Who would you guys say are among the people who have the best guard and guard work in MMA or Submission Grappling, but who do not come from a BJJ background? What I mean by not coming from a BJJ back is 1) They do not list BJJ as their discipline/fight style, and 2) They have not trained extensively under a BJJ instuctor (by extensively I mean CONFIRMATION of at least 3-4 years or up to a Purple Belt of instruction).
The persons who come to mind for myself are first and foremost Carlos Newton, then Fedor and Frank Shamrock. If anyone disagrees with me, please tell me why.
And if anyone else can add to this list, please do so and if you could state why briefly (e.g. give an example from fights or matches that would prove this).