The debate on who holds the title of Middleweight G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) has been a hot topic in the UFC in recent years, and with Israel Adesanya and his recent recapturing of the 185-pound championship, the conversation has been reignited.
Franklin had a chance to share his opinion on the subject with The Schmo, and he had no hesitation in declaring Silva the victor. “Absolutely not, it will always be Anderson Silva,” Franklin stated. “The reason why is because Anderson beat me so I had to be beat by the greatest, right? No, Israel will always be No. 3. It’s Anderson then me then Israel.”
Anderson Silva: The Unbeatable Middleweight GOAT according to UFC Hall of Famer Rich Franklin
Silva’s incredible 10-defense reign started in October 2006 with a brutal first-round knockout of Franklin, and the pair later rematched one year later, resulting in the same outcome just one round later. Although Adesanya already has a win over Silva and has five total title defenses to his name, Franklin firmly believes that Silva’s unbeaten 16-fight streak in the UFC speaks for itself.
Nonetheless, Franklin has great respect for Adesanya’s abilities in the cage, calling him an “amazing fighter” and “an amazing athlete.” He also noted that Adesanya’s victory over Alex Pereira in his recent title win was impressive.
UFC Hall of Famer says Anderson Silva ‘will always’ be G.O.A.T. middleweight: ‘Israel Adesanya will always be No. 3’ https://t.co/QjBMzAv2kr pic.twitter.com/mEh1o6kZMm
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) May 4, 2023
While Adesanya’s recent achievements have reignited the debate about the greatest middleweight of all time, one UFC Hall of Famer, Rich Franklin, is confident that Anderson Silva will always be the GOAT. Franklin cited Silva’s 16-fight unbeaten streak, which included ten successful title defenses, as the main reason for his claim.
According to Franklin, Adesanya’s recent victory over Alex Pereira and his similarities with Silva’s striking style is impressive, but they still can’t compare to the accomplishments of “The Spider.” Franklin, who lost to Silva in his UFC debut, claims that Silva is the greatest middleweight of all time, followed by himself and then Adesanya.
The Unbreakable Legacy of Anderson Silva: Why Israel Adesanya Will Always Be Number 3
Silva’s remarkable 10-defense reign began in 2006 when he knocked out Franklin in the first round. The pair rematched a year later, resulting in another first-round knockout victory for Silva. Silva, who has stopped actively competing, is still a well-known figure in the MMA community and currently holds the position of Vice President for ONE Championship.
This weekend, the promotion makes its United States debut in Broomfield, Colorado, with ONE Fight Night 10, featuring another surefire future UFC Hall of Famer and former champion, the consecutive title defense record holder at 11, Demetrios Johnson.
“Mighty Mouse” looks to successfully defend his ONE title in a trilogy against Adriano Moraes. Adesanya’s recent achievements have brought him back to the forefront of legendary discussions in the middleweight division, there will always be a debate over who is the greatest of all time.
For Rich Franklin, the answer will always be Anderson Silva. As the sport continues to evolve and new contenders emerge, only time will tell who will ultimately earn the title of Middleweight GOAT.
