00s MMA Lil' Evil Vs Shaolin

[savemgs]

Jens Pulver Vs Vítor Ribeiro
These two men were some of the best 155 lb fighters on the planet in the early 2000s. Let's say instead of leaving the UFC to fight in other American promotions let's say Lil' Evil goes to Japan and fights Shaolin Vítor Ribeiro. lineal UFC champ vs The Shooto champ who do you think wins this bout?

I honestly think Jens takes this fight because of his defensive wrestling ability and his Superior boxing technique Jens had mad skill especially in his boxing at the time. But if Vitor can and get it down to the ground Jens is completely screwed. That being said Jens did show his ability to get back on his feet in his fight against BJ Penn who at the time was a Jiu-Jitsu specialist. So maybe I'm under estimating his ability in that department. Either way this is a fight that should have happened but never did. Who do you think comes out on top?

Age 24
9–0
1 KO 4 Subs
Team Nova União
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg)
Shooto World Lightweight Champion

Age 29
14-2-1 7KOs 1 Sub
Team Miletich Fighting Systems
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg)
Lineal UFC Lightweight Champion

 

[joeyjoejoe]

I like to think Jens would have been able to keep it standing long enough to tire out Ribeiro and get the KO, Little eagle soars again!

 

[Klaavical]

In those days Team Miletich dominated

 

[Rebel_LioN]

I was watching UFC at hooters when Pulver got pulverized by creepy joe lauzon.

I was like hmm that generic looking guy beat a former champ.

 

[JabToucher]

I was watching UFC at hooters when Pulver got pulverized by creepy joe lauzon.

I was like hmm that generic looking guy beat a former champ.

Sounds like a hoot of an evening

 

[EVIL WAR GOD]

Jens had a lot more experience at the time.

 

[AimedWithV]

Jens Pulver Vs Vítor Ribeiro
These two men were some of the best 155 lb fighters on the planet in the early 2000s. Let's say instead of leaving the UFC to fight in other American promotions let's say Lil' Evil goes to Japan and fights Shaolin Vítor Ribeiro. lineal UFC champ vs The Shooto champ who do you think wins this bout?

I honestly think Jens takes this fight because of his defensive wrestling ability and his Superior boxing technique Jens had mad skill especially in his boxing at the time. But if Vitor can and get it down to the ground Jens is completely screwed. That being said Jens did show his ability to get back on his feet in his fight against BJ Penn who at the time was a Jiu-Jitsu specialist. So maybe I'm under estimating his ability in that department. Either way this is a fight that should have happened but never did. Who do you think comes out on top?

Age 24
9–0
1 KO 4 Subs
Team Nova União
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg)
Shooto World Lightweight Champion

Age 29
14-2-1 7KOs 1 Sub
Team Miletich Fighting Systems
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg)
Lineal UFC Lightweight Champion

Style-wise - great matchup.
Shaolin definitely could take it, he was on a tear and showed very good wrestling. He was stronger than he seemed, too.
And Jens' defensive wrestling was good, but not that good. Penn , in their first fight, took him down at will.

I pick Shaolin in an upset.

 

[ArmenianAssasin]

Style-wise - great matchup.
Shaolin definitely could take it, he was on a tear and showed very good wrestling. He was stronger than he seemed, too.
And Jens' defensive wrestling was good, but not that good. Penn , in their first fight, took him down at will.

I pick Shaolin in an upset.

don't know how much of an upset it would -- remember when he beat kawajiri (who was a big deal at the time) he had a huge hype train as the next big thing

 

[AimedWithV]

don't know how much of an upset it would -- remember when he beat kawajiri (who was a big deal at the time) he had a huge hype train as the next big thing

When Shaolin beat Kawajiri, he wasn't top fighter, but a young upcoming prospect.
Shaolin's biggest wins in his initial streak were Hellboy and Ishida.
Kawajiri's big wins and rise to the top happened exactly after Ribeiro loss.

At the mentioned time Pulver was undisputed #1 lightweight. Shaolin was probably top 10.

