UFC 134 Fight Card: Power Ranking Every Anderson Silva Title Defense

The longest-reigning champion in UFC history, Anderson Silva will look to extend his streak as he takes on Japanese top contender Yushin Okami this weekend at UFC 134.

Throughout his reign, Silva has put on some of the most exciting shows, whether dominating his opponent and quickly knocking them out or pulling out submissions in the waning seconds of the bout.

Although criticized in some fights for not taking his opponent seriously, there is no questioning Silva's motivation any more as an inspired Silva looks to leave a mark on the MMA world as the greatest fighter of all time.

Let's look back at Silva's past title defenses and they rank up.

8. UFC 112: Defeats Maia, Break UFC Record for Consecutive Title Defenses

Although UFC 112 was a groundbreaking event in many ways, it was also, as UFC President Dana White puts it, "an embarrassment" to the sport.

The first event ever held in the Middle East, this show in Abu Dhabi, UAE also saw "The Spider" break the UFC record for most consecutive title defenses.

However, his antics in the cage made this one of the worst championship bouts in MMA history.

For five rounds, Silva taunted Demian Maia, refusing to engage him on the ground and playing with him on the feet.

In what little striking there was, Silva clearly was more dominant, but those moments were so few and far between that they were lost on the crowd—and especially White. White refused, for the first time, to put the belt around Silva's waist as he was so disgusted with the performance. 

7. UFC 97: Win over Leites Breaks UFC Consecutive Wins Record

The debacle in Abu Dhabi should have been foreseen after Silva's fifth title defense against Thales Leites at UFC 97.

The win should have been a celebration for Silva, who was able to break the UFC's consecutive wins record, but the accomplishment was again marred by his clowning and effortless performance.

In the last two rounds, Silva was dancing and slapping his opponent, attempting to goad Leites only to hear the crowd erupt in boos and jeers.

This was the first time White said he was "embarrassed" by Silva's performance and unfortunately it was not the last. 

6. UFC 90: Finishes, Injures Cote

At UFC 90, Silva took on Canadian kickboxer Patrick Cote.

Silva decided to employ a different strategy, one that he would be criticized for in later bouts, keeping his distance to pick his shots, goading his opponent to make a mistake before he pounced for the kill in the later rounds.

The fight ended in a bizarre fashion with Cote injuring his knee, falling to the mat after throwing a kick in the third round. The bout was ruled a TKO win for Silva since Cote was unable to continue.

In the opening rounds, despite his apparent disinterest in engaging, Silva was able to land a solid roundhouse kick and a flying knee square on Cote's chin.

Although not the greatest title defense on Silva's resume, it did once again show his dominance over the rest of the 185 lbs division.

5. UFC 73: Puts Marquardt Away in First Title Defense

After taking the belt from RIch Franklin in 2006, Silva's first title defense was supposed to be against Travis Lutter. That bout was turned into a non-title fight since Lutter failed to make weight.  

After taking out Lutter, Silva's first true defense was against Nate Marquardt at UFC 73.

The bout was a lopsided affair, with Silva the dominant force in the fight. In the first round, Silva was able to put away Marquardt fairly easily, taking the TKO win.

This fight exemplified Silva's superb striking skills and why he should be feared by all in the middleweight division. 

4. UFC 77: Knees Decimate, TKO Franklin

Coming into UFC 77, Silva would have to go to the heart of the Rich Franklin fanbase to take on the former champion in a rematch of their 2006 bout.

The fight at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio was held before a decidedly pro-Franklin crowd which did not dissuade Silva at all from decimating his opponent.

Although much improved from their last fight, Franklin still could not find a solution for Silva's powerful clinch and devastating knees.

Able to bring the fight to the second round this time, Franklin was still buckled by Silva's knees which would put an end to the bout at a little over one minute into the second round.

This title defense put an exclamation mark on Silva's reign and showed that he can take out the top guys over and over again.

3. UFC 126: Front Kick KOs Belfort

After almost losing the belt at UFC 117, Silva did not want to give Vitor Belfort any opportunities at UFC 126.

Both fighters, known for their striking prowess, were hesitant to engage initially in the opening round.  

After feeling each other out, both fighters began exchanging strikes. Belfort, however, left an opening that Silva could not pass up.

Throwing a basic front kick to the face of Belfort, Silva knocked him out, following up with a few strikes before referee Mario Yamasaki called an end to the bout at 3:25 in the first round.

By taking out one of the most dangerous strikers in UFC history, Silva again showed why his striking is the best in the world. His ability to use even the most basic of strikes most effectively exemplified his mastery over the striking arts.

2. UFC 82: Unifies UFC and Pride Belts, Submits Henderson

At UFC 82, UFC President Dana White pit champion against champion, having Anderson Silva take on the newly acquired Pride champion Dan Henderson to unify the belts.

Many thought that Henderson would have the advantage on the ground due to his Olympic wrestling pedigree. Boy, were they wrong.

In the first round, Henderson was able to take Silva down, but "The Spider" was able to lock Hendo down, with the Pride champion only able to pepper Silva with lackluster hammerfists.

The second round was all Silva dominating the stand-up, landing huge kicks and knees that buckled Henderson. After rocking Hendo in a huge exchange halfway through the round, Silva was able to gain top position on the ground, landing in his half guard.

Quickly, "The Spider" was able to transition to back control and sink in the rear naked choke for the win.

Defeating one of the most decorated champions in MMA history, Silva was able to cement his position as one of the best fighters in the world after this win.

1. UFC 117: Submits Sonnen in the Final Seconds

Not many people thought Chael Sonnen had a chance against Anderson Silva, with his only path to victory reliant on his strength and wrestling.

The combination of the two, however, proved to be an apparent kryptonite for the champion.

For almost five full rounds, Sonnen dominated the fight, grinding Silva down with his vicious takedowns and battering him with ground and pound shots. Even in the stand-up, Sonnen was able to rock the champion a few times.

But there's an intangible you gain as a champion, a fire that burns inside that won't let you quit. Not only does this fire keep a champion in the fight, it also lights a path to victory, illuminating holes in their opponent's game.

After trash talking about Silva's jiu-jitsu, Sonnen was unprepared for the submission game of Silva, a hole in Sonnen's game that his plagued him his whole career.

Losing to Demian Maia, Forrest Griffin and Renato Sobral via triangle choke in the past, Sonnen gave Silva the opportunity to gain the position. Sinking in his legs, Sonnen still resisted, but a transition to an armbar as well (another technique that has plagued Sonnen) forced the former All-American to tap.

Not only was this a spectacular finish to the fight, it showed that Silva is a true champion and can battle through adversity to find a path to victory.