Read on to find out.

The Top MMA Ground and Pound Heavyweight Fighters

When you think of ground and pound tactics, most conjure up visions of big guys clubbing away. But the interesting thing is that the heavyweight division is amongst the most difficult to formulate a list of the best ground and pound fighters for. Obviously, there are no exclusively ground and pound fighters these days as all MMA combatants must be skilled in a variety of fighting techniques. Along with this, there are actually very few heavyweight fighters who make most of their bread via ground – n – pound these days. Many, in fact, are more about submission fighting, etc., once they get someone on their back.

Still, let’s get it going. And remember: This is not a list of the best heavyweight fighters. Rather, it’s a list of the heavyweight fighters that best utilize ground and pound tactics to their advantage.

4. Mark Coleman

Mark Coleman was once the cream of the crop in the heavyweight division. Is he anymore? No. As is the case with all fighters, eventually either their age catches up to them or the game begins to pass them by (or both).

Still, Coleman is a worthy adversary as he demonstrated against Fedor Emelianenko the last time they tangled. Further, Coleman’s entire game is ground – n – pound. He lives or dies by it.

And besides, he coined the term ground and pound. Therefore, leaving him off of this list would be an MMA sin.

Of course, Mark Coleman will be taking on Brock Lesnar in his next fight. That bout will go a long way toward determining if one guy falls off of this best MMA ground and pound list. It may also go a long way toward determining if Brock Lesnar becomes a new addition to it.

3. Fedor Emelianenko

This was a tough call. Fedor has above average takedown skills. That said, is he as good at takedowns as let's say Mark Coleman?

No. In fact, during their last match up at PRIDE 32 this was proven. Yes, Fedor clearly won the fight. However, he did the majority of his damage while standing and/ or looking for submissions off his back against The Hammer.

However, if you saw those two fights against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira then you know the kind of pounding Fedor can unleash from above. He’s as powerful as they come. In fact, the assaults he’s capable of standing over someone are somewhat frightening, even if you do have him in the guard.

So in the end he makes it to number three on this list for excellent takedowns and the frightening assaults he is capable of unleashing from above when given the chance.

2. Roy "Big Country" Nelson

On February 29, 2008 Roy Nelson took Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Fabiano Scherner down. Two straight hard rights later and it was all over. The bottom line on the IFL Heavyweight Champion is this: He doesn't look like he's in shape. Although he's big, he doesn't really even look that powerful. But the fact of the matter is that Nelson possesses outstanding takedowns and size. What's more, once he gets on top of you and starts pounding away. . .

Well, let's just say that it's over. Don't believe us? Then ask Fabiano Scherner. Roy Nelson is one bad dude. Looks can be very deceiving, people!

1. Randy Couture

This one is easy. When it comes to ground and pound tactics, the first order of business is the takedown. The second: ground control. And when it comes to takedowns and ground control in the light heavyweight (where Couture fought for a short period of time) and heavyweight divisions, no one in MMA has ever really been better.

Said another way, with the exception of his second and third fights against Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture has never failed in taking opponents down and controlling them for a significant period of time. Sure, Josh Barnett eventually turned him over, as did Gabriel Gonzaga way back when.

But for a good portion of those fights, Randy Couture did what Randy Couture does.

Oh, and by the way, he’s not exactly bad at the pound part of the equation either.

So that does it for MMA’s top heavyweight ground and pound fighters. Look for another installment soon.

And remember: This list will be updated sometime in 2009.