2007 "Fighter Of The Year" Anderson "Spider" Silva

Can there be any doubt as to the fighter of the year for 2007? UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson "Spider" Silva (20-4) strolled into 2007 after dismantling Rich Franklin in October of 2006 with the belt securely laid upon his shoulder. Its not just the fact that he defended his belt three times this year and won each bout, but the man finished each opponent without allowing them the glimpse of the 3rd round or even the idea of a 4th or 5th round. It took the Black House team leader all of 13:08 in 3 fights to dispose of the top contenders the UFC had to offer.

For those making the case for Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to be "Fighter Of The Year" consider this. Rampage took 25 minutes to win a close decision over Dan Henderson in one fight and though the KO of Chuck Liddell was impressive, his only other win was over journeyman Marvin Eastman. Anderson fought ju jitsu blackbelt Travis Lutter and submitted the man at his own game after everyone thought of Silva as only a stand up fighter. He then fought Nathan Marquardt, 7 record times "King Of Pancrase" and with a beautiful reverse switch move that got him control of the fight, and then let those long limbs to reign down the punches for the TKO win. Finally, it was rematch time with a re-tooled and healthy Rich Franklin. Though Rich got out of the 1st stanza, the result would end the same. Anderson's brutal thai clinch and sharp knees began the end of Franklin who got his nose broken by the champ for the 2nd time!

Silva is riding a 6 fight win streak into 2008 with the break being a DQ for a low kick in 2006 against Yushin Okami who may be a future opponent if he successfully defends his title in the new year against Pride FC Middleweight Champion Dan Henderson. The fact of the matter is nobody has been as consistent or as dominating in 2007 than the "Spider." He has climbed the charts in not only the Middleweight Top 10 but also as many writers Top 10 "Pound For Pound" MMA fighter in the world. A banner year for the Brazilian who keeps disposing of opponents in spectacular fashion. Congratulations 2007 "Fighter Of The Year" Anderson "Spider" Silva.