Fighters you have changed your opinion about

[Grimace]

Was thinking about this the other day. The fighter who changed my opinion the most is Carlos Condit.

I always thought Condit was vastly overrated. I thought he was an above average grappler with average to above average kickboxing, who feasted on lower caliber fighters. And even after he entered the UFC and started winning fights, I kept overlooking his abilities by finding negative aspects to his victories:

sure, he beat Ellenberger, but he almost got finished in the first!

sure, he beat Rory, but he was getting dominated for 90% of the fight! Plus, it was an early stoppage!

sure, he knocked out Dan Hardy, but it could have gone either way! had Condit held back for just a split second, Hardy could have knocked Condit out!

sure, he knocked out DHK, but that was a fluke KO. Who wins by flying knee?

sure, he beat Diaz, but he did so on points! he didn't knock him out!

But out of nowhere, I had the realization how stupid my assessment was regarding Condit's ability. Condit was beating everyone put in front of him - and not only beating, he was finishing just about all of them. I still don't believe Condit is particularly great at any aspect of fighting, but he is definitely above average at putting everything together. I now believe he is one HELL of a fighter, and I no longer degrade his accomplishments.

[otro]

I use to like Maia a lot, then he went on a K1 run that made me hate the guy, and now that he's back I'm just confused about it

(still love to watch him grapplefuck elite fighters but it's just not the same after that fail run he had).

[ChillyPalmer]

I've soured on Rampage. Would still cheer for him over most of his opponents.

Just not as big a fan as I used to be.

[Fruits]

Originally Posted by Russie

Rampage. I was fan when he was in Pride and when he first entered the UFC. Soon relaized he was a real ass didn't give a damn about him anymore. I will be happy to see him leave the UFC.

This. In Pride he was one of my favorite fighters. My uncle knew him from working at a gym in SoCal, so me liking him on top of that made me root hard for him. When he won that UFC belt we were super excited.

Now that I realize he's a fake money/women first jerk, I stopped caring about him.

Another one of mine was Fedor. I used to love Big Nog's style of fighting, and when the two of them met, I thought Fedor got his then undefeated record (minus the loss that should have been a No Contest) was won by beating mostly cans, and that he was a bum (based on his appearance).

Boy was I young and stupid! After that fight he became one of my favorite fighters in Pride, and Fedor remains as one of my favorite fighters forever!

[screaminleeman]

Cain Velasquez.

I always enjoyed watching Cain, but it took a long time for me to truly give him the credit that he deserves.

He came to the UFC as a HW prospect around the same time as Carwain. I seriously saw Shane as WAY higher potential at HW in the UFC then Cain. (OOOppps!)

I though that Brock was way too big and a better wrestler and their fight was stupid, non-competitive, and an walkover for Brock. (Damn I was wrong!)

I will at least give myself a pat on that back, as I had Cain > JDS in both fights (Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then!)