I've been at S.O. for 5 years, and I haven't once seen a thread about MMA fighting, so I thought I'd start one. I'm a huge fan of the sport, and have been following it since the UFC started around 1993. Some of my early favorites were guys like Tank Abbott, Don Frye, and Ken Shamrock. As the sport started evolving a bit more, I became fans of guys like: Vitor Belfort, Rich Franklin, Ian Freeman, and Portland's own, Randy Couture, and Chuck Liddell. Currently, my favorite fighter is Randy Couture, who recently came out of his 11 month retirement, and signed a 5 fight deal with the UFC. His first fight is going to be in March or April, and it'll be against the UFC's heavyweight champion, the extremely cocky, and overrated Tim Sylvia. I'm hoping Couture will kick his ass, just like he did to both Tito Ortiz, and Chuck Liddell a couple years ago. I can't stand Tim Sylvia!!!

Anyway, for all you Pride, UFC, AND MMA fans in general out there, please discuss anything to do with this awesome sport. I'm actually more of a fan of MMA fighting then I am of boxing now, and HBO is even starting to pick up on the whole Ultimate Fighting thing, as they'll be having several UFC cards on their network starting this year. This sport has already blown up, and I feel that it is just going to get bigger and bigger. So anyway, who are your favorite and least favorite fighters?? What do you think of UFC's recent signings of former Pride stars like Mirko Cro Cop, and Quinten Rampage Jackson?? Which organization do you like better, and which do you think has the best talent?? Please discuss anything you want about the sport.

I have really grown to appreciate it ever since it came on Spike tv. My favorites include Matt Hughes and Randy Couture.

I wanted to start a UFC thread before the big Lidell vs Ortiz fight in December but like yourself I did not see any other UFC threads so I did not bother. I am a huge George "Rush" St.Pierre and Chuck "Iceman: Lidell fan. I don't have a least favorite fighter beacaus I respect all fighters that have the courage to step into the octagon. I always watch the fights with my friends at the sports bars every time there is a Pay Per View event. I am always surprised at how many people follow the sport and turn out to watch.

I actually was interested in learning Brazilian Ju Jitsu a few years ago but I suffered an injury playing basketball. I have not had the time nor passion to pursue it since. But I do believe MMA fighters are one of the most of not the most conditioned athletes in all of sports.

Little Mel, I am not a big Pride fighting fan but from what I hear UFC fighters are no match for the Pride Fighters ie. Chuck Lidell would not stand a chance against Cro Cop or Vanderlei Silva, do you agree?

I wanted to start a UFC thread before the big Lidell vs Ortiz fight in December but like yourself I did not see any other UFC threads so I did not bother. I am a huge George "Rush" St.Pierre and Chuck "Iceman: Lidell fan. I don't have a least favorite fighter beacaus I respect all fighters that have the courage to step into the octagon. I always watch the fights with my friends at the sports bars every time there is a Pay Per View event. I am always surprised at how many people follow the sport and turn out to watch.

I actually was interested in learning Brazilian Ju Jitsu a few years ago but I suffered an injury playing basketball. I have not had the time nor passion to pursue it since. But I do believe MMA fighters are one of the most of not the most conditioned athletes in all of sports.

Little Mel, I am not a big Pride fighting fan but from what I hear UFC fighters are no match for the Pride Fighters ie. Chuck Lidell would not stand a chance against Cro Cop or Vanderlei Silva, do you agree?

Actually, from what I've seen, Cro Cop and Liddell are very similar in alot of ways, and I think they match up pretty evenly against each other. They both have a devastating stand up game, and they both are really good on the ground as well. Liddell is awesome at defending the takedown, and when he is taken down, it usually doesn't take him too long to get back up. Cro Cop definitely has the edge on Liddell in submissions, as I've seen him take down, and submit many fighters, whereas Liddell is phenomenal at grounding and pounding once he gets an opponent down. One advantage Cro Cop does have, is that he's very poised, and always fights very cautiously, and carefully, whereas Liddell has been known to be sloppy, and not quite as technically sound. Both have shown great vulnerabilities though, losing to two similar fighters who they probably should have beaten. Cro Cop who got knocked out by the veteran, Kevin Randleman, and Liddell, who got knocked out to former Pride fighter, and new UFC fighter, Quinten Rampage Jackson. Both Chuck and Mirko should have won those fights, but these two fights just proved that neither guy is unbeatable. If I were to give an advantage to one of these fighters, I might go with Cro Cop, just because he seems more poised when he fights, but one thing I can almost guarantee, this would be one hell of a good fight, and since Mirko is now a UFC fighter, we might get a chance to finally see it, and see who the best truly is.

