UFC: Wanderlei Silva and the 20 Most Popular Fighters in UFC History (Video)

The UFC has seen many fighters come and go. Some have risen to the top, some are on their way to the top and unfortunately, some haven't been as successful as their peers.

Out of all these fighters, only some will be remembered forever and will be a part of history. 

They may be remembered for different reasons; for example, they may have brought the sport to a new demographic or have been one of the greatest champions. Either way, they will be remembered.

At UFC 132, one of these iconic figures is fighting in his second middleweight bout and that is the legendary Wanderlei Silva.

In this list, I have tried to assemble the fighters that have been the most popular figures in the history of the sport. Whether people loved them or hated them, this list includes all the fighters that will always be remembered for encouraging people to tune in and watch them fight.

So, without further ado, I present to you the most iconic figures in the UFC.

NOTE: If you think I've forgotten anybody, let me know in the comments and I might just add them to the list, if you can convince me.

20. Kimbo Slice

Kimbo Slice in one of the greatest internet phenomenon's ever. His infamous street-fighting videos have been viewed by millions of people worldwide.

When Kimbo announced his desire to step into a career in MMA, Dana White was quick to offer him a spot on TUF: Heavyweights.

The hype started to quickly build around Kimbo and many people wanted to see if Kimbo could show the same viciousness and tenacity that they had seen.

Unfortunately, he couldn't, but his fans followed him into the sport and tuned in to watch him perform.

19. Urijah Faber

"The California Kid" became one of the most popular fighters in WEC and his popularity has carried over into the UFC and continues to grow.

Faber is one of the most recognizable faces from the WEC promotion and for good reason. He held the championship there for a reign of over two years.

Faber is known for his charisma and humor and this video shows just that.

18. Cro Cop

Mirko Cro Cop is probably the best striker in the heavyweight division.

He rose to stardom under the Pride FC banner, where he became one of their biggest attractions.

Cro Cop is known for his humble and always calm appearance but in a fight, he is the last person you want to trade with.

Having been voted the most outstanding fighter in 2006, Cro Cop has gained a large following of fans worldwide.

He has sent many an opponent to the proverbial cemetery including the biggest names in the sport. He has beaten the likes of Wanderlei Silva, Mark Coleman, Josh Barnett and many more.

He is also a member of the anti-terrorist group in his native Croatia. Cro Cop doesn't need guns to take down terrorists—just his left leg.

17. Bas Rutten

Bas Rutten is one of the most inspirational fighters in the world and is one of the most feared strikers in history.

Rutten popularized many techniques such as the liver shot, which is probably his signature maneuver.

Since moving on from the sport of MMA, Rutten has gone on to appear in movies and television and producing a series of informative videos about how to win bar fights.

16. Jason Miller

Jason Miller definitely lives up to his nickname. He has not fought in the UFC for long but while he did, he gained a huge following of fans that followed him into WEC, DREAM and Strikeforce.

"Mayhem" is one of the funniest athletes ever. From pranks to cracking jokes in interviews, "Mayhem" quickly became a fan favorite.

Furthermore, his popularity led Dana White to pick him to be a coach on the next season of TUF. 

15. Tito Ortiz

Love him or hate him, Tito is definitely one of the most popular fighters ever.

Tito has approached the downslide of his career but he is still a big draw for the company.

He has been a part of some of the greatest rivalries in history, most notably with Ken Shamrock and Chuck Liddell.

It is these rivalries and more that will ensure Tito's place in MMA history.

14. Jon Jones

Jon Jones is young to the sport and hasn't been competing in the UFC for long. However, in this short time he has been around, he has made a huge impact in the UFC.

The talented fighter has become the youngest champion in UFC history after beating the legendary "Shogun" Rua, has reached incredible levels of popularity and is undoubtedly a huge fan favorite.

13. Royce Gracie

Surprised?

Royce Gracie redefined the art of fighting forever. He is arguably the most important figure, not just in the UFC, but in all of MMA.

He showed the world that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a very efficient and powerful system and it is now one of the most necessary martial arts for competing in MMA.

Royce inspired many people, not just fighters, to take up the art of jiu-jitsu and for that reason, he is one of the most popular fighters ever, period.

12. Matt Hughes

This former NCAA Division I wrestler was once the king of welterweights in MMA. His superior wrestling allowed him to destroy opponent after opponent and he became one of the greatest champions in history.

Hughes is a Hall of Famer and has beaten some of the biggest names in the sport including the current king of the division, Georges St. Pierre.

Once voted as "Fighter of the Year," Hughes holds many accolades in the UFC, including having the most wins in the UFC at 18. 

Hughes will live throughout the ages as one of the greatest fighters in his division ever.

11. Frank Mir

People see Frank Mir in two different ways. Some see him as arrogant, whilst others see him as someone who tells it like it is.

