UFC 134 Results: Will Anyone Ever Be Able to Break Anderson Silva's Records?

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is undoubtedly the best MMA fighter of the current generation. However, this does not guarantee that his illustrious records will be cemented for all time.

In fact, it is almost certain that his records (which are currently thought to be unbreakable) will eventually become simply watermarks for good fighters rather than the highest accomplishments possible.

How can this be possible? How can the most legendary feats thus far achieved in the UFC become relatively common?

When answering these questions, there are two key factors that must be considered. 

First, while MMA fighters represent the most finely conditioned athletes in the world who undergo the most rigorous training, the bulk of the world's superior athletes (genetically speaking) are still pursuing success in other sports, such as football or soccer, since there is simply more money and fame to be had there. 

The surge of growth that the UFC will experience over this decade will begin to attract a larger percentage of the most gifted athletes in the world. The consequences of superior athletes entering the UFC can already be seen in UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. 

Jones has dominated all comers and he is only 24 years of age. Why is he so good? NFL-caliber athleticism. Jones has a brother in the NFL who plays for the Baltimore Ravens and another brother who plays college football at Syracuse. 

Can you imagine a UFC where the top 10 of each division is as athletic or even more so than Jon Jones?

When this dramatic uptick in the athleticism of the average UFC fighter is combined with the fact that the UFC, by virtue of its growth, will have to put on more shows per year (in fact, according to an MMAjunkie.com interview, UFC president Dana White says he one day wants to do 100 UFC events per year), it can be seen that Anderson Silva's records will have to be broken sooner or later. 

Fourteen-straight UFC victories and nine-straight title defenses are amazing records now, but when there are better athletes and many more events each year, these records will eventually mean less and become more attainable. 

After all, did the records of Royce Gracie hold up?

In fact, it is practically common knowledge that the greats of yesteryear couldn't possibly contend with even a journeyman from the current generation of fighters. The same will be said long after Anderson Silva retires. The sport will always evolve, as will the records.

There will always be Tom Bradys to eclipse the Dan Marinos of the world, just as there will always be Anderson Silvas to eclipse the Royce Gracies.

Matt Saccaro is a Bleacher Report featured columnist. For more articles like this and for brilliant 140-character insights into MMA, follow him on Twitter @mattsaccaro.