Issue 045

January 2009

Back in Issue 40 we spoke with a panel of experts from the world of MMA and asked who they thought were worthy nominees for the World MMA Awards.  

With the votes counted and the winners now in, we asked the same panel their thoughts on those who walked away with the core awards. 

Hywel Teague, Editor of Fighters Only magazine

For me, Anderson is a true fighter’s fighter. Few in the business have a bad word to say about him, not as a fighter and certainly not as a person. He brings a level of artistry to the game that fills me with excitement – he is the pre-eminent athlete among a generation of extremely skilled all-round fighters. 

Kevin Iole: Veteran boxing writer and chief MMA reporter for Yahoo! Sports   

Anderson Silva: you’re talking about a guy who has so many ways to win a fight. He’s spectacular in the way that he wins his fights, the last fight not withstanding. He’s had a tremendous year. He clarified the fact that he or Fedor Emelianenko is the number one fighter in the world.    

Loretta Hunt: News Editor for Sherdog.com and author of several books on MMA

It was probably Silva’s bout with two-time Olympic wrestler Dan Henderson in March that solidified the Brazilian atop the rankings. He stumbled a little with his awkward victory over the overmatched Patrick Cote this last October, but Silva has won over the fans with his cool, concentrated stand-up style.  

Jacob ‘Stitch’ Duran: The best-known cutman in MMA, and official cutman for the UFC

The thing with Anderson is he just stays so busy. I had the privilege of wrapping his hands for his last fight [with Cote]. You know, he’s such a nice guy and he represents the sport as good as anybody out there. I think he’s a very good choice. Fans respect him for his skills, but fighters look at him as not just a good fighter but also a good person. Silva, hands down, definitely deserves that title.  

Mark Gilbert: Deputy sports editor for The Sun Online and regular face on Setanta’s UFC TV show, Ultimate Talk

Another dominant year from The Spider, proving no one in the middleweight division can touch him. Silva even stepped into the light heavyweight division – briefly – but his 61 second KO of James Irvin suggests the Brazilian’s future may lie at the heavier weight.