Frank Mir has been in the UFC since 2001 and quickly made a name for himself by becoming one of the best practitioners of jiu-jitsu in the heavyweight division.

He has racked up wins over fighters such as Tank Abbott, Lesnar, Nogueira and many more and became a highly decorated champion with the promotion.

10. Brock Lesnar

When Brock Lesnar first entered the UFC, just about every fan was against him. 

Hardcore MMA fans were aghast with the idea that a former WWE Superstar could make it in MMA.

But then he started beating some of the biggest names in the sport. Fighters such as Mir, Couture and Carwin were all finished at the large hands of one of the most physically imposing fighters ever to compete in the UFC.

He has now become one of the most popular fighters in the UFC and millions of people have tuned in to watch him fight.

9. BJ Penn

BJ Penn is one of the most intense fighters to ever compete in the Octagon.

His intensity meant that he was one of the most entertaining fighters to watch and he went on to become one of the greatest champions in the UFC.

He was nicknamed "The Prodigy" because he was once the biggest rising star to compete in the UFC at the time.

He is a hero in his native state of Hawaii.

8. Rich Franklin

Rich Franklin is one of the nicest guys in the sport and for that reason fans have instantly taken a liking to him.

Cool, calm and collected are three words that definitely describe this fighter.

The former school teacher made the jump to the UFC in 2003 and became a fan favorite soon after.

How do we know he was a fan favorite? How many fighters do you know with their own day? February 21, 2003 was named "Rich Franklin Day" in his hometown of Cincinnati by the city mayor.

He is also one of the more entertaining fighters to watch.

7. Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva is arguably the greatest fighter ever and Dana White would agree with that statement.

Silva has crushed and destroyed fighters with his phenomenal striking and his agility.

He is also one of the most controversial figures in the sport. His fights with Leites and Maia left fans and critics in disgust with the way he went about the fight.

However, when Silva goes into a fight motivated, he is a force to be reckoned with. 

6. Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin is widely credited as one of two fighters to put the sport of MMA on the map.

However, Griffin rocketed to legendary heights of popularity because of his highly unorthodox—but very entertaining—fighting style and his humor.

He is even a successful writer. His book, Got Fight?, managed to make its way to the New York Times best-seller list.

5. Wanderlei Silva

I have said it before and I will say it again: Wanderlei Silva is the scariest man in MMA ever, period.

However, Wanderlei has made it known that he is all about the fans. Wanderlei thrives from the energy of the fans.

Wanderlei has built up such a large following of fans from his days in Pride FC in Japan and his native Brazil and from competing in the USA.

He is one of the most respected and admired fighters in history. 

4. Quinton Jackson

The man known as "Rampage" is arguably the funniest man in MMA and one of the funniest in all of sports.

This is exactly what has made him so popular with the fans. He has the extraordinary ability of turning boos into cheers by making the audience laugh. That is a very desirable attribute to have.

"Rampage" has entertained fans all over the world.

He was one of few successful actors to come from the UFC, having appeared as a major character in The A-Team alongside a host of other stars.

3. Georges St-Pierre

Georges St-Pierre is the best welterweight in the world and will go down in history as one of the greatest fighters ever.

Many believe that he has cleaned out his division and a jump to middleweight to face Anderson Silva would determine the greatest fighter of all time.

But that may be a long way away. Let's just focus on the past and present.

GSP is one of the most skilled wrestlers in the world and is even hoping to be in the upcoming Olympic games.

GSP is also one of the nicest people in the sport. Seems weird saying that about someone who beats people up for a living but it is true, and that is the one of many reasons he has garnered such a huge following of fans.

2. Chuck Liddell

"The Iceman" is one of the most influential and iconic figures in the sport of MMA.

He is one of a few fighters who are responsible for bringing the sport of MMA to a mainstream audience.

Liddell made his octagon and MMA debut back in 1998.

Since his debut, he has risen to legend status, having beaten fighters such as "Babalu," Tito Ortiz and the legendary Randy Couture.

He became one of the most recognizable figures in the sport of MMA and will be remembered as one of the greatest champions throughout the ages.

1. Randy Couture

"That guy is my hero."

Joe Rogan after Randy Couture defeated Tito Ortiz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 44 in 2003.

In fact, that man is a hero to millions of fans worldwide.

Having been a member of the army and a former NCAA Division I wrestling star, Randy decided to pursuea career in MMA at the age of 34.

His list of achievements cannot be matched by any fighter in UFC history and they include being the oldest fighter to win a UFC title, being the first fighter to hold a championship in two different weight classes and being a five-time world champion.

"The Natural" has gone on to star in Hollywood blockbusters such as The Expendables alongside some of the greatest action movie stars in history such as Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. 

Even though he has retired, "The Natural" remains as a hero, idol and arguably the most influential man in MMA.