Brazil has in many ways become the epicenter for MMA, with raucous crowds, an active regional scene and larger-than-life characters. As such, the country has produced some of the sport’s most memorable and successful mixed martial artists.

From Mauricio Rua and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in Pride Fighting Championships to Junior dos Santos, Vitor Belfort and Royce Gracie in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the largest county in South America has launched the careers of a number of all-time greats. The latest installment of the Sherdog Top 10 series examines and recounts their exploits.

Overall record, career accomplishments, championships won, key victories and overall impact on the sport were all taken into account.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS: Carlson Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Marco Ruas, Pedro Rizzo, Lyoto Machida, Renzo Gracie

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Number 10 » Junior dos Santos