The whole thing about which organization is better, I think the reason so many people pick Pride as having the tougher competition, is because they have more of a worldwide flare, whereas the UFC has been known mostly for having American, and Canadian fighters. If you look at the fighters from Pride, they literally come from every Nation, and every part of the globe, so obviously anytime you have a larger pool of fighters to choose from, you're going to have more talent. The UFC has been expanding alot lately though, and has been getting many more fighters from around the world, so I honestly see things evening up quite a bit over the next few years or so. Hell, in the last 6 months, they've already added more of a worldwide flare by taking Cro Cop, and Anderson Silva from Pride, and I see alot more of that happening in the future.

I don't agree with the people who say Wanderlai Silva would dominate a guy like Liddell, considering the fact that guys like Vitor Belfort, and Tito Ortiz have beaten Silva. Tito beat Vanderlai, yet Liddell knocked Tito out twice, so I really don't understand the logic of those who say Liddell wouldn't be able to beat him. A fighter as great as Silva, can beat anybody at anytime, but in a fight with Chuck, I think Chuck would win. I'd definitely love to see that fight.

That's cool how you became so interested in mixed martial arts!! I'm sorry to hear about your basketball injury, that sucks!! :( I actually live five minutes by walking, from where Randy Couture's team Quest trains, and so I've been seriously considering getting involved with it myself. I walk by the training camp nearly everyday, and often see them training in their, but just haven't had the courage to walk in, and see what's up. I'm not getting any younger, so if it's something I do decide to get try, I better do it soon!!

Btw, I'm also a big fan of George St. Pierre. He's an amazing fighter. The way he dominated a legend like Matt Hughes in their last fight, amazed me, and I really think he can end up being one of the top fighters of all time. Anyway, thanks for responding to this thread!! It's nice to see that there are atleast two other fans of this sport here. :cool:

Here's a picture of the best fighter out there today, and a guy who has been called by many, the best fighter of all time. Pride's, Fedor Emelianenko. He may not exactly look the part, but he has a 25-1 record, and his one loss was from a cut. I honestly haven't seen a single weakness in this guys game, in the 10 or so fights of his, I've had the pleasure of seeing. This dude is unstoppable, and I don't see anyone in the current fighting game who can beat him. He's even fought Cro Cop two or three times, and beat him everytime.

Actually, from what I've seen, Cro Cop and Liddell are very similar in alot of ways, and I think they match up pretty evenly against each other. They both have a devastating stand up game, and they both are really good on the ground as well. Liddell is awesome at defending the takedown, and when he is taken down, it usually doesn't take him too long to get back up. Cro Cop definitely has the edge on Liddell in submissions, as I've seen him take down, and submit many fighters, whereas Liddell is phenomenal at grounding and pounding once he gets an opponent down. One advantage Cro Cop does have, is that he's very poised, and always fights very cautiously, and carefully, whereas Liddell has been known to be sloppy, and not quite as technically sound. Both have shown great vulnerabilities though, losing to two similar fighters who they probably should have beaten. Cro Cop who got knocked out by the veteran, Kevin Randleman, and Liddell, who got knocked out to former Pride fighter, and new UFC fighter, Quinten Rampage Jackson. Both Chuck and Mirko should have won those fights, but these two fights just proved that neither guy is unbeatable. If I were to give an advantage to one of these fighters, I might go with Cro Cop, just because he seems more poised when he fights, but one thing I can almost guarantee, this would be one hell of a good fight, and since Mirko is now a UFC fighter, we might get a chance to finally see it, and see who the best truly is.

