who is the best mixed martial arts fighter in the world?

[screwloose]

there are many ranking systems to gauge who the greatest fighters are, but they are all biased towards something; weight, style, organization, etc. who do you guys think is the greatest fighter in the world right now?

[lCS 39]

I agree, A lot of rankings are biased or for one reason or the other it's very unagreeable to a certain number of fans. If you ask me, I believe they actually need a LEGIT party or commission (i.e. International Shooto Commission) to establish A world wide ranking and all promotions must agree to it and have the same rules, it just won't happen though with certain promotions doing one thing and others doing another you know.

IMO as far as heavyweights I would nominate Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, He was the Rings King of Kings Champion, and have beat all Top contenders put forth before him and became the current PRIDE heavyweight champion, I would of really liked to see him face Semmy Schiltz since he's the current King of Pancrase, then ultimately face the UFC champ, but who am I kidding UFC vs Pride for all the marbles is pretty much all a pipe dream.

pound for pound the best fighter in my eyes (and i'm biased ) is Kazushi Sakuraba, his sheer accomplishments and his dismantaling of the Gracie Dynasty as well as 75+ years of BJJ is a feat that can't go unnoticed.

[screwloose]

i have to agree with you on sakuraba, but i'm biased too. i can't stand the gracies after royce wouldn't go one more with ken shamrock to settle it for good. royce being destroyed by kazushi at the pride gp was awesome. having used styles similar to gracie's and sakuraba's, i can honestly say it's really no surprise. and who knows, mma isn't pro wrestling so there isn't anywhere near as much political nonsense. maybe we'll see an international mma commission sooner than later.

[lCS 39]

yeah i dunno many fans will argue about Sakuraba being the best pound for pound fighter and they'll throw other names in like Frank Shamrock but if you ask me Frank retired to early to be considered pound for pound best and at the time he actually made his mark in MMA the sport was still currently evolving, there's no doubt in my mind Frank Shamrock modernized it with his style of fighting and is a great physical speciman of a fighting athlete should be, but in my opinion Sakuraba put the exclamation point in the evolution of mixed martial arts, sort of a changing of the guard between the new school and old school styles of fighting, also forcing many of the guys who were pro BJJ to change up there game plan a lot and further evolving MMA to what it is now.

[screwloose]

amen brother, amen.

[Rubio MHS]

"Royce being destroyed by kazushi at the pride gp was awesome."

Actually, Sakuraba tapped in that match, but the referee didn't see it.

[kkeller]

Shamrock and Sakuraba are two good choices and should be considered for the best MMA fighter no doubt but I love to see Takayama walk down to the ring and put his heart into a match even though everyone knows he's going to take a beating. Magnificent!

[lCS 39]

Originally posted by Rubio MHS

Actually, Sakuraba tapped in that match, but the referee didn't see it.

oh ***, this has been debated countless of times by MMA fans, it always ended up with the majority of people saying Sakuraba was screwing around it's the Gracie jockriders that always tend to defend Royce and always seems to bring that part of the fight specifically to defend there hero, he tapped twice...ok, pride rules state you need to tap 3 times, watch the english version of the grand prix, Maurice Smith even points out Sakuraba was FAKING tap. did Sakuraba look in danger while in the guillotine? NO, he nonchalantly was screwing around when he was doing that, have you seen anyone in a tight choke tap like that? NO they tap like crazy cause they are in danger, and for the record, Sakuraba has pointed out he did that to let Royce no he was alright because Royce kneed him below the belt. this subject can be debated until the end of time if you ask me, the fact is Sakuraba won and Royce loss, and through out that fight, Sakuraba methodically tore Royce a new one.

[Rubio MHS]

"NO, he nonchalantly was screwing around when he was doing that, have you seen anyone in a tight choke tap like that?"

Yes, I have. Dan Severn to Royce Gracie, UFC V.

[lCS 39]

Dan Severn is a Joke, you're talking about a guy who tried and got caught trying to work a fight. lol

go watch Royce vs Sakuraba again, if the choke was in so tight, Sakuraba wouldn't of been playing with Royce's pants, he wouldn't be pointing to Royce's jock strap and making the fans laugh etc.

[Rubio MHS]

Severn was impressive in the ring. I'd like to see a younger Severn in today's MMA rules. He'd be more suited to them.

[screwloose]

i agree that severn is a good fighter, but i have to also agree that he is a joke in the same breath as he lacks good finishing techniques.

ps: he'd be tappin like a drum major to sakuraba.

[Dr Feelgood]

I mean we're talking about a guy who set up his own fighting system here! Did Sak create Sak-Do(nald's)? No, he didn't. He had to go and learn everything he knows from Takada! Did Royce Gracie create Gracie Jiu-jitsu? No, he just lived off his family heritage whilst Joe Son had to work hard to get where he got.
And by the way, if Sak didn't hit the third tap it's because he'd already passed out!

Pound for pound, I'm hesitating between Tank Abbott and Helio Gracie for best fighter.

[screwloose]

tank abbott? that's a joke, right? he might have a killer right hand *but that's about it*.

[kkeller]

I wouldn't say Tank is only a right hand. He fought more times than anyone has and he went against some top guys. He never ducked a figher like some in UFC did. Win or lose his was the most exciting fight on the card. He was the most over fighter with the live crowd. Next time you're in a DVD store check out "UFC Hits vol. 1&2" and see how many of his matches are on them.