Top MMA Teams CHUTE BOXE ACADEMY

Though it is man vs man once you step in the ring/cage, we all know it takes a team to get one ready for the top tier in combat sports. Up first in my first ongoing series, we examine the top talent of the dangerous Brazilian squad known as the Chute Boxe Academy.

Wanderlei "Axe Murderer" Silva 31-7-1 The 31 year old Light Heavyweight legend is known for highlight reel KO's and non-stop in your face brutality and unmatched Muay Thai skills coupled with a Brazilian Ju Jitsu black belt. He was the Pride FC Middleweight Champion for almost 6 years, and was the Pride FC 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix Champion. From 1999 to 2004 Silva won 19 fights in a row defeating legends such as Kazushi Sakuraba, Rampage Jackson, Ricardo Arona, Guy Metzger, Dan Henderson, and Hidehiko Yoshida. Silva has now moved to the United States and is doing some training with Rand Couture and his gym co-owned by Bas Rutten in hopes of mounting a comeback in the UFC after 2 straight losses. Wanderlei is the unofficial leader of Chute Boxe and is the most recognized fighter in the clan.

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua 16-2 The 25 year old Light Heavyweight is the new rising star in the Chute Boxe ranks has soared to super stardom. He won 13 fights in Pride FC before taking his first loss in a freak injury accident to Mark Coleman. He also destroyed the competition on his way to winning the 2005 Pride FC Grand Prix. Shogun also has that aggressive Muay Thai style as well as the stomps and kicks, but now signed with the UFC, those stomps and kicks become illegal, while a new weapon, the elbow can be used. One of the faster Chute Boxe members, Rua's gas tank never runs low as he pushes the pace of every fight to its max. Mauricio has beaten such big names as Quinton Jackson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Alistair Overeem and Ricardo Arona. His next task is his first bout in the UFC against crowd favorite Forrest Griffin.

Murilo "Ninja" Rua 14-7-1 The 27 year old brother of Shogun Rua is the current Elite XC Middleweight Champion and has fought in three different weight classes, never backing down from a fight. Murilo is a schitzophrentic fighter winning some and losing some, but when he is "on" he is one of the best in the world.

Fabricio Werdum 9-3-1 The newest member of Chute Boxe is a Heavyweight Ju Jitsu specialist who has come to improve his stand up skills for which this squad is so well known. Having trained with Mirko Cro Cop for many years, Werdum wanted a change and is now at his new home. His most notable win is over Gabriel Gonzaga the #1 contender for the UFC Heavyweight Title. Werdum is coming off a loss to Andrei Arlovski and has vowed to improve his relatively young fight game in leaps and bounds.

Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos 15-10 The craziest and most unpredictable of the Chute Boxe team has also become on of its most beloved. Cyborg is a non-stop killing machine whose fight against Melvin Manhoef in Cage Rage remains legendary. The guy just loves to fight and doesn't mind getting hit in the process of his always entertaining fights.

Luiz Azerado 11-6 Luiz won his first ever fight against non other than Anderson Silva. Now the Welterweight has his sights set on the Cage Rage title and a rise to the top.

Thiago Silva 10-0 This young Light Heavyweight is the future of Chute Boxe. He has yet to taste defeat and is now signed with the UFC. The guy is a KO artist (shockingly) and is ready to show the world he belongs with the elite Chute Boxe members. Watch for this kid!

Evan Tanner 32-6 Yes that Evan Tanner, a former UFC Middleweight Champion and legendary drinker. The veteran fighter has had many recent personal problems in his life which have led him away from fighting and caused him much grief. Painfully honest on his MySpace site, Tanner has chronicled his rise and fall throughout his career. Now sober and seeking redemption, Evan has signed on with the Chute Boxe team to take his game to a new level in hopes of a comeback. Look for the new Evan Tanner to return to the UFC this year!

There are many more fighters under the Chute Boxe banner, but these are the best. Of course, it was all started in 1978 by Rudimar Fedrigo as a Muay Thai school, which later adopted all aspects and styles of MMA. One of the top and most recognized teams in all of MMA, Chute Boxe is now led by Master Rafael Cordeiro and once began the careers of such fighters as Anderson Silva, Gabriel Gonzaga, Pele Landis, Assueiro Silva, and Nino Schembri. They have a heated rivalry with the Brazilian Top Team, and the notorious Hammer House.

The Chute Boxe Academy continues to dominate the MMA world today and churns out some of the top prospects in all of the sport. Some would consider them the best squad of all time but none can deny their success and popularity.

Next up, we focus on perhaps the top school of today, with the Miletich Fighting System and their Champion fighters.