No. 5: Antonio "Big Foot" Silva
Even with his stunning upset victory over Fedor Emelianenko during the first round of the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament, Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva continues to remain a relatively unknown as a title contender.
This black belt in jiu-jitsu, judo, and karate, Silva possesses an extremely impressive 16-2 overall MMA record with 11 knockout victories.
A huge heavyweight with excellent boxing skills, a solid chin, a very established ground game, and the ring experience to utilize all of his assets, Silva will continue to challenge the sport's top heavyweights.
Ultimately, Antonio "Big Foot" Silva will be considered one of the top heavyweights within MMA.
No. 4: "Cigano" Junior Dos Santos
In my opinion, Junior dos Santos is quickly becoming the premiere puncher in mixed martial arts.
This Brazilian has established an overall MMA record of 12-1 with eight "breath-gasping" knockout victories.
A human wrecking machine, dos Santos's boxing pedigree is an idealistic blend of perfection in training and an innate ability to strike with savage viciousness and power.
The main event at UFC131 comprising of an epic battle between two hard-hitting heavyweights; Shane Carwin and Junior dos Santos, will be a fight in which fables are cast.
No. 3: Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum
Up until his
Submission of the Decade victory over Fedor Emelianenko in June of 2010, Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum was more well-known for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu world tournament victories and his win over future Strikeforce heavyweight champion, Alistair Overeem, in May of 2006.
A wizard off his back, Werdum's recognition as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion is second to none.
His prowess as a submission grappler awards "Vai Cavalo" a tremendous advantage on the ground inside the Octagon.
With the possibility of earning two victories over Alistair Overeem, Werdum is scheduled to face the Dutch champion in the quaterfinals of the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament on June 18, 2011.
No. 2: Current Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, Alistair Overeem
The current Strikeforce heavyweight champion, Alistair "The Demolition Man" Overeem continues to demolish any opponent who dares to stand in his way.
Attacked by MMA experts and ranked lower on many lists for his unwillingness to compete as an ultimate fighter on a consistent basis, my placement as the No. 2 heavyweight fighter will come as a surprise to many.
A tremendous physical specimen, Overeem's overwhelming strength and power has earned him dominant victories inside the cage and an aura of invincibility outside of it.
Couple this fact with his world-champion kick-boxing skills and versatility as a fighter, and the current Strikeforce heavyweight champion has very little holes in his game.
Additionally, Overeem is willing stand and trade, yet has an excellent submission game and brutal ground-and-pound.
Definitely a devastating force inside the cage, I consider Alistair Overeem the No. 2 heavyweight fighter across all of MMA.
No. 1: Current UFC Heavyweight Champion, Cain Velasquez
At 9-0 with eight knockouts, the current UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez, has shown no chinks in his championship armor to date.
Manhandling each opponent who has entered the Octagon, Velasquez has defeated elite level heavyweights including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Brock Lesnar.
A two-time NCAA wrestling champion at Arizona State, ironically, Velasquez's forte inside the cage lies with his striking ability.
A tremendous athlete with excellent balance, the current UFC heavyweight champion possesses the ability to execute kicks and punches from all angles and planes.
Sidelined with a shoulder injury for the majority of 2011, Velasquez will defend his current title against the victor of Shane Carwin-Junior dos Santos sometime in 2012.
The champion amongst champions, Cain Velasquez is truly the world's greatest heavyweight mixed martial artist.
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