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Alright, Sherbums, I need your help settling an argument with my buddy. We’re debating which group of fighters faced the better strikers: Alex Pereira/Israel Adesanya or Anderson Silva during his legendary UFC run. My stance? The striking level on Pereira’s and Adesanya’s resumes is clearly better, and here’s why:
Pereira/Adesanya’s Resume Highlights:
• Alex Pereira fought Adesanya twice in MMA (beating him once), Sean Strickland, and Jan Błachowicz. Say what you want about Jan, but his kickboxing and power aren’t to be ignored.
• Israel Adesanya faced an absolute murderer’s row of strikers, including:
• Robert Whittaker (twice), one of the most versatile and effective strikers in MMA.
• Kelvin Gastelum, Paulo Costa, Jared Cannonier, and even Yoel Romero (unorthodox, but striking-heavy).
• Let’s not forget his title unification bout with Alex Pereira, one of the most decorated kickboxers to ever enter MMA.
Anderson Silva’s Resume Highlights:
• Anderson Silva certainly fought greats, but were the strikers on his resume as good overall? Here are some of the key names:
• Vitor Belfort—arguably Silva’s best striker opponent, but his style was more power boxing-focused than diverse striking.
• Dan Henderson—a legend, but his striking was mostly about that right hand.
• Rich Franklin—had effective striking but wasn’t at the level of Pereira or Adesanya’s opponents.
• Forrest Griffin—a fun fight, but Griffin wasn’t exactly known for his elite striking.
My Argument:
The diversity and technical level of striking on Pereira’s and Adesanya’s resumes far outclasses Silva’s. They’ve faced fighters with more dynamic striking skills, while Silva often dealt with one-dimensional opponents. Yes, Anderson’s dominance and creativity are legendary, but that doesn’t mean his competition was the strongest when it came to striking.
I’ll drop a poll below, but let me hear your takes: Who faced the better strikers—Pereira/Adesanya or Silva? Let’s settle this once and for all!
Pereira/Adesanya’s Resume Highlights:
• Alex Pereira fought Adesanya twice in MMA (beating him once), Sean Strickland, and Jan Błachowicz. Say what you want about Jan, but his kickboxing and power aren’t to be ignored.
• Israel Adesanya faced an absolute murderer’s row of strikers, including:
• Robert Whittaker (twice), one of the most versatile and effective strikers in MMA.
• Kelvin Gastelum, Paulo Costa, Jared Cannonier, and even Yoel Romero (unorthodox, but striking-heavy).
• Let’s not forget his title unification bout with Alex Pereira, one of the most decorated kickboxers to ever enter MMA.
Anderson Silva’s Resume Highlights:
• Anderson Silva certainly fought greats, but were the strikers on his resume as good overall? Here are some of the key names:
• Vitor Belfort—arguably Silva’s best striker opponent, but his style was more power boxing-focused than diverse striking.
• Dan Henderson—a legend, but his striking was mostly about that right hand.
• Rich Franklin—had effective striking but wasn’t at the level of Pereira or Adesanya’s opponents.
• Forrest Griffin—a fun fight, but Griffin wasn’t exactly known for his elite striking.
My Argument:
The diversity and technical level of striking on Pereira’s and Adesanya’s resumes far outclasses Silva’s. They’ve faced fighters with more dynamic striking skills, while Silva often dealt with one-dimensional opponents. Yes, Anderson’s dominance and creativity are legendary, but that doesn’t mean his competition was the strongest when it came to striking.
I’ll drop a poll below, but let me hear your takes: Who faced the better strikers—Pereira/Adesanya or Silva? Let’s settle this once and for all!
