Is Cowboy Really a "Legend"?

He is a legend
He is also a choke artist

I definitely class him a legend, but his nerves would get the best of him. I think he would have a much better record if he could not let the occasion get to him

Donald is a very talented, well rounded fighter and most certainly had the skills to be the champ

He should have retired following the Conor fight, but now is as good a time as any. He has nothing left and he has a family.
 
bogeyj said:
people like to throw out these hyperbolic terms once someone retires (or dies).

you have sherdoggers acting like they weren't just calling Cowboy a bum a month ago,

and now that he's retired he's one of the best LW's to ever compete? {<huh}

Cowboy ain't a legend. a good fighter but not a legend. if we make an exception for Cowboy being some legendary fighter, then I guess guys like Joe Lauzon & Gray Maynard are also "legends" {<jordan}
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Not a legend and not great. He was a very good fighter until late in his career. He never won the title. Words have been watered down. I hear announcers/journalists describing each other as great. I put RDA above Cowboy. He has the longevity, won a title, has the toughness where he didn't quit in the ring. He also went up to a division he didn't belong in and even when he lost it was always a tough night for his opponent. The Conor fight is glaring problem on his 'resume'. I would consider RDA great (not a legend) and Cowboy a notch or two below.
 
bogeyj said:
people like to throw out these hyperbolic terms once someone retires (or dies).

you have sherdoggers acting like they weren't just calling Cowboy a bum a month ago,

and now that he's retired he's one of the best LW's to ever compete? {<huh}

Cowboy ain't a legend. a good fighter but not a legend. if we make an exception for Cowboy being some legendary fighter, then I guess guys like Joe Lauzon & Gray Maynard are also "legends" {<jordan}
Click to expand...
Problem with Cowboy is that he raked in way too many losses in the last years. It was getting old to see him get the shit beaten out of him all the time and then just laugh it off afterwards.

He was clearly coming for a paycheck. And the Conor loss really is a stain on his record.
 
No, the word legend gets thrown around too easily nowadays. Cerroni has had just as many embarrassing losses as he’s had good wins.
 
All depends on how you define legend, really. I'd say yes, based on longevity, the fact that he's one of the most recognizable names/faces in the sport and his UFC records.
 
Cowboy is probably the best case for you can never be a champion but still have as much if not more recognition than some champs and still have a great career. Statistically speaking, most fighters won’t become champs but we still need them around otherwise if everyone who couldn’t be a champ retired we’d have like 5 fighters in each division.
 
Obviously a legend. People let his end of career slide overshadow what a stellar career he had. Probably wont see another fighter like him for a long time, closest we have now is probably Holland.
 
No, I think he is the ultimate gatekeeper and an all-time fan favourite. The word legend implies greatness, Cowboy has not defeated enough elite talent in his career nor has he held a title.
 
A LEGEND doesn’t have to be top 5 all time or a goat. Belfort has 14L’s and he’s an absolute legend. Same with BJ.
 
Cowboy is a legend imo. 2nd most wins in UFC history (23) after Jim Miller (24), who beat him this past weekend.
 
He was a very active guy for sure. Was a top LW and a top WW a few times in his career. Lost a vast majority of the big fights, though, and failed to fucking show up when he most needed to, or when winning that fight would have made him a legend. Full disclosure here, I only rooted for this guy once (against Conor), and he looked like absolute dog shit.

Lots of respect for guy regardless, but I'm not sure how much folks who call him a legend are in love with the Cowboy character and the guy's demeanour more than they might be with the actual MMA accomplishments, although there is no doubt that the guy has had a fantastic WEC and UFC career.

Also, the guy dragged it out wayyyy too long and should have retired earlier...being winless in your final 7 fights just doesn't pay justice to his overall career.
 
This thread
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Hellowhosthat said:
Lets see.

#2 all time most UFC fights with 38
#2 all time most UFC wins with 23
#2 all time most finishes with 16
#2 all time most significant strikes landed
#1 all time most knockdowns
#1 all time most bonuses

I'd say it's safe to say yes.
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Go ahead and shut this one...oh...it went on for 7 more pages.



Guys we didn't need the next 7 pages. This post covered it.
 
Hellowhosthat said:
Lets see.

#2 all time most UFC fights with 38
#2 all time most UFC wins with 23
#2 all time most finishes with 16
#2 all time most significant strikes landed
#1 all time most knockdowns
#1 all time most bonuses

I'd say it's safe to say yes.
Click to expand...
Yeh I guess I’d agree seeing this.
 
Everybody has their own interpretation of “legend.” Does the fighter need to be a dominant champ? Sakuraba, Cro Cop, etc weren’t: No Cowboy never won a belt. But he is one of the winningest fighters in the history of the promotion, a major fan favorite and has fought a ton of the “who’s who” amongst 155 and 170. He had several great wins, lots of exciting finishes and was an all time action fighter win or lose. He was one of the important names merged over by the WEC in a very important time period for MMA. Especially for the lighter divisions. He was the last of a dying breed of the “anywhere, anytime” fighter, etc. etc. I’d say being a “legend” is less about being a dominant or elite champ, and more about your fingerprint on the sport and endearment from the fans. I’d say he’s a “legend” in his own right when I view MMA.
 
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