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Its so commonplace to hear of a 2.0 version of a fighter thesedays. They hit 30, catch a few losses and reinvent themselves with a more effective technique for their range.
As fighters age and they cant rely on youth to plug holes in their game, the only thing they can really work on is often technique. Then we have versions of fighters that may or may not have comedy value. Sea level Cain, Chuck with that look in his eyes, Econoreem. Magic spells that seem to brush away losses and promise a string of neverending victories for a fighter who has found the last piece of the puzzle. For some sadly the last piece of the puzzle is drugs. Happily for others, cough michael bisping, the final piece of the puzzle is there absence in others.
Bottom line is theres a lot of different versions of fighters, but few really reinvent themselves.
Who are some notable examples?
A few obvious ones -
Robbie Lawler - found cardio and discovered he had been agitating his own cardio issues for years. Moved location and never looked back right up until Tyrone woodley span his head sideways last fight.
Anderson - Wasnt known as a great until well into his 30s.
Fedor - primarily a grappler, became more of a stand up fighter as he got a taste for the knock out sudden victory. Some would say to his own detriment.
Chael - forgetting the chemicals for a moment, was the definition of forgettable until he discovered his voice and talent for self promotion. Conor came gift wrapped like that. Chael really seemed to hit his stride mid career.
As fighters age and they cant rely on youth to plug holes in their game, the only thing they can really work on is often technique. Then we have versions of fighters that may or may not have comedy value. Sea level Cain, Chuck with that look in his eyes, Econoreem. Magic spells that seem to brush away losses and promise a string of neverending victories for a fighter who has found the last piece of the puzzle. For some sadly the last piece of the puzzle is drugs. Happily for others, cough michael bisping, the final piece of the puzzle is there absence in others.
Bottom line is theres a lot of different versions of fighters, but few really reinvent themselves.
Who are some notable examples?
A few obvious ones -
Robbie Lawler - found cardio and discovered he had been agitating his own cardio issues for years. Moved location and never looked back right up until Tyrone woodley span his head sideways last fight.
Anderson - Wasnt known as a great until well into his 30s.
Fedor - primarily a grappler, became more of a stand up fighter as he got a taste for the knock out sudden victory. Some would say to his own detriment.
Chael - forgetting the chemicals for a moment, was the definition of forgettable until he discovered his voice and talent for self promotion. Conor came gift wrapped like that. Chael really seemed to hit his stride mid career.