Best LHW during 2001-2006 (AKA-Pride vs UFC era)

[DimmuSakuraba]

This was an awesome time in MMA, not exactly what I'd call the Golden Age (which IMO, is 1996 and prior). UFC fans were telling about how UFC fighters were better, Pride fans were telling about Pride fighters were better, and other fans just sat back and watched. Either way, we all had fun and it will probably never be repeated

The 4 argruably best LHWs from 2001-2006 were Wanderlei Silva, Quinton Jackson, Randy Couture, and Chuck Liddell.

Which one did you think was the best during this time period?

 

[GrindingANARCHY]

Wanderlei Silva

17-3-0-1 from 2001 to the end of 2006

He beat the P4P #1 fighter Sakuraba, Won the GP in 03, and was PRIDE MW Champ for nearly 5 years.

Wins over Quinton Jackson 2x Kazushi Sakuraba 3x Ricardo Arona Yuki Kondo Hidehiko Yoshida 2x Mirko Filipović :wink:

1. Wanderlei
2. Chuck
3. Rampage
4. Randy


Rampage went 19-5 between 01-06
Wins over - Igor Vovchanchyn Kevin Randleman Murilo Bustamante Ricardo Arona Chuck Liddell

Liddell went 14-2 between 01-06
Wins over Randy Couture 2x Tito Ortiz 2x Vitor Belfort Kevin Randleman Guy Mezger Renato Sobral 2x Alistair Overeem Murilo Bustamante

Couture went 7-6 overall and 4-3 at LHW between 01-06
Wins over Chuck Liddell Tito Ortiz Vitor Belfort

 

[Steveo843]

Shogun

 

[That Idiot Tibor**]

Wanderlei but Randy would have been a tough match up.

 

[76Knockout]

1a Chuck
1b Wand

 

[PHATV]

LHW Wand.

 

[Goodfella86]

Silva. This is a tough one.

 

[Wand4Life]

Obviously I'm biased, but they are all pretty close (although I very very easily place Randy at the bottom of those 4).

The X Factor for me goes for Wand due to stepping up in GP's, weight-classes, the better division at the time...etc.
None of the other 3 even come remotely close to any of that X factor stuff compared to Wand.

 

[Kinger85]

Wanderlei for sure.

 

[Gyro]

How is shogun not on there?

 

[FeloniousMonk]

I'd like to believe that a fight between Wand & Couture
in PRIDE, where both fighters would be free to juice,
would likely go to a close contested decision-or draw.

Can't call it, honestly.

 

[Wefee]

 

[DimmuSakuraba]

How is shogun not on there?

Shogun while awesome, was kinda at the end of the era and early next era.

 

[MitMcl]

How can you not vote Silva?

 

[clumseygenius]

Banderley

 

[Gyro]

Shogun while awesome, was kinda at the end of the era and early next era.

Who was best from 01-06 at lhw ? Thats your question. Shogun was considered by many to be number 1 for awhile and was on an incredible run, which includes a win over rampage.

 

[Jin Akutsu]

Being a Saku fan, much respect to The Axe Murderer. Gets my vote.

 

[Gatts]

Silva.
And Shogun should get a mention

 

[peterparker66]

wand and it's not even up for debate IMO.
but to each their own

 

[GrindingANARCHY]

Who was best from 01-06 at lhw ? Thats your question. Shogun was considered by many to be number 1 for awhile and was on an incredible run, which includes a win over rampage.

Shogun debut in 02 and didn't become a star until 05. The 4 mentioned were the top dogs through out the time frame given. Shogun emerged at the end, not the beginning to the end. If that makes sense.