Croatian HW genetics

[Boomb]

Lots of A level athletes come from Croatia, that's for sure.:

 

[robotsonic]

It's true for Eastern Europeans in MMA. Besides Cro-Cop, Brancko, and the others you mentioned, you have guys like Igor, both Emelianenko brothers, and so on. IMO, they just grow up tougher there. No room for being a pantywaist.

Only one of the male UFC champions is of Eastern European origin and he didn't grow up 'there', culturally he is an American. There's more evidence in Garbrandt that growing up as a California bro helps you more in MMA than growing up in Eastern Europe does.

Also LOL at this idea that Eastern Europe is 'war torn', that view is outdated as shit. Please tell me which parts of Eastern Europe are war torn these days? Ukraine, maybe? Anywhere else?

 

[Venom]

Sweden has nearly three times the population of Croatia, and they have never produced a champion in any major mma promotion, so no.

You're missing the point by a mile and a half.

Forget about mma for a sec. You're basing "Croatian success" with two, three fighters

It sounds like the typical Sherdog 'jumping to conclusions after recent events' stuff..

 

[Venom]

Only one of the male UFC champions is of Eastern European origin and he didn't grow up 'there', culturally he is an American. There's more evidence in Garbrandt that growing up as a California bro helps you more in MMA than growing up in Eastern Europe does.

Also LOL at this idea that Eastern Europe is 'war torn', that view is outdated as shit. Please tell me which parts of Eastern Europe are war torn these days? Ukraine, maybe? Anywhere else?

Mhmm,....It's a relic of the view of the Soviet States back in the day. Although some of the older fighters like Fedor and Mirko may have truly experienced the harshness of their time.

Younger fighters shouldn't be subjected to that Slavic stereotype. To me it sounds like American pandering to what they wish they could be like...

 

[phunky]

Cause we are masterrace

 

[Koro_11]

You're missing the point by a mile and a half.

Forget about mma for a sec. You're basing "Croatian success" with two, three fighters

It sounds like the typical Sherdog 'jumping to conclusions after recent events' stuff..

No, I'm also basing it on the fact that they're very competitive in just about every major sport, and no country that size comes close.

Name a country of comparable size, and start listing their top athletes or team rankings, I'll wait...

 

[azerty]

crotia is good at sports, but miocic and milletich aren't crotians, if you count every person of croatian descent then it kind of nullify the point you made about being good relatively to their populaton size

 

[Dindu Nuffins]

first of all croatia is not in eastern europe, gg americans

secondly they produce so many good athletes cause they are really big and also sports are very popular there, croatians don't live their entire lives sitting on a chair

china has what. 1000 times more people than croatia? yet their total number of huge dudes might not be that much higher

 

[robotsonic]

No, I'm also basing it on the fact that they're very competitive in just about every major sport, and no country that size comes close.

Name a country of comparable size, and start listing their top athletes or team rankings, I'll wait...

New Zealand for one...also Ireland in MMA have as many champions as Croatia if you even count Stipe as 'Croatian'. He grew up completely in the US.

also while we're here...

http://www.greatestsportingnation.com/per-capita-cup-2016/results

 

[Bokelj]

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

 

[Hoop]

But the truth is, fighting more so than anything is skillset, mindset and the environment you grow up in. CroCop growing up in war torn Croatia likely played a part in his mindset

I find that whole 'he came up in a war torn/tough neighbourhood' thing a bit over played. I agree that it can mould a person's mindset a certain way which is good for combat sports. But like you said; it's all about the culture of whatever combat sport is the most popular in any given country.

Bektic and his parents fled the war from Bosnia and settled in the States. He obviously did wrestling in school - which I don't think is that big in Bosnia - but he must have had a knack for it. I think all that 'he grew up in <insert place here> is just a cheesy line to hype up a fighter's background.

 

[Boomb]

In the Balkans, only the strong survive

I'm from the Balkans and I can confirm this.

 

[Koro_11]

crotia is good at sports, but miocic and milletich aren't crotians, if you count every person of croatian descent then it kind of nullify the point you made about being good relatively to their populaton size

I'm talking about genetics, and they both most certainly have Croatian genes despite where they lived.

And yeah a country with a tiny population will also have a pretty small immigrant population as well.

 

[yujiro]

War Cikatic vs Ernesto Hoost

 

[robotsonic]

As a memeber of BOPE in rio de Janeiro, I guarantee you Paulo Thiago saw more shit in his average month than most of these guys in eastern europe have seen in their life. Didn't make him some invincible fighter, did it?

 

[Oachkazl]

I'm from the Balkans and I can confirm this.

Eastern aggressiveness combined with western work ethic. Thats why the more southern guys don't get anywhere in sports. It requires disciplin, organisation and focus.

 

[Givvee]

You find a lot of big men in the old eastern european/former soviet countries. Different kind of white people.

 

[Koro_11]

As a memeber of BOPE in rio de Janeiro, I guarantee you Paulo Thiago saw more shit in his average month than most of these guys in eastern europe have seen in their life. Didn't make him some invincible fighter, did it?

I think you underestimate the brutality, massacres and ethnic cleansing of that war.

Also Brazilians have proven to be very tough, so your example is horrible.

 

[robotsonic]

I think you underestimate the brutality, massacres and ethnic cleansing of that war.

Also Brazilians have proven to be very tough, so your example is horrible.

Demian Maia would destroy Thiago in a fight. One of them is a fairly privileged journalism and martial arts student from Sao Paulo, the other one is a paramilitary policeman who deals with some of the craziest urban gang violence in the world on a daily basis. See if you can work out the difference there.

 

[bad mojo]

Balkan is truly an unique place, where the extremes collide. When we're good at something, we're better than anyone else. Same thing with being worse than anyone else. If you combine Croatian and Serbian sport achievements, you realize that people here are insanely gifted, especially in team sports.