Aaron Rodgers, Anthony Pettis and the Top Wisconsin-Based Professional Athletes

Led by Aaron Rodgers, the 4-0 Green Bay Packers are on their way toward contending for back-to-back Super Bowls. While the Packers are likely the first professional team that comes to mind when sports fans think of Wisconsin, there are plenty of other great athletes making their mark in Milwaukee.

After topping the NL Central division for the first time ever, the Brewers have gotten off to a 2-0 start in the playoffs and are looking to win the World Series for the first time in franchise history. With a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, the Brewers would move onto the NLCS.

Also, the fast-rising sport of MMA has seen a number of its most talented contenders come out of Milwaukee. Located near the banks of Lake Michigan, Roufusport has become one of the most well-known gyms in the sport.

Before giving away too much information, here are the five best Wisconsin-based professional athletes in sports. 

Ben Askren

A two-time NCAA wrestling champion, Ben Askren has made an excellent transition into MMA. With only eight fights under his belt, Askren has remained undefeated and captured the Bellator welterweight title.

At Bellator 56, Roufusport-trained Askren will put his belt on the line for the first time. The October event will showcase one of the biggest fights in Bellator history, as Askren is scheduled to meet UFC veteran Jay Hieron in the main event.

Anthony Pettis

While Ben Askren is the gym's only fighter to currently hold a major title, Roufusport's true pride and joy is Anthony Pettis, who became the last WEC lightweight champion with an incredible performance against Ben Henderson.

After making the move to the UFC, the 24-year-old fighter saw a lightweight title shot slip away with a loss to Clay Guida, but Pettis still has plenty of room to grow as a fighter and reach the top of the 155-pound division.

Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews has gotten off to a quieter start this season, but if the linebacker's first two seasons with the Packers are any indication, he could break out at any time. 

As a rookie, Matthews was named the best defensive rookie in the NFC. The outside linebacker followed up his debut season by helping the Packers capture the Lombardi Trophy with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. Matthews was also named the best defensive player in the NFL after an excellent sophomore season.

Ryan Braun

Ryan Braun has been one of the key pieces in the success of the Brewers over recent years. In his first five seasons in Milwaukee, Braun has never hit fewer than 25 home runs in a season and only posted a regular-season batting average under .300 once in his career.

The NL Rookie of the Year in 2007, Braun has already been invited to the MLB All-Star Game four times and could be awarded his fourth straight Silver Slugger award later this year.

Aaron Rodgers

Since becoming the starting quarterback for the Packers, Aaron Rodgers has never thrown for fewer than 28 touchdowns in a season. The 27-year-old is on pace to surpass that mark with ease by the end of this season.

After leading the Packers to a Lombardi Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLV, Rodgers is the clear-cut king of sports in Wisconsin. With 12 touchdown passes and a perfect record in four starts this season, Rodgers could now be on his way to becoming one of the faces of sports across the country.