[EmpireWF]

Based on the fighters I've seen this year, here's a look at the best of 2007. I didn't count guys who had one major fight (no Fedor, Brock Lesnar, Royce Gracie, etc.).

Randy Couture (16-8 overall, 2-0 in 2007) -- UFC
He began the year as a retired hall of famer. He ended the year as a (for the time being) retired hall of famer. So what made Randy "The Natural" Couture one of the best fighters in 2007? His unbelievable UFC heavyweight championship win and reign. In March he returned and within the opening minute, landed a picture perfect right hand on Tim Syliva's face. He lasted five rounds with a giant to win the championship. Months later he defeated Gabriel Gonzaga rather easily. Will we ever see Couture fight again? Perhaps not, but there's no doubt in 2007, he was king.

Quinton Jackson (29-6 overall, 3-0 in 2007) -- UFC
Rampage made his UFC debut in February and hasn't looked back since. He knocked out Marvin Eastman in the second round to set-up his return fight with Chuck Liddell. With the world watching, Rampage knocked The Iceman out in less than two minutes to win the UFC light heavyweight championship. Less than four months later, he unified the UFC and PRIDE 205 pound belts in a grueling fight with Dan Henderson. If it weren't for a broken hand, 2007 would have been one amazing year for Quinton Jackson.

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (4-1 overall, 2-0 in 2007) -- PRIDE
The man known as the "African Assassin" had an explosive start to 2007. In the now defunct PRIDE organization, he defeated Antonio Rogerio Nogueria and Ricardo Arona via KOs. Both also came in the first round. Sokoudjou has since been training and negotiating with several organizations. He makes his UFC debut on December 29th against the undefeated Lyoto Machida. A win then would make 2007 one hell of a year for Sokoudjou.

Rashad Evans (11-0-1 overall, 2-0-1 in 2007) -- UFC
The 2nd season winner of the Ultimate Fighter had a busy 2007, following on a heavy 2006. He began the year by main eventing UFC Fight Night 8 with Sean Salmon. The result of the fight has been replayed many times, a jumping knockout kick to Salmon. In July, Evans fought one of the UFC's best, Tito Ortiz. The fight ended in a draw due to a point deduction on Ortiz's behalf after repeated warnings from the official regarding holding the cage. His latest fight was his first PPV main event, fighting fellow undefeated TUF winner, Michael Bisping. Evans walked away maintaining an undefeated record, winning by split decision. Rashad Evans proved he could hang with some of the UFC's best. Perhaps a shot at gold is in Evans' future.

Urijah Faber (20-1 overall, 4-0 in 2007) -- WEC
The world's best featherweight had a very active year with four featherweight title defenses. None went to the judges with just one fight lasting past the opening round. He defeated Joe Pearson, Dominic Cruz, Chance Farrar and Jeff Curran with submissions. He has a big fight with Jens Pulver waiting him in 2008. Faber has been on a roll and doesn't look prepared to stop.

Jon Fitch (15-2 overall, 3-0 in 2007) -- UFC
Fitch has been one of the more underrated names in MMA due to a surplus of talent in the UFC's welterweight division. Fitch's first two fights of 2007 resulted in rear naked choke submission wins against Luigi Fioravanti and Roan Carneiro. At UFC 76, he handed Diego Sanchez his first loss via a split decision. Fitch could get a title shot in 2008 once the whole Matt Serra-injury is worked out.

Roger Huerta (20-1-1 overall, 5-0 in 2007) -- UFC
The first MMA fighter to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated has had many doubters. But 2007 was chock full of victory for the Spanish born Huerta. He defeated John Halverson at UFC 67 via TKO. A fight of the year candidate with Leonard Garcia at UFC 69 ended with a unanimous decision win. He defeated Douglas Evans and Alberto Crane via TKO during the summer. His most recent fight has been called another fight of the year candidate, a submission win against Clay Guida.

Anderson Silva (20-4 overall, 3-0 in 2007) -- UFC
He ended his 2006 in October by winning the UFC middleweight title after a TKO against Rich Franklin. He hasn't stopped yet, running over everyone the UFC has put in front of him. He submitted Travis Lutter at UFC 67 with elbows. He beat Nathan Marquardt by TKO due to strikes. In a return bout against Rich Franklin at UFC 77, he beat him again due to TKO. Silva has been the most unstoppable force in the UFC and a rumored bout with Dan Henderson in 2008 would be most interesting.


Honorable Mentions:
Clay Guida (22-9 overall, 1-3 in 2007)UFC...entertaining fighter
Carlos Condit (21-4 overall, 3-0 in 2007)WEC
Jake Shields (20-4-1 overall, 4-0 in 2007)EXC, K-1 & Bodog Fight
Robbie Lawler (16-4 overall, 3-0 in 2007)EXC, Icon Sport, IFL
Lyoto Machida (11-0 overall, 3-0 in 2007)UFC
Forrest Griffin (15-4 overall, 2-0 in 2007)UFC...shocked Shogun Rua with submission win

[Seahawker 562]

you forgot forest griffen. greatness

[bears9]

Originally Posted by Seahawker 562

you forgot forest griffen. greatness

No he didn't Forest got honorable mention

[Seahawker 562]

Originally Posted by bears9

No he didn't Forest got honorable mention

oh yea sorry, didnt look at honorable mentions