A perfect start: How good is 5-0 in the UFC?
by Giada Esposito on March 01, 2010
impressing fans since his first Octagon appearance. In his last three fights, Velasquez has defeated Cheik Kongo, Ben Rothwell, and, most impressively, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by way of a brutal first-round knockout at UFC 110. Velasquez's latest win put him in position for a possible heavyweight title shot later this year.

Rashad Evans, 5-0. Evans won the heavyweight division on season 2 of "The Ultimate Fighter" before dropping to compete at his more natural light-heavyweight size. Although Evans' five-fight win streak would end when he fought Tito Ortiz to a draw at UFC 73, he would go on to win the light-heavyweight belt just three fights later with a TKO of Forrest Griffin at UFC 92.

Chris Leben, 5-0. "The Crippler" followed up his stint as one of the more colorful fighters on season 1 of "The Ultimate Fighter" with a five-fight unbeaten streak to start his UFC career. Leben's most notable win came by way of split decision over heavy-handed Canadian Patrick Cote, but his reputation for being impossible to stop in the cage came to an end when Anderson Silva smashed him into unconsciousness less than a minute into their bout at Ultimate Fight Night 5.

Mike Swick, 5-0. Another competitor on season 1 of "The Ultimate Fighter", Swick competed on the show as a light-heavyweight before eventually dropping to middleweight and then welterweight in the UFC. Swick's early wins including victories over Joe Riggs and David Loiseau, and began with a 20-second knockout of Alex Schoenauer which earned him the nickname "Quick". Yushin Okami stopped Swick's streak at UFC 69, a loss that convinced Swick to drop to welterweight.

Demian Maia, 5-0. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Maia began his UFC career with five straight submission victories, winning submission of the night honors an amazing four times during that stretch.  His first-round triangle choke of Chael Sonnen at UFC 95 was widely regarded as one of the best submissions of 2009, but Maia's run came to an end when he was knocked out early in the first round against Nate Marquardt at UFC 102. Maia came back with a victory over Dan Miller at UFC 109, and will have a chance to snap Anderson Silva's record UFC winning streak when the two square off for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 112.

George Sotiropoulos, 5-0. Sotiropoulos became the newest member of the "5-0 Club" with an impressive win over Joe Stevenson at UFC 110. The Aussie started his UFC career after competing as a welterweight on season 6 of "The Ultimate Fighter", but dropped to lightweight after winning his first two matches after the show, and being sidelined for a time with an injury. Sotiropoulos has already made a big impact as a lightweight, racking up three straight wins in the division and prompting UFC president Dana White to say that he could be in the mix for a title shot sometime within the year.

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 |  (18) Comments JujitsWho: Great article Giada. It seems that George is in some very good company with his great start in the UFC. Hopefully that roll continues into the future as he starts to face some of the tougher competition that the UFC has to offer up Mtx: I have to be honest, although I like George, I didn't thought he would have a win over Joe. Although lots of people now take the importance of that fight, before it happened they where saying George had no chance against him. I'm glad I saw him handle what it seemed like a bigger, stronger wrestler and come up with that win. Whoever he fights next is definitely going to be his biggest test probably, can't wait for it. Nice work. EverlastingSpringtime: Great read, its incredible to see him in the same list as some of these fighters. He has worked hard to get where he is and is looking better with each fight. It would be awesome if he can pass the next test the UFC throw up to him. GO HARD: i think he will... i had him beating joe daddy but i never expected him to do as well as he did. i would love to see him fight clay or maynard... q; ) t0xyg3n: 5-0 DAMN well if Brock is the rule he should have gotten a title shot after 1 win. Patrick Sullivan: T0xy, I gotta disagree with you on point B. I remember feeling queasy watching that fight; some of those body shots sounded like hitting a side of beef with a baseball bat. I was actually relieved when the fight was over and amazed at both the beating Lesnar issued and the beating Herring weathered. D_V: somebody do me a favor and name his first four wins without a fight finder. that's what i thought. can't.
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
Alves def. Kampmann via submission
Alves def. Kampmann via decision
Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
Kampmann def. Alves via submission
Kampmann def. Alves via decision
TAKE ANOTHER POLL!