Is Werdum the most improved fighter ever?

[FlyingKimurabar]

Him, TJ, and RDA are all debatable. Those guys went from Meh to superhero's

 

[anthony stark]

As in Ernefto Hooft?

Henry Hooft. Ernesto Hoost

On topic

TJ
RDA
MM

 

[yeguiza]

IMO RDA is very improved

 

[DeathByBeer]

Well, years ago Werdum was a top HW fighter...he had a horrible stretch where most wrote him off as past his prime. With his terrible showing vs. AA, then getting KTFO by JDS, then flopping vs. AO for three rounds and there was not much to cheer for.

But ya, he's been nothing short of epic since then.

So most improved is an odd description considering he was already great at one point in his career.

 

[Henderlei KO]

Not even top 10 IMO

TJ
RDA
Magny
Chad
Holloway
Michael Johnson
Demetrious
Tony Ferg
Wonderboy
Cro Cop circa 03
Gomi circa 04
etc etc

Wow, reach much ? You think Neil Magny is a more improved fighter than Fabricio Werdum ? Wtf ? Holloway?? They improved, but not as much as Werdum.

 

[CoffeeAndBeer]

I cant think of anyone that looked so pedestrian and one dimensional that has progressed so much in tenure in the sport and is even getting better with age.

Robbie certainly comes to mind
Matt Brown was on a major roll for a few years after a mediocre start.

Eh... from when to when?

When was Werdum "so pedestrian" or even all that "one dimensional", really?

He has the BJJ credentials, sure... and he has progressed in general, but he wasn't some schlub. Werdum was ranked Top 10 as far back as 2005.

He was using Muay Thai pretty effectively even back in 2003 -- those knees vs Gonzaga in Jungle Fights. He threw a flying front kick at one point!

 

[ARONAbeetFEDOR]

I think Robbie has improved more and beat better fighters than Werdum has.

 

[Diaper]

He def came a long way with his striking and his game overall. Though altitude has been a hell of a partner in both of his most important UFC fights. I will come back with this after the Miocic fight and elaborate more with examples and shit.

 

[chinarice]

TRT is one helluva drug.

Wouldn't surprise me one bit.

 

[dre quinn]

TJ. Always good but he is on a another level now

Like Mendes he used to be just a wrestler.

Tj lost plus uriah dissin him about USADA lol

 

[Bend NvR Break]

RDA most improved fighter

 

[dre quinn]

vitor is a great answer although he was amazing at 19 but he sunk so low at times and he was thought of as a has been then all of a sudden he just starts winning huge fights.

True he only lost 3 title fights in 9 years.

 

[chinarice]

Tj lost plus uriah dissin him about USADA lol

Uriah is just being a little baby about his student surpassing him and leaving him.

He is just the pissed off ex.

 

[AndroidRage]

Yeah, I think the cage just made him more virile.

Is that a boner pill joke? Lmao

 

[ExitLUPin]

Wow, reach much ? You think Neil Magny is a more improved fighter than Fabricio Werdum ? Wtf ? Holloway?? They improved, but not as much as Werdum.

Neil was getting choked out by no names years ago and KTFO by Ricci. Now he's a perennial top 10 WW who has TKOd Hector Lombard and Kelvin G.

Max was losing or should've lost to Leonard Garcja standing. Now he's one of the best strikers in MMA, one of the best switch hitters and his grappling as improved an insane amount.

Fab improved alot but he was always a top 10 guy and even in SF he showed good striking and even out-struck Reem in exhanges. He just wasn't as confident as he is now his biggest improvt is his clinch.

 

[chiefwiggum]

He gets my vote. He has so much experience and confidence from always fighting the best from the start.

Robbie was always a top level fighter. Had some losses and great wins and just got slandered by the ufc for being somewhere else and fans buy it. Just like every other fighter under a different banner.

 

[TH1RTE3N]

If Souza was more active, I think his career would pretty much mirror Werdum. Older Brazilians that were mostly strong BJJ specialist who improved their striking and became legit threats/champs.

 

[Hend0Goat0]

I think people repeat that Werdum was one dimensional in the past without watching his matches, he certainly had stand up ability by late in his Pride run but it was mostly defensive.

I would say Vitor under Hooft must be high up in terms of someone developing a previously unknown ability late in their career.

To answer the question, he is up the air, along with Lawler, Brown, McGoat, and Killashaw.

 

[Paynebringer]

I would say RDA is the most improved fighter to date since losing to Khabib he hasn't lost yet. In fact the same aggressive forceful style that Khabib used to beat him Rafael Cordiero head coach & master of KINGS mma as adopted the Khabib come forward style and paired it with RDA's well rounded fight game and now have created a true LW monster.

KINGS mma doing BIG things with their fighters Werdum HW Champ, RDA LW Champ.

 

[MuyThaiElbows]

Robbie Lawler or RDA honestly. Fabricio Werdum has been dangerous for a very long time.