I'm looking at his record and it's scary. He's only lost once in the past 4 years and that loss was a disqualification that occured when he knocked his opponent out from the ground. He had been winning the fight up till the DQ.

The previous fight was a close fight that he lost in the last round by one of the craziest, luckiest submissions most people have claimed to have seen.

He lost his first professional fight ever by split decision.

When you keep in mind that he hasn't lost but once in 4 years and that he only has one loss in which he really was dominated in, you have to say that he may be one of the greatest ever.

Anderson Silva is a great fighter but he is not the best fighter in the world. Top 5? Yes. I have him as the #3 P4P fighter in MMA behind Fedor and GSP. Silva needs to face better competition then what he has in his last 3 fights which have been against guys who have no business being in the same octagon as him.

It appears that with Silva, he needs a strong opponent to bring out his A-game. He is a counter puncher in the standup and for him to put on a great fight he needs somebody willing to engage him.

His submission loss to Chonan was not lucky. People are split on who was winning the fight and it was relatively equal until the heel hook submission.

Only time will tell if Silva is one of the best ever or simply a great fighter who ruled a middle weight division that didn't really have anybody great competing in it during his title run.

Silva is definately top 3 best fighters in the world. I have to rate him #2 behind Fedor. For one reason only... Because I said if Fedor beats Arlovski then I have no doubt in my mind he is the best in the world. He not only beat Arlovski but put the pitbull sleep.

Silva is great but he's kinda like Manny Ramirez right now. "Anderson will be Anderson... Anderson works on Anderson time."

GSP is ranked #3 in my books. Dominates but in the wrestling division where no one really does much but wrestle. Even top strikers that go to the Welterweight division turn into wrestlers. I also put him here(a reason why people will probably bash me) because he neglects his stand up game now. He used to be incredible standing and okay at everything else. Now he is incredible at wrestling and okay at everything else.

Where as the other two I have ahead of him dont neglect anything.

Ive got him at number 2 behind Fedor, maybe number 1. Fedor isn't as active as he should be but he's still practically undefeated. If Silva gets past Forrest he'll be number 1, although there's GSP in the mix too and Machida

Id say silva definately ranks in at number 1. hes just at the end of his career now mentally and hes winning to win and get money for himself. look at his prime fights and theres no if ands or butts weather hes good, hes great.

Silva should move up in weight and join the elite 205. There would be some big fights for him there.

Very interesting thread topic and good discussion.

Personally, I still have Silva ranked number one. I mean sure the Leites win wasn't impressive but people are beginning to forget that he's still the top guy in the Middleweight division and no one has yet taken his crown since he entered the UFC. Fedor has recently been doing very well too but because of his inactivity I put him third. GSP out of all has been fighting the top competition, beating all of 'em and finishing his fights with superb endings. He's been phenomenal since he regained his title.

I would put him number 1 if it wasn't for Silva's long domination of the Middleweight division and the fact that GSP only has one real competition left and that's Alvez, however I think he will get by Alvez without much trouble. Therefore my P4P ranking is number 1 Silva, 2 is GSP and 3 is Fedor. It's really difficult and a case can be made for any of them to be switched around but I think it's fair the way I have it.

Silva #2

Silva is afraid of the ground when fighting guys with great BJJ skills.

Fedor isn't. He has no problems going to the ground and showed it when he fought Nog.

He was submitted by 2 smaller guys Takase and Chonan.
He aint that good how Dana White said!
P4P champ is FEDOR EMELIANENKO.

I would have to rate silva in #2 behind fedor because fedor is AMAZING at everything. He has extensive Judo and BBJ skills, Great at striking just watch him knock Silva and The Pit Bull, and his Sambo(Consistent World Champ) and Wrestling skill are world class. He has come across and beaten everyone.

Silva is great but fedor has fought a little bit better comp... I would love to see them fight. But that would never happen since they are 2 weight classes apart. I really want to see GSP vs Silva. I heard there might be a possibility in the future. Lets all hope!