Choose your MW legend: Saku, Frank or Rickson

[RiotWyatt]

Kazushi Sakuraba, Frank Shamrock and Rickson Gracie were the topic of a lot of debate back in the day. Unfortunately, none of them ever fought one of the others. These guys were the transitional guys in the late 90s(dark ages) that lead to modern MMA fighters like BJ, GSP and Fedor.

Rickson was already much older at the time but he looked phenomenal in the few fights he did publicly participate in. He’s rumored to be undefeated at 400-0.

Saku was the first man to beat a Gracie in a professional fight. He went on to beat three other Gracies and earned the nickname, The Gracie Hunter.

Frank was the first ever UFC LHW Champion. He defended his title four times, ending with a win against Tito Ortiz. Frank promptly retired undefeated in the UFC.

Who beats who? Who accomplished more? Who is more popular? Who influenced the landscape of MMA more?

 

[Alphafail]

Definitely Sakuraba.

 

[rockylion]

SAKU

 

[dembones22]

Frank Shamrock and Sakuraba were Juggernauts in terms of the progression of modern day MMA. Rickson Gracie was a undefeated can crusher. I would say Sakuraba is the more accomplished and Legendary. And Frank squandered some of his prime fight years holding out while the sport of MMA he helped to develop progressed without him.

 

[Gambit MMA]

I’d favor frank over saku

 

[scottjoebob]

 

[Matt Conley]

Sakuraba hands down. He embodied the fight anyone mentality

 

[noc]

R I C K S O N

 

[One MMA Fan]

Definitely Sakuraba.

 

[oldschoolmmafan]

The Gracie Hunter.

 

[SoSoSmart]

Saku, I remember the weigh ins for Melvin Manhoef and he walks out in a swimsuit because Manhoef said he would drown from the pressure. Manhoef viciously ko'd him but it was still funny as hell.

 

[A.S. Deep]

Kazushi Sakuraba, Frank Shamrock and Rickson Gracie were the topic of a lot of debate back in the day. Unfortunately, none of them ever fought one of the others. These guys were the transitional guys in the late 90s(dark ages) that lead to modern MMA fighters like BJ, GSP and Fedor.

Rickson was already much older at the time but he looked phenomenal in the few fights he did publicly participate in. He’s rumored to be undefeated at 400-0.

Saku was the first man to beat a Gracie in a professional fight. He went on to beat three other Gracies and earned the nickname, The Gracie Hunter.

Frank was the first ever UFC LHW Champion. He defended his title four times, ending with a win against Tito Ortiz. Frank promptly retired undefeated in the UFC.

Who beats who? Who accomplished more? Who is more popular? Who influenced the landscape of MMA more?

In terms of who'd win: Have to go with Frank.
In terms of who's the biggest MMA legend: SAKU!!!

 

[noc]

In terms of who'd win: Have to go with Frank.
In terms of who's the biggest MMA legend: SAKU!!!

lol in Japan Rickson is more respected, is like a Semi God in the martial arts world

 

[Psychojoe86]

Love Sakuraba. I’m glad his legendary aura still gets respect around here!

Btw is he possibly the most beloved mma fighter of all time? Haha

 

[artisabang]

How about Evan Tanner?

 

[the fight game]

First of all Kudos on a great thread. Second of all, all three are legends, but Frank Shamrock was the blueprint for the contemporary mixed martial artist, deserves far more credit than he gets, is the winner on your list and Dana White is an absolute f@$ktard for not having him in the UFC hall of fame.

 

[dog y]

Need a poll to vote for the only answer.
Frank was solid and a pioneer as well.

 

[RiotWyatt]

How about Evan Tanner?

Although Tanner started fighting shortly after these guys, he never really came to form until the 2000s. By that time, the three mentioned had already essentially retired or, in Saku’s case, fell sharply out of prime by constantly fighting LHWs and HWs.

I classify Tanner in a separate class of MWs from those 3. He’s with Bustamante, Lindland and Baroni among others.

 

[Sumomike]

Saku forever. That guy was amazing!

 

[MakeSherdogGreatAgain]

CM Punk takes them all...maybe even at the same time. I know he's never fought at mw, but if he did he'd be undefeated.