Is Anderson Silva the "all-time" best Athlete in the world?

[zam77]

I guess you would have to be an MMA fan to appreciate this question... that being said...

If you consider the greatest athletes in every sport ever, does anyone, has anyone ever had the edge as much as this guy? He is so gifted at what he does it's unparalleled.

Sure this is a highly debatable question, but imo Silva is steaking his claim.

[RichardMoss]

can be added into the top 10, no question about that.

[Vaughany]

Easily a contender (as are GSP and Frankie Edgar IMO)!

[VegasInsider]

Def top 10...he's a master at what he does for sure.

[WeinketoWarrick]

You gotta be kidding me.

He's not even top 25.

[JuicedUp]

GSP is a little better. Cant wait for silva vs gsp!!!

[fadeCOVERS4me]

top 10 thats a good ? idk theres a ton of athletes that r ahead of him 4 sure. but if u make it fighters then def in the top 5

[Kaladarus]

GSP is better.

[nyed1010]

zam, that is going way too far, especially when you're talking across all sports. And even in MMA, you have guys like Fedor, GSP, Aldo, that are right up there with him. There is no question Silva is currently the undisputed P4P champ with GSP a close second, but across all sports. That's stretching it by a lot.

[Resler]

He's been the champ longer than any UFC fighter ever. He'll take on whoever. I would say he is, but it depends how you define best athlete.

[rem sleep]

Hes the best MMA athlete in his weight class that is without question. He fights smart, he was toying with belfort until the perfect opportunity arose and thats when he ktfo outta belfort. He has amazing timing.

[Finalnub]

Definite has to be in the conversation imo, if not there

[Resler]

I think it would be pretty hard to name 9 people better or more dominating.

[zam77]

I guess it would have to be fighters... way to hard to compare to other sports and justify one being a better overall athlete than the other. But if it were to just come down to an athlete taking their pure raw God given talent and turning into being the best in their sport... Silva is just that.

I really don't see a strong argument otherwise

[Chugs]

Guy is Re-Duuuunkulous!

[WeinketoWarrick]

Athleticism is a combination of strength, speed, and hand-eye coordination.

I'd take half the power forwards in the NBA and half the starting RB's and LB's in the NFL over any MMA competitor in terms of pure athleticism...

Lebron, D. Howard, Blake Griffin...Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson...DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, Ed Reed...all those guys would destroy Silva in any kind of all-encompassing "athlete" competition.

[Resler]

Blake Griffin isn't the best NBA player, but he is incredible athlete. I guess you can't really say athlete because to me it means something different. I guess if you said, is Silva the best fighter in the world then I would say yes. If you said, is Silva the most dominating in his sport right now, I would say probably.

[Resler]

The best athletes in the world may be track stars, but that shit isn't exciting. Ussain Bolt looked to be the best Athlete in the world during the Olympics, but he's been beat since then.

[Poppa Catfish]

Athleticism is a combination of strength, speed, and hand-eye coordination.

I'd take half the power forwards in the NBA and half the starting RB's and LB's in the NFL over any MMA competitor in terms of pure athleticism...

Lebron, D. Howard, Blake Griffin...Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson...DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, Ed Reed...all those guys would destroy Silva in any kind of all-encompassing "athlete" competition.

yes of course, this is just your typical after event knee jerk response thread. Pretty much this is just saying, boy that Canderson Silva sure is good!

and he really is

[tealish]

The dude is a freaking ninja. KO with a front kick from a standstill position? Yikes.

[rem sleep]

Athleticism is a combination of strength, speed, and hand-eye coordination.

I'd take half the power forwards in the NBA and half the starting RB's and LB's in the NFL over any MMA competitor in terms of pure athleticism...

Lebron, D. Howard, Blake Griffin...Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson...DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, Ed Reed...all those guys would destroy Silva in any kind of all-encompassing "athlete" competition.

And all those guys would get KTFO if they were to fight Anderson Silva.

[Resler]

Yes he would knock them TFO. Just a bad question I guess. Silva v GSP, It has to happen.

[PRC]

very possible

[zam77]

Athleticism is a combination of strength, speed, and hand-eye coordination.

I'd take half the power forwards in the NBA and half the starting RB's and LB's in the NFL over any MMA competitor in terms of pure athleticism...

Lebron, D. Howard, Blake Griffin...Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson...DeMarcus Ware, Clay Matthews, Ed Reed...all those guys would destroy Silva in any kind of all-encompassing "athlete" competition.

Silva posseses every one of these in fighting as does any of your mentioned athletes do in their sport... actually he posseses it more imo. There is a commonly used term called "all around" athlete that you seem to be basing your argument on... I didn't use that term. Silva is a person participating in a sport, aka athlete.

[36mafia]

yep

as soon as silva retires, bones jones gon take dat title and wear it proudly

dude beastinnn

[Glitch]

how about....

michael phelps
adrian peterson
michael jordon
gsp
bo jackson
deion sanders

[Grind House]

Prisoner of the moment times a million. Athletes can pick up a basketball and play well. Get on a football field and hold down a skill position. Get a baseball bat and glove and not make himself look foolish. Has anyone seen Silva in any of those sports? He's on of the best MMA fighters but that's as far as I would go.

[Glitch]

michael irving
jesse owens
terrell owens
lawrence taylor
bill russell........

[Pauulzcappin]

I feel bad for people that say GSP is a better athlete. Are you fukking kidding me?

Anderson would destroy him if he wasn't such a bitch to fight in the middleweight division.

[Glitch]

chinese acrobats
barry sanders jr.
lebron james.....

[AribaAriba]

GSP is a little better. Cant wait for silva vs gsp!!!

GSP is better.

both of you prolly are Canucks, all GSP strong with is his Wrestling...

[Glitch]

pele
lance armstrong

[nyed1010]

to add to Glitch's list:
Wayne Gretzky
Sidney Crosby
Tiger Woods in his prime
Mike Tyson in his prime
Wilt Chamberlain
Maradona
Lionel Messi
Muhammad Ali
Sugar Ray Robinson

[King Mayan]

Easily a contender (as are GSP and Frankie Edgar IMO)!

Edgar

[King Mayan]

I feel bad for people that say GSP is a better athlete. Are you fukking kidding me?

Anderson would destroy him if he wasn't such a bitch to fight in the middleweight division.