The 5 best title reigns in UFC history

#3: Anderson Silva – UFC Middleweight title – 10/14/2006 to 07/06/2013

Anderson Silva's title reign lasted nearly 7 years

The longest title reign in UFC history, Anderson Silva’s run as Middleweight champion was truly epic. The Brazilian made a total of 10 successful title defences during his near-7 year run, and could’ve had more – his first challenger Travis Lutter missed weight, turning their fight into a non-title affair, and he also took 3 non-title fights at 205lbs during his reign too.

‘The Spider’ first captured the title from Rich Franklin in October 2006, and by the time his reign ended in 2013, he was considered by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter alive. Silva’s finish rate as champion was also fantastic – of his 10 defences, only two men – Thales Leites and Demian Maia – lasted the distance, and the others were finished in usually spectacular fashion.

Silva did come under criticism for the Leites and Maia fights, with the overriding feeling being that he was toying with overmatched opponents. And that’s what keeps him in 3rd place for me – while Franklin, Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson, Vitor Belfort and Chael Sonnen were hugely tough opponents, none of Leites, Maia, Patrick Cote or Yushin Okami were considered the best challengers at the time Silva defeated them.

Throw in a chequered history with failed drug tests – Silva has two on his resume, both after his title reign – and like with Jones, you have to question his pre-USADA run. Silva is undoubtedly one of the greatest champions in UFC history and his epic reign was definitely impressive – but it’s not quite the best ever.