The Top 15 Heavyweights in MMA History: Does Brock Lesnar Make the Cut?

If Brock Lesnar would just come out of his shell already, the world would be a better place. I long for the day—pine for it, even—when people finally have the pleasure of knowing this massive and massively talented man for the opinionated, large, charismatic, powerful, large, ornery and very large fighter that he is.

Until then, it seems that people like me are left to extol his virtues on his behalf. But mark my words: One of these days, he'll get his just due. In fact, I predict he'll make quite a few dollars in this sport before it's all said and done.

While I wait patiently for Wallflower Lesnar to become a household name, I'll go ahead and fill you in on some details. For starters, he fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion, as a member of their heavyweight division (that's the biggest one). He has had many wins there.

So many wins, in fact, that I can't help but wonder where he might rank among the all-time greats at heavyweight. The top five are more or less set in stone. The second five are slightly more mutable, but still pretty rigid. But the third five? Well, that's where it gets interesting.

Does the shy, underrated Brock Lesnar wind up there? Only one way to find out: read on.

15. Fabricio Werdum

Photo credit: TKOHub

Record: 14-4-1

Claims to fame: Fast-rising Fedor vanquisher.

If he can defeat Alistair Overeem, he could be poised to leapfrog a few of his contemporaries.

14. Josh Barnett

Photo credit: MMAWeekly

Record: 29-5

Claims to fame: Former UFC heavyweight champion, 2006 Pride Grand Prix runner-up, performance-enhancing drug connoisseur

The steroids thing will always drag him down, but Barnett has wins over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Randy Couture, Dan Severn and Pedro Rizzo on his resume. No one else can claim that.

Plenty of fans are looking forward to his Strikeforce debut against Brett Rogers this June; it will be his first fight in almost a year.

13. Ricco Rodriguez

Photo credit: MMABay

Record: 46-11

Claim to fame: Former UFC and King of the Cage champion

An elite grappler who can boast wins over Randy Couture and Andrei Arlovski, not to mention an ongoing 11-fight win streak.

12. Brock Lesnar

Record: 5-2

Claims to fame: Former UFC champion, former WWE champion, very large man

Still a relative newcomer to the sport, especially in the context of this list, but some dominant victories over good fighters, plus his quick springboard to the belt, earn him a spot here. Like it or not, he'll do plenty more winning before it's all said and done.

11. Tim Sylvia

Record: 28-7

Claim to fame: former UFC champion, record co-holder for most heavyweight title defenses (3)

I can't believe he's 28-7. Does that include the one where he fought that pile of old tires?

10. Don Frye

Photo credit: MMAOnTap

Record: 20-8-1-1

Claims to fame: Three-time UFC tournament winner, stole Tom Selleck's mustache, still gets in fights and stuff if he's drunk enough

A cult favorite who was one of the toughest fighters of his, or any, era in MMA.

9. Cain Velasquez

Record: 9-0

Claim to fame: Current UFC champion, no one's beaten him yet.

Cain Velasquez—or, as Brock Lesnar likes to call him, "Kane Vul-ass-kwez"—could be primed to make some big moves up this list. Soon.

8. Alistair Overeem

Record: 34-11-1

Claims to fame: Current Strikeforce and DREAM champion, defending K-1 Grand Prix champion, hasn't lost in more than three years.

Somehow, he still feels underrated. That may change sooner rather than later if his dominant Strikeforce run continues.

7. Dan Severn

Record:  99-17-7

Claims to fame: Two-time UFC tournament champion, UFC superfight champion, UFC 4 tournament runner-up, almost 100 freaking wins

Forget Randy Couture. At age 52, The Beast is still prowling MMA cages. He lost his last contest in the King of the Cage promotion, but will fight again (with only a month of rest) on May 20.

6. Mirko Cro Cop

Photo credit: Sherdog

Record: 27-9-2-1

Claims to fame: 2006 Pride Grand Prix champion, general awesomeness

Probably the best striker among MMA heavyweights, and maybe in the entire sport's history.

And, because it can never be said enough times: "Right leg, hospital. Left leg, cemetery."

5. Mark Coleman

Record: 16-10

Claims to fame: 2000 Pride Grand Prix champion

The inventor of ground n' pound always has a spot on my top-five list.

4. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Record: 32-6-1-1

Claims to fame: Former Pride champion, former UFC interim champion, 2000 RINGS King of Kings tournament winner

The years seem to be catching up quickly to Big Nog. Then again, three consecutive fights against Frank Mir, Velasquez and Couture will do that. No matter what, though, his legacy in the sport is secure.

3. Randy Couture

Record: 19-11

Claims to fame: Three-time UFC champion, UFC 13 tournament winner

Maybe you've heard of him. He may have just left the Octagon for good, but hopefully he's coming soon to a big screen or announcer's chair near you.

2. Igor Vovchanchyn

Photo credit: Susumu's Gallery

Record: 54-10-1

Claims to fame: 2000 Pride Grand Prix runner-up

Perhaps you believe he's a touch overrated on this list. Even if so, that would be a microscopic step in the right direction for the man who could be the most underrated fighter in MMA history. A pioneer of the modern MMA standup and takedown defense games.

1. Fedor Emelianenko

Photo credit: Fight Music 360

Record: 31-3-1

Claims to fame: Longtime Pride champion, 2004 Pride Grand Prix winner, living tissue over metal endoskeleton.

Duh.