5 reasons why Israel Adesanya may never surpass Anderson Silva as the UFC middleweight GOAT

#2 Anderson Silva's UFC numbers don't lie

UFC 200: Tate v Nunes

Often, when it comes to sporting superstars, records are the biggest reason behind them achieving GOAT status - understandably so. Anderson Silva has almost every record in the book when it comes to the UFC middleweight division.

Silva competed in the most middleweight title fights (13), has the longest title reign in UFC history (2,457 days), has the longest win streak in UFC history (16), has the most knockdowns in UFC history (18) and the most knockouts in UFC title fights (7). He won the Fight of the Night award five times, the Knockout of the Night award seven times and the Submission of the Night award twice.

Israel Adesanya has given a good account of himself in the UFC, but his numbers pale in comparison to Anderson Silva's. And that will probably always be the case.

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#1 Israel Adesanya probably can't replicate Anderson Silva's success in the UFC middleweight division

UFC 208: Silva v Brunson

Perhaps the most telling record of Anderson Silva's UFC career was his 10 successful defenses of the middleweight title. A historic title reign like the Brazilian's probably can't be topped, even though Israel Adesanya's time at the top of the 185-lbs division seems set to continue for a while.

The Nigeria-born fighter has three defenses and several notable wins at middleweight, but in an era swayed by the prospect of champ-champ status, he might have an eye on bigger and better things. Adesanya has already moved up to light heavyweight once and has claimed that he will definitely be back at 205 lbs at some point in the future.

Even otherwise, competition in the UFC's middleweight division is fierce. With extraordinary fighters like Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa and Darren Till, Adesanya will have to be truly perfect to get anywhere close to Silva's title reign. And although he has done well against these very fighters in the past, anything can happen in the world of MMA.

Anderson Silva's iron grip over the UFC middleweight title during his prime may never be replicated, even by a fighter as skilled and decorated as Israel Adesanya.