Isn't it funny how the 1 thing PRIDE vs UFC nerds agreed on was Spider was overrated?

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Yet he turned out to be the GOAT?

Back in 2006 when PRIDE was still the top dog and UFC was gaining on them at an incredible pace, the PRIDE vs UFC debates were in full swing -- especially on Sherdog where the two organizations shared a forum.

Anderson Silva was one of the first guys who had fought in PRIDE to come over to the UFC (after a short stint in Cage Rage).

To UFC fans, Anderson was going to be one of the first guys to be exposed in the post TUF UFC. Chris Leben was going to beat him and, as he claimed, "send him back to Japan where the competition is easier."

PRIDE fans were trying to stop the damage before it even happened claiming it doesn't matter if Leben beats him because Anderson already showed he couldn't hang in PRIDE anyways. Leben beating him would prove nothing.

Fast-forward to a couple years later when UFC has already bought PRIDE and PRIDE vs UFC matches are on going, and after it's proven it never mattered what org someone was from, but more about how they matched up with any given opponent, both PRIDE and UFC fans changed their tune and were trying to claim Anderson for their own. Anderson was a PRIDE fighter so his wins should count in the PRIDE fighters win totals according to PRIDE fans. Nope. Anderson left PRIDE and was brought over on the cheap by Dana, so he was a UFC fighter.

In reality, Anderson, like anyone else, was never a PRIDE or UFC fighter. He was a prizefighter fighting for the biggest purses he could get.

In the end it showed how silly that whole debate was when the only thing UFC and PRIDE fans could agree on was that Anderson wasn't very good, but then he turned out to be the best.

It doesn't matter what organization you're in, it matters what matchups you get and how you handle them. PRIDE vs UFC, WEC and Strikeforce guys coming over, etc has taught us that. Chances are the win/loss will be 50/50 because organizations matter little in determining who wins a fight between 2 individuals.

These days, UFC fans seem to be doing the same thing to non UFC fighters that they hated PRIDE fans for doing to them. Claiming UFC fighters weren't good because they didn't fight in PRIDE was silly because it was never about where someone fought, it matters who they match up with. Remember that next time you want to claim someone isn't going to do well in the UFC because they never fought there.
 
Fedor is still the GOAT.

Amazing athletes like JDS only help prove that point. People underestimate how hard it is to not lose a fight at HW for as long as Fedor did. Guys that big only need to touch your chin. Oh yea and....Pride never die!
 
"GOAT" I really hate that term. Silva is about to retire and we are just now seeing a new crop of great fighters coming up, fighters that have had more than stellar beginnings to their careers than Silva or Fedor had. The sport is way to young to be throwing around phrases like "such 'n such is the GOAT"
 
Fedor is still the GOAT.

Amazing athletes like JDS only help prove that point. People underestimate how hard it is to not lose a fight at HW for as long as Fedor did. Guys that big only need to touch your chin. Oh yea and....Pride never die!

I think in the last 2 years Anderson has surpassed Fedor. I had Fedor as the GOAT until the 1st Chael Sonnen fight. Seeing Anderson face adversity and still pull out the win was the missing piece. Then his merking of Vitor and Yushin solidified his top spot.

Fedor is still my #2 in terms of the GOAT (although GSP is gaining on him), but I gotta put Anderson at #1.

This is a sport where anything can happen and the fact that Anderson, Fedor and GSP have or had been able to stay on top for so long is a testament to their greatness, but Anderson is my clear cut #1.
 
Fedor is still the GOAT.

Amazing athletes like JDS only help prove that point. People underestimate how hard it is to not lose a fight at HW for as long as Fedor did. Guys that big only need to touch your chin. Oh yea and....Pride never die!

thread closed :icon_excl
 
"GOAT" I really hate that term. Silva is about to retire and we are just now seeing a new crop of great fighters coming up, fighters that have had more than stellar beginnings to their careers than Silva or Fedor had. The sport is way to young to be throwing around phrases like "such 'n such is the GOAT"

You gotta start somewhere. It's not like there's a set amount of time that needs to pass before you can declare someone an all-time great.

I doubt anyone ever discounted Jack Johnson's accomplishment of winning the HW title in 1908 on account of not enough time passing. He's still an all-time great. Same with Anderson and Fedor.

What they were able to accomplish during their reign is incredible, yet we as fans almost take it for granted because we're so used to it.
 
Fedor is still goat to me. Unless silva goes up and beats jones then it will stay that way until jones packs on the muscle and goes to Hw to clean house.
 
I think that proves nothing except that MMA fans are petty and shallow.

They also tie their self worth and enjoyment of the sport to individual personalities and organizations, instead of the actual sport itself.
 
You gotta start somewhere. It's not like there's a set amount of time that needs to pass before you can declare someone an all-time great.

I doubt anyone ever discounted Jack Johnson's accomplishment of winning the HW title in 1908 on account of not enough time passing. He's still an all-time great. Same with Anderson and Fedor.

What they were able to accomplish during their reign is incredible, yet we as fans almost take it for granted because we're so used to it.

Huge difference between GOAT and "an all time great"

In face, I don't think the term "greatest of all time" can ever be used appropriately. It's so subjective.
 
Let's all ignore the bulk of the post and focus on one little line about who is the GOAT or not, because we can't find that discussion in a million other threads on this very forum...

Good post TS. Agree completely, people need to quit focusing on "PRIDE" "UFC" "WEC" fighter etc.
 
I think that proves nothing except that MMA fans are petty and shallow.

They also tie their self worth and enjoyment of the sport to individual personalities and organizations, instead of the actual sport itself.

Self-worth? Wait. Who ties their self-worth to the MMA organization(s) they follow? I would venture to say no one.

Don't you think your overreacting a bit here?
 
Fedor is still the GOAT.

Amazing athletes like JDS only help prove that point. People underestimate how hard it is to not lose a fight at HW for as long as Fedor did. Guys that big only need to touch your chin. Oh yea and....Pride never die!

Well said bro, 10/10
 
"GOAT" I really hate that term. Silva is about to retire and we are just now seeing a new crop of great fighters coming up, fighters that have had more than stellar beginnings to their careers than Silva or Fedor had. The sport is way to young to be throwing around phrases like "such 'n such is the GOAT"

silva just signed a 10 fight deal olol
 
Baseball GOAT- Babe Ruth 90 years ago in his prime.

Boxing- Sugar Ray Robinson 60 years ago.

Don't always assume newer models are greater.
 
Fedor is still the GOAT.

Amazing athletes like JDS only help prove that point. People underestimate how hard it is to not lose a fight at HW for as long as Fedor did. Guys that big only need to touch your chin. Oh yea and....Pride never die!

totally agree, went a decade being undefeated in the land of giants.
 
Only a complete and total moron thought that Chris Leben had any chance against the Spider. Whether or not you thought that Rich Franklin would school Anderson is a whole different story, but literally no one who wasn't a TUF newb actually thought that Leben stood a chance.
 
3 years isn't that long dude

fair point, but Silva said himself he "only" has "5 years...I think he still remains undefeated @ MW (not sure about any other weight class he dares to venture) until then
 
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