possible chance of them landing a punch or significant strike that can change the fight in an instant. It's smart and effective. It's just not exciting.
He sometimes finds himself in trouble early but defends the submission attempts well and has enough heart to survive any attack that may break through his guard while standing up.
Takedown Defense: B+
Submission Defense: B+
Striking Defense: B
No. 9 Gegard Mousasi (30-3-1)
2 of 10
Mousasi is the former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion. Fighting in three weight classes, he already has a wealth of experience at the young age of 25. His skills are constantly improving.
His striking defense was showcased in his last fight; a kickboxing match in Japan versus Kyotaro. This is where Mousasi's striking shines, and he brings that back when he competes in MMA.
Of his three losses, two are by submission; the last of which came in 2006. His most recent defeat came against King Muhammad Lowal, where he was taken down repeatedly by the NCAA Division II champion and lost a unanimous decision. He seemed comfortable letting himself get taken down and has since worked exclusively on his wrestling.
If he improves the wrestling aspect of his set of skills, he has a good chance of being one of the best fighters in the sport.
Submission defense: B
Takedown Defense: B-
Striking Defense: A
No. 8 Dominick Cruz (17-1)
3 of 10
In a recent list I did with the top 15 boxers in MMA, Dominick made the list at number eight. He made the list not only because of his relentless attack but because of his defense. For 25 minutes, he is able to avoid takedowns and control an opponent with only strikes.
In his most recent fight, he battered Scott Jorgensen for five rounds and took home a unanimous decision victory.
Cruz is on most pound-for-pound lists and it's due to his skills as a striker and as a dominant champion in the bantamweight division.
Striking Defense: B+
Takedown Defense: B+
Submission Defense: B
No. 7 Yushin Okami (26-5)
4 of 10
Okami is sitting at the top of the UFC middleweight division waiting patiently for a title shot that he deserves. So what's the reason he still hasn't gotten that chance? Probably because he is overly defensive in every aspect of MMA.
Being one of the biggest middleweights in the UFC, Okami brings an imposing skill set that makes it even more threatening to his opponents when he decides to counter punch and defend takedowns. He can do this to most of the opponents he faces.
In his fight with Mark Munoz, Okami sprawled and avoided most of the takedowns the NCAA wrestler attempted. Munoz momentarily dropped Okami with a jab, but it is one of the few times he has ever been knocked off his feet.
His boxing is crisp when he lets his hands go, but he tends to keep at a distance and counter-punch.
Submission Defense: B+
Takedown Defense: A-
Striking Defense: A-
No. 6 Rampage Jackson (31-7)
5 of 10
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson can be a tricky fighter when measuring his defensive skills. Sometimes he is on and sometimes he is not.
When he is, he is one of the best at avoiding the most dangerous situations his opponents may present.
Jackson's biggest flaw in his defense is he doesn't check leg kicks; most notable in his fights with Forrest Griffin and Lyoto Machida. Other than that, his boxing defense and head movement helps him avoid being hit.
His best defense against submissions is a unique one; the slam. Even if he doesn't use it, he is still very tough to submit.
Submission Defense: A
Takedown Defense: B+
Striking Defense: B+
No. 5 Jose Aldo (18-1)
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UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo easily has the best takedown defense in the division. What's scary about this is his standup is also the most dangerous part of his style. He will avoid an opponent's takedown and throw double flying knees at them in return.
It will be interesting to see how he does in his upcoming fight versus Mark Hominick. His striking will definitely get tested. Expect a very technical striking match out of them when they fight.
Even though he is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Aldo's submission defense is where the biggest question remains. His takedown defense is so good, we may never have to find out.
Takedown defense: A+
Submission Defense: B+
Striking Defense: A
No. 4 B.J. Penn (16-7)
7 of 10
When B.J. Penn takes on Jon Fitch at UFC 127 later this month, his takedown defense will be put to the ultimate test once again.
It seems every fight Penn is in, his opponents best key to victory is to take him down. It's no easy task. Just ask any of his opponents. Against the average opponent, it is next to impossible to get him down. Only the best have been able to do it; guys like Georges St. Pierre, Frankie Edgar and Matt Hughes.
Add on top of that his boxing skills and submission defense and you have a very dangerous fighter who is going to be very hard to finish.
Takedown Defense: A
Submission Defense: A+
Striking Defense: A
No. 3 Lyoto Machida (16-2)
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Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida is know for his defense more than anything else. His movement in and out of striking range is some of the most confusing yet dangerous styles to ever enter into the Octagon.
His black-belt in Shotokan Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu show what level of technique his skills are at, and he adapts karate into the elements of MMA.
Machida blends everything together and it shows in every fight. Before his first fight with Shogun, he was the least-hit fighter in UFC history. He was knocked out in the rematch, but every fighter can get caught if they make one mistake.
The truth is most fighters wouldn't even come close to catching him like Shogun did.
Takedown Defense: A
Submission Defense: A-
Striking Defense: A+
No. 2 Georges St. Pierre (21-2)
9 of 10
It's been a while since St. Pierre has been in any serious trouble during a fight. Most of his fights are him dominating his opponent for five consecutive rounds and winning a unanimous decision in the end. So who can really test his defense in striking or on the ground?
How about Anderson Silva? This is where the battle of striking vs. wrestling begins, and who can avoid the other's strength longer? Is Silva's takedown defense as good as St. Pierre's striking defense? Every fight starts on the feet, so St. Pierre will have to make sure his defense is top-notch. Silva has the size advantage on him and the better Jiu-Jitsu so that's why Silva gets pushed to the number one spot.
Takedown Defense: A+
Submission Defense: A
Striking Defense: B+
No. 1 Anderson Silva (28-4)
10 of 10
You only have to look at his fights with Forrest Griffin or Vitor Belfort to know why he has the best striking defense in MMA. With a simple step or two backwards, he can avoid any punch thrown at him and counter with a knock-out punch.
His biggest weakness is his wrestling and it has always been that way. Any wrestler that gets their arms around Silva is likely to get him down, but they may be doing Silva a favor. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, given to him by the Nogueira brothers, shows he can beat the best fighters from his guard or top position. The only way Silva gets caught in a submission is if its a Ryo Chonan type of move.
Takedown Defense: B
Submission Defense: A+
Striking Defense: A+
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