The whole thing about which organization is better, I think the reason so many people pick Pride as having the tougher competition, is because they have more of a worldwide flare, whereas the UFC has been known mostly for having American, and Canadian fighters. If you look at the fighters from Pride, they literally come from every Nation, and every part of the globe, so obviously anytime you have a larger pool of fighters to choose from, you're going to have more talent. The UFC has been expanding alot lately though, and has been getting many more fighters from around the world, so I honestly see things evening up quite a bit over the next few years or so. Hell, in the last 6 months, they've already added more of a worldwide flare by taking Cro Cop, and Anderson Silva from Pride, and I see alot more of that happening in the future.

I don't agree with the people who say Wanderlai Silva would dominate a guy like Liddell, considering the fact that guys like Vitor Belfort, and Tito Ortiz have beaten Silva. Tito beat Vanderlai, yet Liddell knocked Tito out twice, so I really don't understand the logic of those who say Liddell wouldn't be able to beat him. A fighter as great as Silva, can beat anybody at anytime, but in a fight with Chuck, I think Chuck would win. I'd definitely love to see that fight.

That's cool how you became so interested in mixed martial arts!! I'm sorry to hear about your basketball injury, that sucks!! :( I actually live five minutes by walking, from where Randy Couture's team Quest trains, and so I've been seriously considering getting involved with it myself. I walk by the training camp nearly everyday, and often see them training in their, but just haven't had the courage to walk in, and see what's up. I'm not getting any younger, so if it's something I do decide to get try, I better do it soon!!

Btw, I'm also a big fan of George St. Pierre. He's an amazing fighter. The way he dominated a legend like Matt Hughes in their last fight, amazed me, and I really think he can end up being one of the top fighters of all time. Anyway, thanks for responding to this thread!! It's nice to see that there are atleast two other fans of this sport here. :cool:

Here's a picture of the best fighter out there today, and a guy who has been called by many, the best fighter of all time. Pride's, Fedor Emelianenko. He may not exactly look the part, but he has a 25-1 record, and his one loss was from a cut. I honestly haven't seen a single weakness in this guys game, in the 10 or so fights of his, I've had the pleasure of seeing. This dude is unstoppable, and I don't see anyone in the current fighting game who can beat him. He's even fought Cro Cop two or three times, and beat him everytime.

Little Mel, You make some very good points about why people seem to think Pride fighters would dominate the UFC fighters. It's true and Wandy Silva, I remember him losing to Vitor Belfort in the UFC. I still think the Iceman can hold his own against both Cro Cop and Wandy. It will be very interesting and exciting to see how well Cro Cop does now that the UFC has signed him. Anderson Silva sure has made a splash in the UFC totally dominating Rich "Ace" Franklin. I actually picked him to win that fight, after watching him totally destroy Chris Lebon.

GSP is a sick fighter, I was not sure how well he would do against Matt Hughes in their rematch considering BJ Penn almost beat GSP when they fought, and Hughes was able to get a fight stoppage against Penn. I was totally surprised at his 2nd round ko of Hughes. I was at the sports bar that night, everybody watching went bananas when the fight was stopped. I think both fighters should have a rubber match to settle who is the better fighter. One fighter I will be keeping my eyes on that will give GSP arun for his money down the road is Diago Sanchez, do not sleep on him. This is the rivalry of the future.

I haven't seen a fight of Fedor Emelianenko, but now that you mention him I will look out for this guy. As for you walking in the gym where Couture trains, I would be scared myself. These guys demand a certain respect and take their fighting seriously. Think about it, that would be a nice experience for you to get to train with such elite athletes. There is a Brazilian Ju Jitsu training facility about 40 mins away from where I live. If anything, I wanted to get into the sport for self dicipline and conditioning. I would have to make a serious commitment if I wanted to train there. But at this point in my life, I don't see it happening. I guess I will just be a arm chair fan.

I agree it is good to know there is another MMA fan to converse with. I will make sure to get your opinion on the next big card. Don't forget to there will be a live event on Spike TV January 25 Rashad Evans takes on Sean Salmon and Spencer Fisher battles with Hermes Franca. Take it easy! :)