UFC 129: GSP and the 10 Most Impressive Winning Percentages Inside the Octagon

Statistics alone do not tell the whole story but they do tell a story.

While the majority of MMA fans likely focus on total, consecutive, or title wins (inside the octagon) the account of "most impressive winning percentage" tells the tale of fighters who've been the most effective with what they have been given.

It doesn't account for strength of schedule, so a fighter who didn't make the list –like B.J. Penn (12-6- 2)–doesn't get credit for taking on bigger foes like Lyoto Machida or Georges St-Pierre.

With that, let's check out the fighters with the best batting averages.

(Note: Only fighters with 10 or more UFC wins were included. Feel free to add names of fighters with impressive winning percentages in the comment section like Lyoto Machida who is 8-2).

10. Kenny Florian 11-4

Kicking off the batting order with a .733 winning percentage, Kenny Florian may not be the first name that comes to mind. But the former TUF 1 runner up has put together an impressive UFC career by most accounts.

KenFlo even made it to the UFC equivalent of a world series, getting a title shot against B.J. Penn at UFC 101. But he fell short - and when he got his second chance to make it into a title fight, he fell short against Gray Maynard.

Florian will get a third, and likely final, shot at a title if he can get by Diego Nunes at UFC 131. With a win, Florian will meet the Jose Aldo-Mark Hominick winner who square off tonight at UFC 129.

9. Diego Sanchez 12-4

.750 is a pretty good percentage in anything in life - it will even get you a passing grade on your math test.

But in MMA, it's not typically going to be good enough. Diego has had an up and down career, and while he is known for a lot of things he was most likely immortalized for the one sided beat down he suffered at the hands - and kick - of B.J. Penn in their lightweight title fight at UFC 107.

The loss sent Sanchez back up the welterweight division where he is riding a two fight winning streak. Next up for the fighter formerly known as the "Nightmare" is a match up with the legendary Matt Hughes later this year.

8. Matt Hughes 18-6

Speaking of the country boy, Matt Hughes is the winningest fighter in UFC history. He is two wins ahead of both Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture, and three ahead of Georges St. Pierre (who will likely pass him by at some point).

Matt Hughes has more accomplishments then I care to type out but he is probably most known for defending his welterweight belt a combined seven times - and passing the torch to Georges St. Pierre.

Hughes is in the twilight of his illustrious Octagon career but it appears he has no signs of slowing down just yet as he will face Diego Sanchez later this year and try to add on to his UFC high win total.

7. Michael Bisping 11-3

You were probably too busy hating on Michael Bisping to realize he has a .786 winning percentage. You will probably focus on his 3 losses, especially his loss of consciousness to Dan Henderson at UFC 100.

But Bisping just keeps shaking them haters off. So whats next for the brash Brit? He is working his way back into title talk and a fight with Chael Sonnen may be on the horizon, to be proceeded with coaching duties at TUF 14.

6. Yushin Okami 10-2

The quietest winning percentage on the list, Yushin Okami and his .8333 mark deserve a golf clap. With his only losses coming to Rich Franklin and Chael Sonnen, Okami has finally been granted his title shot against Anderson Silva.

Attempting to pick up his 11th win will likely be his hardest, but don't count as "Thunder" and he will be looking to capture lightening in a bottle down in Rio at UFC 134 toward the tail end of this summer.

5. Rashad Evans 10-1-1

Another fighter used to getting hated on, Rashad has done nothing but win since winning the second season of The Ultimate Fighter.Technically he has three more wins on his ledger as all fights that took place during Season 2 are considered as professional MMA bouts by Nevada State Athletic Commission.

So you could give him a UFC record of 13-1-1 if you really wanted to. For the same of consistency, since all other TUF fighters were considered exhibition bouts, we wont count it here. But it should be noted.

Next up for Suga, a fight with Mr. Wonderful Phil Davis.

4. Georges St. Pierre 15-2

It might shock some that GSP comes in at only No. 4. But the loss to Serra keeps him out of the top 3 for now. But, if St. Pierre wins tonight at UFC 129 he will actually pass by the No. 3 fighter on our list so some real statistical movement might be in store for us.

3. Royce Gracie 11-1-1

The man that is largely credited with launching a sport, many wont be impressed with the record of Royce Gracie since he fought in the "Babe Ruth" era of MMA. But give credit where credit is due as Gracie fought the best they could find and put him in the cage with...including men almost twice his size.

2. Jon Fitch 13-1-1

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: BJ Penn of the USA attempts to choke Jon Fitch of the USA during their welterweight bout part of UFC 127 at Acer Arena on February 27, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Jon Fitch will never be a fan favorite due to his grinding style but with a .900 winning percentage it is hard to not be objectively impressed with what Fitch has been able to achieved inside the cage. His only loss coming to GSP, Fitch has accomplished everything you can as a professional fighter with the exception of wearing UFC gold.

He might actually have a better shot at winning a title if he moved up to middleweight, having to face Anderson Silva in order to do so. Not a swipe at the Spider, but styles make fights and if Fitch can implement the Chael Sonnen gameplan - minus getting submitted at the end - he would without a doubt secure his spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.

1. Anderson Silva 13-0

There can be only one - and Anderson Silva is the Neo of the UFC Matrix.

A book could be written here about the man, the myth, the legend...but his record speaks for itself. At this point we as fans just sit back and wonder how long can he keep the unbeaten streak going. Will the streak end in a super fight with St. Pierre? Will he move up to light heavyweight and finally get upended. Will he finish his career at middleweight, finally getting supplanted?

Only time will tell and we are left to dwell but one thing is for certain...for now, Anderson Silva is the greatest fighter to ever step inside the Octagon.

UFC 129 St-Pierre vs. Shields: Fight Card, News, Predictions, Results, and More!