 

[Deleted member 554551]

Ribeiro was very dangerous on the ground, if he could get Pulver down it'd have a serious chance but I couldn't definitively pick one or the other. Never actually thought about a potential bout between them.

 

[AimedWithV]

Ribeiro was very dangerous on the ground, if he could get Pulver down it'd have a serious chance but I couldn't definitively pick one or the other. Never actually thought about a potential bout between them.

I believe he could take him down, and unlike Penn, would've subbed him.
Ribeiro was much better BJJ player than Penn, who got lucky with his Mundials. Has wins over Leo Vieira and Pablo Popovich in BJJ...

 

[Typrune Goatley]

This fight could have went either way. If they fought 3 times, I would pick Shaolin 2/3 times

I could see Jens maybe defending a couple takedowns but I think Shaolin eventually gets him down and subs him.

Of course Pulver always has a chance with his boxing and KO power.

This would have been a very interesting style clash.

 

[tru3f4n]

this makes no sense Ludwig already beat Jens by the time Ribeiro became Shooto champion and the only reason Gomi wasn't in their was due to shitty judging that cost him the fight vs hellboy.

 

[savemgs]

this makes no sense Ludwig already beat Jens by the time Ribeiro became Shooto champion and the only reason Gomi wasn't in their was due to shitty judging that cost him the fight vs hellboy.

That's why its a What If...

 

[House Adams]

This fight could have went either way. If they fought 3 times, I would pick Shaolin 2/3 times

I could see Jens maybe defending a couple takedowns but I think Shaolin eventually gets him down and subs him.

Of course Pulver always has a chance with his boxing and KO power.

This would have been a very interesting style clash.

Interesting fight.... As you say, I’d lean toward a Shaolin sub/fairly competitive dec.

Jens could always keep it standing and avoid any ground work long enough to get a KO...

Would have been fun to see...

 

[House Adams]

That's why its a What If...

I like discussing the “what if” fights... Or close decision fights... As long as no acts like cunt over it.. it’s just for fun...

I always wanted to see Evan Tanner vs Jeremy Horn - Either at 205 or 185... Not a blockbuster fight.. but a high-level scrap between two skilled vets... that at certain points would have had title implications... and an all around potentially fun fight... Always thought Tanner would edge a close decision..

 

[savemgs]

I like discussing the “what if” fights... Or close decision fights... As long as no acts like cunt over it.. it’s just for fun...

I always wanted to see Evan Tanner vs Jeremy Horn - Either at 205 or 185... Not a blockbuster fight.. but a high-level scrap between two skilled vets... that at certain points would have had title implications... and an all around potentially fun fight... Always thought Tanner would edge a close decision..

Evan Tanner vs Jeremy Horn that would of been fun.

 

[AimedWithV]

I like discussing the “what if” fights... Or close decision fights... As long as no acts like cunt over it.. it’s just for fun...

I always wanted to see Evan Tanner vs Jeremy Horn - Either at 205 or 185... Not a blockbuster fight.. but a high-level scrap between two skilled vets... that at certain points would have had title implications... and an all around potentially fun fight... Always thought Tanner would edge a close decision..

Evan Tanner vs Jeremy Horn that would of been fun.

I think Tanner would've been better than Horn pretty much everywhere...could've even submitted him if Horn made a mistake on the ground.

I'd want to see Hughes vs Shields in around 2006, when Hughes passed the torch to GSP and Shields just won this big tourney, Rumble of the Rock.
Could Shields have done what GSP did?

 

[savemgs]

I think Tanner would've been better than Horn pretty much everywhere...could've even submitted him if Horn made a mistake on the ground.

I'd want to see Hughes vs Shields in around 2006, when Hughes passed the torch to GSP and Shields just won this big tourney, Rumble of the Rock.
Could Shields have done what GSP did?

"Could Shields have done what GSP did?" Hell no... Can Shields Tap out Matt? yes.

 

[savemgs]

Anymore?