fr702 - I just have to ask, and I know this is going to come off as contentious, and maybe that can't be helped, so let me apologize in advance, but exactly what is it going to take to get Fedor off of the number one spot at HW?
Yes, the guy is the world's premiere SAMBO practitioner, and was he11 on wheels back in the day when it came to shoot-fighting in Japan against so-so competition, but in actual recent MMA bouts Fedor has been more of a showman than competitor, taking on guys like Brett Rogers KO victim Andrei Arlovski, and Ray Mercer KO victim Tim Sylvia?
I'm sorry, but the UFC has many former HW champions, including guys like Ricco Rodriguez and Maurice Smith. Beating one or two of this "illustrious" group isn't or shouldn't be grounds for ranking a SAMBO practitioner and shootfighter at number one in MMA.
In theory, Fedor could go thru guys like Don Frye and Kevin Randleman and still claim to be beating former UFC HW champions. Does he STILL gain a number one ranking at HW from you then? How long does Fedor get to coast as the so-called top HW in MMA while facing such spotty opposition?
I once heard Dan Severn speak at an engagement geared towards getting corporations to sponsor both wrestling and MMA. In the speech, he mentioned that he considers himself the "first" UFC HW champion.
Does this mean if he signs a fight with Fedor and loses, Fedor still stays at number one?
I know thats a bit of a stretch, but where does this Fedor insanity end, and some MMA reasonability begin? Suppose Fedor finishes out his career against UFC castoffs, men past their fighting prime, aging MW's like Matt Lindland who have been quoted as wanting Fedor in a rematch, and the occasional sideshow attraction like Zuluhino.
Will Fedor forever be the number one MMW HW? Is there some sort of time limit imposed on Fedor to actually fight an honest to God MMA bout, in a cage, with modern rules??
Maybe I'm lackwitted or obtuse, but it seems the reasoning for ranking Fedor as the number one MMA HW is either that everyone else is doing it, or that because he hasn't lost any shootfights in PRIDE or tomato can bouts in Affliction he should be considered not only relevent in modern-day MMA but the top of its food chain.
This to me seems nonsensical in the literal sense of the word.
Even if you don't subscribe to my belief that PRIDE was shoot-fighting and not true MMA, with their NHB striking, lopsided round system and pro wrestling ring platform, and therefore Fedor's record is one of suspect opponents held under rules that wouldn't fly anywhere in North America, Fedor hasn't fought a decent opponent in something like 49 months, has never stepped into the cage and fought under standardized modern MMA rules, and clearly has no inclination to do so in the near future.
Finally, let me say to everyone that I have mad respect for fr702 and his rankings. I think they tend to be a lot more on-point than many so-called "official" rankings.
I just don't understand how Fedor in light of so much evidence to the contrary remains ANYONE's top MMA HW, let alone the top HW of someone as knowledgable as fr702.
Again, apologies if this post comes off as confrontational or calling into question your MMA sensibilities. I can assure you that it most certainly is not. I'm honestly trying to understand the thought process that allows Fedor to be considered the best in the world at something he regards as a hobby, and not a top priority such as SAMBO.
I mean, is it just me, or at some point do we realize that Fedor is waving off the sport while simply running out the clock and cashing in on what was a once-respected career, and try to legitimately determine who is the top MMA HW in the world?
Isn't it time for us all to move on?
