7 Most Complete Fighters in MMA Right Now

Often people who are enamored with the sport of MMA label fighters as "complete" fighters.  This term is thrown around by spectators, commentators and fighters alike, without taking the time to evaluate who truly deserves the accolade of being called a complete fighter.  

First, let's define what a complete fighter is.  A fighter must possess an above average skill set that includes every facet of mixed martial arts—good striking, excellent take-down defense, above average wrestling, great Brazilian jiu-jistu and effective submission—to be labeled complete.  

Often times a fighter is touted as being complete, only to be exposed when fighting a competitor who has excelled in an area that the fighter has fallen behind in.  Case in point, Jose Aldo vs Mark Hominick at UFC 129 exposed a seemingly infallible Jose Aldo as being vulnerable on his back, as Hominick passed his guard with ease in later rounds.

The fighters in this list are truly well-rounded fighters who deserve being called "complete fighters."

UFC's Longest Tenured Belt Holder: Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva

Anderson "The Spider" Silva very well may be the best UFC we have ever seen.  His list of accomplishments is as long as Bobby Brown's arrest record.  He is easily the most unbeatable champion the UFC has had and a no doubt first ballot UFC Hall of Famer

His game is impeccable.  He's the longest reigning UFC champion, which means that there have been many, many chances for any facet of his game to be exploited, but that has not happened.  Outside of the valiant effort displayed by Chael Sonnen at UFC 117, no one has even had Silva in trouble.  

His brilliant striking is on par with former boxing great Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker's head movement and defensive style of pugilism.  He has outstanding take-down defense, and in the event that he does get taken down or has the take someone else down, he is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jistu, so he is still in his element.

All in all, there doesn't seem to be any weakness in Anderson Silva's game.  Maybe this next guy can stop him...

2008-2010 Canadian Athlete of the Year: Georges "Rush" St-Pierre

Georges St-Pierre is just a flat out amazing athlete.  It appears that he would succeed in any sport he even thought of attempting.  He's the guy other guys hated in high school.  Great at sports, great in class and great with the girls.  His training regimen is unmatched and his thirst to learn is unrivaled.  That's what makes him great.

The base of his game is his black belt in Kyokushin Karate, which is why he always comes to ring draped in his gi.  He mixes this with Olympic-caliber wrestling skills and the most effective and punishing jab in the UFC today.  Just ask Josh Koscheck how well St-Pierre can work his jab if you want an example.  His submission traits are also on point, as evidenced in submitting UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes at UFC 79.  He completes his game with a Brazilian jiu-jistu black belt, under the tutelage of Renzo Gracie and Bruno Fernandes.  

In his weight class, he appears to be unbeatable.  Perhaps after his next title defense against Nick Diaz at UFC 137 the UFC will consider the ultimate blockbuster fight.  "St-Pierre vs Silva for the pound for pound championship at Cowboys Stadium."  

We all have dreams...  

UFC's Youngest Champion Ever: Jon "Bones" Jones

Truly a prodigy in the sport, Jonny "Bones" Jones has climbed the rugged terrain of the UFC's most storied division seemingly with ease.  He has yet to be tested in a division where the belt has changed hands six times since 2007.  

Bones has remarkable skills that start with his wrestling base.  He is a former JUCO National Champion, so he has the pedigree of a great wrestling, ground and pound fighter.  Couple that with his unorthodox striking with sharp elbows that come from all angles, and competition is in serious trouble.  

Being 6'4", he has the longest reach in the UFC at 84.5 inches, so opponents can't close in to get underneath his striking.  As evidenced in his shorts with the slits up the sides, he has great muay thai (he should play Sagat if they come out with a new Street Fighter movie).  And the final piece of the puzzle, if he does get taken down, his submission game is unbelievable.

For now, Jon Jones looks unstoppable, but he is young.  Time tends to show what people are truly made of...

Former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion: "The Prodigy" B. J Penn

No list of complete fighters can be complete without "The Prodigy," B.J. Penn.  A virtual lock as a UFC Hall of Famer, no one has taken the MMA world by storm quite like Penn.  His natural skills have propelled him to a fantastic MMA career.

B. J.'s base is his Brazilian jiu-jistu.  He is so skilled at the art form that he was the first non-Brazilian winner of the World Jiu-Jistu Championships in the black belt class.  To add to that, he has great hand speed, boxing instincts and muay thai knees that keep opponents honest.  If the fight is taken to the ground his guard is impregnable.  Just like his ability to knock an opponent out in stand-up, he can submit anyone from anywhere.  

It's no mistake that he's only the second man to win titles in two UFC divisions. 

Strikeforce Lightweight Champion: Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez

I know, I know...a fighter from Strikeforce?  Have you seen Gilbert Melendez fight?  If you haven't seen him scrap, you don't know everything that "El Nino" is about.  He is the first WEC Lightweight Champion and the reigning Strikeforce Champion since 2009

Gilbert's bread and butter is his striking.  He isn't the most technically sound boxer but he has dynamite in both hands, reminiscent of Roberto Duran, a.k.a. "Hands of Stone."  He can knock opponents out from all angles.  He also has relentless take-downs if he's in the mood for a ground and pound showcase.  To top things off he's un-mountable in a scramble and defends take-downs very well.  

If you doubt this opinion, go back and look at his previous bout against perennial title contender Clay Guida, or check out his next title defense against Jorge Masvidal in December.  I challenge you to say he isn't a complete fighter...

Former WEC Welterweight Champion: "The Natural Born Killer" Carlos Condit

Although he hasn't won a UFC title yet, that doesn't mean that Carlos Condit isn't a complete fighter.  "The Natural Born Killer" has an exactly equal number of knockouts as he does submissions.  He can beat you on the feet as well as on the ground.  

Carlos' well-rounded game starts with a muay thai base.  He honed his skills early in his fighting days in Shootboxing and Pancrase.  Shootboxing utilizes the stand up areas and this is where his fearless striking comes from.  He is just as likely to do a flying knee as he is to jab, so opponents don't know what to expect. He knocked out Dong Hyun Kim with that flying knee, so it's not only unorthodox, it's also effective. He adds in an uncanny scrambling ability that seems to be a gift.  Finally, as all champions must be able to do, he can end a fight with his hands or with a submission, in the event that he gets in trouble.

Mark my words, he will fight for a UFC belt before all is said and done... 

WEC Veteran and UFC Barnstormer: Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone

Once again, coming out of left field with someone who isn't a UFC Champion.  Just because they aren't a UFC Champion doesn't mean that they aren't a complete fighter.  Let's make this point.  A complete fighter is saying that the fighter possess all of the tools to be a champion—striking, take-downs, clinch, submissions, etc.  That doesn't always mean that the fighter uses those skills to the best of their ability in every fight.  Every fighter is fallible.  

In Donald Cerrone's case, he has an unbelievable array of skills at his disposal that he employs often in his victories.  Starting things off is his muay thai base.  He fought numerous muay thai matches before transitioning to MMA so he is well versed in the muay thai discipline.  

Secondly is his length.  Length can't be taught, only obtained and he utilizes his length well with kicks to create distance.  His take-down defense is often impregnable, but if he is taken down he has the best rubber guard in the game.  He's deadly with submissions off his back, so there isn't a place that the opponent is safe.

We can refer you to the 2009 Fight of the Year against Ben Henderson as evidence that he is a well-rounded opponent for any foe.