Ground and Pound - Fightnews

English fighters are by far the most successful fighters in Europe according to January’s European Top Ten update. Led by a record setting two first, two second and four third places, 18 English fighters were able to collect a whopping 128 points and prove that they are in a league of their own when it comes to the European fight scene.

In what comes as a surprise to many but the Polish experts themselves, Poland managed to capture the second place with 43 points by six fighters. Poland's international success in 2010 was highlighted by breakthrough performances from fighters like WEC and now UFC fighter Maciej Jewtuszko and Bellator fighter Damian Grabowski.

Longtime European MMA powerhouse Russia finished third with 38 points by five fighters and still struggles to fill the huge gap that inactive former greats like Amar Suloev, Arman Gambaryan, Roman Zentsov, Andrei Semenov or Ansar Chalangov have created. Spawned by the meteoric rise of highly ranked featherweight Tom Niinimäki in 2010, Finland cemented its spot as the premier Scandinavian country. Five Finnish fighters scored a total of 33 points.

Germany placed fifth and proved that there is more to German MMA than poster boy and superstar Dennis Siver. Six fighters, five of them new additions to the ETT in 2010, racked up 30 points. Sweden and France, who each scored 28 points with five respectively four fighters, placed sixth and seventh and round off the close main field that includes Finland and Germany.

With a ten point deficit, Spain, Lithuania and Bulgaria finish off the county ranking’s European Top Ten. Spain placed eight with 18 points by three fighters, while Lithuania and Bulgaria drew for the ninth place with 18 points scored by only two fighters.