Wanderlei Silva is one of the most brutal fighters in MMA history. The MMA Encyclopedia author Jonathan Snowden takes a look at one of his early bouts, a fight that showed just what the "Axe Murderer" was capable of.

Royce Gracie was a legend of the sport, seemingly unbeatable. In 2000, after five years on the sideline, he returned to mixed martial arts to battle the world's best. Could Kazushi Sakuraba, a pro wrestling jokester and undercard standout, possibly compete with the mythic Gracie? The answer to that question changed MMA history forever.

Before Josh Barnett was a star, he was just a doughy kid from Seattle with a dream. Jonathan Snowden looks back on the former UFC champion's rise to glory, starting with his upset win over Dan "The Beast" Severn.

Few in mixed martial arts dare to be different. Anthony Pettis did - and when it mattered most, in the final minute, of the final round, of the most important fight of his life.

Ikuhisa Minowa, Hong Mon Choi, and Jose Canseco. The Super Hulk Tournament had it all and Jonathan Snowden relives the freakiest of freak shows with announcer Michael Schiavello who called the action for HDNet.

Is MMA for the intellectual possible? Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida shows it is, adding a degree of sophistication and flair the sport had been lacking.