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Anderson Silva Reveals His MMA Mount Rushmore: Khabib Nurmagomedov and BJ Penn Make the List
The UFC is the world’s most popular MMA platform, and the main reason for that is the plethora of outstanding fighters that have competed for the company. One such UFC legend is Anderson Silva, ‘The Spider’ is a former UFC middleweight champion ad holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history at 2,457 days.
During a recent interview with Give Me Sport, they asked the fighter to name his UFC’s Mount Rushmore. Silva along with Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson, and Khabib Nurmagomedov is considered one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time.
Therefore, it was interesting to hear the former UFC champion’s views on his UFC’s Mt. Rushmore. He said, “Well, there are lots of different fighters I respect, but if we’re talking about the best, I would say BJ Penn. What the guy did, he’s amazing, what he did for the sport.”
“Khabib, Khabib is a beast, he’s so amazing. He changed, how you say, his wrestling, his pressure, how he fights, he changed the game.”
“I would also say Royce Gracie – he started everything. Without him, there would be nothing. None of this, no UFC, nothing. My best friend ‘Minotauro’ as well. He’s my master. He gave me my black belt in jiu-jitsu.”
It surprised many people that Silva did not include the likes of Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones. However, ‘The Spider’ clearly believes that fighters like B. J. Penn and Nurmagomedov have done more to deserve a spot on his Mt. Rushmore.
What next for Anderson Silva?
Anderson Silva recently returned to action for the first time since his UFC Vegas 12 loss to Uriah Hall. The fighter competed against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 19, 2021, in a boxing match. This was Silva’s first boxing match after 16 years, ‘The Spider’ won the bout via Split decision.
Since then many people have been speculating as to what the fighter does next. After his last fight, Silva had said that he would love to return to action very soon. And we might see the MMA legend compete in another boxing match before the end of the year.
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What is your UFC Mount Rushmore? Let us know in the comments.
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