Fighters you feel are grossly disrespected, regardless of their skillset/accomplishments

[MMA fan93]

Wanted to make a thread for some of the more underappreciated (or in many cases, unjustly disrespected and criticized) fighters, who have great skillset and accolades but for one reason or another, are not given their dues on these forums.

To start with, Chael Sonnen (at MW). Yes, his selling point was the trash talk and the entertainment he brought, but to act like that alone got him the two title shots against Silva is idiocy. His run from 09-12 (Miller, Okami, Marquardt, Stann, Bisping, not to mention his performance against Silva at UFC 117) established him as a clear top contender at MW around that time, but if you hear people around here talking about him, you would think he was a bum who wouldn't even deserve to be top 15. He had one of the best power doubles ever, yes he was not well rounded everywhere, but what he did bring to the table (wrestling and top control) was world class. Also, his win against Shogun at LHW around this time is seriously underrated.

Let's have some positivity in here sherbros. Who you got.

 

[Londonjitsu]

Usman, Leon Edwards, Stipe, volkanovski

 

[HHJ]

Fedor

 

[RockyLockridge]

recency effect but frankie edgar. he's done so much and fought at a size disadvantage so many times.

 

[Eiffel-sixtyFight]

Fedor

 

[MichaelT]

The featherweight champ Volkanovski.

Leon Scott too

 

[R3DV1P3Rx28]

Ferguson, number 1 contender for 5 years, shouldve been recognized as a long reigning champ but ufc shit on him .

Do bronx, his record number of finishes is unprecedented. Ufc been sweeping him under the rug giving him dangerous no name fighters that are high risk low reward. He deserves better.

These two aren't the type ufc wants as champ. They aren't huge with the media and fergys getting old. They both could be easily been champ, EASILY...had the ufc favored them in matchmaking as they did with khabib connor etc.

 

[Dionysian]

1. Anyone that has had a 4 billion dollar promotional company target them for slander
2. Every single HW champ since 2009. Since every single one of them (no exceptions) were declared GOAT, then tossed to the curb and the new champ declared GOAT within one week of them winning the title. Every HW champ has only been valued in relation to defaming Fedor rather than promoted as an actual champ. Pretty disgusting, especially when fans buy into it.
3. Khabib prior to 229 (and immediately afterward as well, until he beat the UFC at that battle). Tony up until now. Aldo since he was matched with Conor and afterward.

 

[Cool RoboCop Gun]

Wanted to make a thread for some of the more underappreciated (or in many cases, unjustly disrespected and criticized) fighters, who have great skillset and accolades but for one reason or another, are not given their dues on these forums.

To start with, Chael Sonnen (at MW). Yes, his selling point was the trash talk and the entertainment he brought, but to act like that alone got him the two title shots against Silva is idiocy. His run from 09-12 (Miller, Okami, Marquardt, Stann, Bisping, not to mention his performance against Silva at UFC 117) established him as a clear top contender at MW around that time, but if you hear people around here talking about him, you would think he was a bum who wouldn't even deserve to be top 15. He had one of the best power doubles ever, yes he was not well rounded everywhere, but what he did bring to the table (wrestling and top control) was world class. Also, his win against Shogun at LHW around this time is seriously underrated.

Let's have some positivity in here sherbros. Who you got.

Question for you, thread starter: Does the fact that Sonnen was self-admittedly on PEDs affect your opinion of him?

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Probably Brock, that dude always wanted to face the toughest competition available to him.

 

[Chael_Sonnen]

Obvious answer would be Stipe.

I would say Cruz. People are saying his style doesn't work anymore, but that is patently false, he beat Dillashaw ffs.
I think he is a nightmare matchup for a guy like Aljo. I also think he is a bad matchup for Yan, because let's be honest, Yan is very good but he isn't exactly a movement genius with good cage cutting. Cruz would run circles around him.

 

[Melas Chasma]

Conor.

 

[Maripucci]

 

[Deleted member 579908]

Stipe is the #1 disrespected goat.
Volk can be the next in line.

EDIT: Conor is the most discredited great fighter in here. Can understand why tho.

 

[Karelinator]

Timmeh Sylvia.

He was quite an awkward goober (heh) but he was pretty damn good in his best years.

 

[Th3Sav4ge]

people still think derrick lewis sucks. hes going to keep winning though, because hes actully pretty good

 

[Kevster]

Easily Miocic, he could blitz Ngannou in less than a minute and there would be some billy bull shit excuse within seconds.

 

[Karelinator]

people still think derrick lewis sucks. hes going to keep winning though, because hes actully pretty good

I agree but it's him who kinda undermines his performances, saying that he doesn't train much and that his ground defense is 'just get up' or whatever.

So it's on him that some people believe it a bit too much, lol.

 

[The Chosen]

Conor McGregor for sure

 

[Rvd Slmr]

To start with, Chael Sonnen (at MW). Yes, his selling point was the trash talk and the entertainment he brought, but to act like that alone got him the two title shots against Silva is idiocy. His run from 09-12 (Miller, Okami, Marquardt, Stann, Bisping, not to mention his performance against Silva at UFC 117) established him as a clear top contender at MW around that time, but if you hear people around here talking about him, you would think he was a bum who wouldn't even deserve to be top 15. He had one of the best power doubles ever, yes he was not well rounded everywhere, but what he did bring to the table (wrestling and top control) was world class. Also, his win against Shogun at LHW around this time is seriously underrated.

Sonnen was a solid, but not great, fighter until he went on an epic dose of PEDs, even by pre-USADA standards. Overall, he tested positive to testosterone, HGH, EPO, anastrozole, clomiphene and hCG, and that was before they upgraded the testing standards. Not a lot of fighters have pissed hot as often and for as many different PEDs as he did.