Jose Aldo and the Top 10 Brazilian Fighters in the UFC

After the tremendous success of UFC 134 in Brazil, the UFC is already heading back to the home of "Vale Tudo" for another stacked event.

While the United States is excellent at producing wrestlers and professional athletes/fighters, many of the top fighters in the sport still come from Brazil.

Three UFC champions are Brazilian and many more are top contenders.  These are the top 10 Brazilian fighters in the UFC.

10. Demian Maia

Maia exploded into the UFC with five straight submission victories; four of them earning "submission of the night."

His grappling ability is nearly unparalleled and with his striking having evolved rapidly, Maia has earned the reputation of being one of the best fighters in the world.

9. Diego Nunes

Diego Nunes shot up the featherweight rankings after defeating Mike Brown, before losing a close and competitive battle with Kenny Florian.

Up next, Nunes will try to reinforce his standing in the division by taking on former title challenger and talented judo player, Manny Gamburyan.

8. Thiago Alves

In his last fight, Alves proved why he is still one of the top welterweights in the sport.  

Alves brutalized Papi Abedi on the feet and then followed him to the ground and finished the fight with a rear-naked choke in the first round.

Up next, Alves faces fellow welterweight stalwart Martin Kampmann in what should be a dynamite matchup.

7. Renan Barao

Barao entered the UFC with some hype and a ridiculous winning streak.  After finishing Brad Pickett in the first round at UFC 138, Barao proved he is the real deal.

He is not just a future star with tons of potential to fulfill, he is a legitimate top-ranked bantamweight and a serious contender to Dominick Cruz's crown.

6. Vitor Belfort

A former champion and one of the UFC's first big stars, Belfort has retained his devastating striking to reemerge as one of the most dangerous contenders in the UFC.

Aside from his knockout loss to middleweight champion Anderson Silva, recently Belfort seems to knock out everyone put in front of him.

5. Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida has only two losses on his record, and the split-decision loss to Quinton Jackson is one I'm sure he'd be eager to avenge given the chance.

A former light heavyweight champion and Karate master, Machida is perhaps the most disciplined and patient martial artist in the UFC.

4. Mauricio Rua

He may have dropped two out of his last three, but "Shogun" Rua is still a championship-level fighter and one of the absolute best in the sport.

His last fight, against Dan Henderson, was one of the best in history.  At just 30 years of age, this legend still has plenty of good years left in him and will continue to be a compelling draw for hardcore and casual fans alike.

3. Junior Dos Santos

The heavyweight champion of the world is riding high after knocking out then-champion Cain Velasquez in about a minute in the UFC's debut on FOX.

Dos Santos made an immediate impact when he first entered the UFC and he has not looked back.

Going 8-0 in the UFC, Dos Santos has knocked out six of his opponents and brutalized Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson en route to convincing victories.

2. Jose Aldo

Aldo entered the UFC as their inaugural featherweight champion and now looks to defend his title for a third time, this time in Brazil.

A well-rounded fighter with particularly ferocious striking, Aldo looks forward to challenges.

His next opponent will be his toughest yet as he faces undefeated wrestler Chad Mendes.

1. Anderson Silva

Regarded by many as the best fighter in the sport today, and possibly of all time.

Whenever Anderson steps into the octagon, you can very well be prepared to see something you have never seen before.  And with surprising frequency, that often means a spectacular knockout.

Anderson Silva has a swagger and confidence in the octagon that may often be imitated, but probably never replicated.