5 UFC fighters who deserve to follow Daniel Cormier and Khabib Nurmagomedov into the 2022 Hall of Fame class

#2. Frank Shamrock - former UFC light heavyweight champion

Frank Shamrock was a force to reckon with [Image via @frankshamrock on Instagram]

Frank Shamrock makes a strong case for induction into the Hall of Fame as a pioneer of modern MMA. He was one of the first fighters to introduce the art of mixing up different styles of fighting in the cage.

In his debut fight for Dana White's promotion, he submitted Kevin Jackson 16 seconds into the opening round to become the first light heavyweight champion of the promotion. He defended his title four times before leaving the organization with a spotless record of 5-0.

Shamrock faced future Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz in his last fight in the octagon. The 1999 Fight of the Year was a clear test of Shamrock's durability as a fighter. Despite multiple takedowns from Ortiz, Shamrock still had enough energy to knock him out in the fourth round.

After leaving the UFC, Shamrock fought in WEC and Strikeforce before hanging up his gloves in 2011.

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#1. Anderson Silva - former UFC middleweight champion

Anderson Silva will forever be remembered as one of the best to ever do it

Arguably no fighter has a stronger claim to the Class of 2022 than Anderson Silva. The former middleweight champion was the perfect example of poise and explosiveness inside the octagon.

During his prime, 'The Spider' was perhaps the most consistent fighter in the promotion and almost seemed superhuman. With 16 consecutive victories, he holds the record for the longest win streak in the promotion. Additionally, he also has the fourth-most finishes in the promotion's history. Only three of his seventeen wins in the octagon came via judges' decision.

Of Silva's many notable performances in the octagon, the ones against Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort arguably stand apart - for different reasons. While the former tested Silva's tenacity, the latter was proof of his explosiveness.

At UFC 117, Silva returned from the brink of defeat to submit Sonnen in the final round. With Sonnen leading through four rounds, Silva pulled off a magnificent triangle armbar to successfully defend his title.

Against Vitor Belfort at UFC 126, it was business as usual for Silva as he knocked Belfort out with a stunning front kick to the face. While the world had almost gotten used to seeing 'The Spider' doing this to his opponents, no one expected him to fold a prime Belfort the way he did.

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