Most unappreciated UFC Fighter from the early years???

[Fedorgasm]

My nomination is Fred Ettish.

For many years people made fun of him because he lost so badly, but that dude has balls of steel.

He wanted to fight so bad that he agreed to just be a gopher so he could hang around the event. And when they needed a late replacement they just told him, "get dressed, you're fighting" and his opponent was a much bigger trained kickboxer.

Also, back then, everyone still believed in their mcdojo art. Fred wasn't the only one that thought his style would work. But he was brave enough to test himself when the odds were very much not in his favor.

After learning that brutal lesson, he began training MMA and developed into a pretty good martial artist. Dude did not deserve the ridicule he got.

 

[StonedLemur]

View attachment 1050125

That's the exact picture I had in my head lol

 

[HHJ]

look at those two LHW's lol

 

[HHJ]

My nomination is Fred Ettish.

For many years people made fun of him because he lost so badly, but that dude has balls of steel.

He wanted to fight so bad that he agreed to just be a gopher so he could hang around the event. And when they needed a late replacement they just told him, "get dressed, you're fighting" and his opponent was a much bigger trained kickboxer.

Also, back then, everyone still believed in their mcdojo art. Fred wasn't the only one that thought his style would work. But he was brave enough to test himself when the odds were very much not in his favor.

After learning that brutal lesson, he began training MMA and developed into a pretty good martial artist. Dude did not deserve the ridicule he got.

Reminds me of Strange Brew.

Maybe not someone who should be appreciated so much as they got flack they didnt deserve

 

[Fedorgasm]

Also, I think Art Jimmerson is underappreciated.

People laugh at him for wearing one glove, but you have to remember the context. Nobody has ever seen this shit before. Especially Art. He didn't know that to expect.

He did know that punching bare knuckled would break his hand, which others didn't learn until several years and broken hands later.

But he knew guys might try to wrestle him so he couldn't wear 2 gloves. So he compromised. Left one hand for grabbing and one for punching.

Afterwards it looked ridiculous, but if you were in his shoes with the limited information available, you very well may have made the same decision.

Also, people mock him for tapping just from Royce getting full mount.

But again, remember that nobody knew what Royce would do. Back then people still believed in mcdojo shit. So Art knows that he has this martial arts master on top of him, and he's completely helpless, can't move, can't escape, can't fight back. And in his head he's probably thinking, "shit these karate guys break bricks and tear out Adams apples... Do I wait until after that happens to me? Fuck that."

The fight was lost. He was helpless. There's no sense in taking any extra damage.

This is how modern refs do their job. When the winner is no longer in question, they stop the fight, regardless of how little damage was done.

Art was brave as hell to agree to fight in UFC 1 with so much uncertainty. He should be respected. Not mocked.

 

[HHJ]

Also, I think Art Jimmerson is underappreciated.

People laugh at him for wearing one glove, but you have to remember the context. Nobody has ever seen this shit before. Especially Art. He didn't know that to expect.

He did know that punching bare knuckled would break his hand, which others didn't learn until several years and broken hands later.

But he knew guys might try to wrestle him so he couldn't wear 2 gloves. So he compromised. Left one hand for grabbing and one for punching.

Afterwards it looked ridiculous, but if you were in his shoes with the limited information available, you very well may have made the same decision.

Also, people mock him for tapping just from Royce getting full mount.

But again, remember that nobody knew what Royce would do. Back then people still believed in mcdojo shit. So Art knows that he has this martial arts master on top of him, and he's completely helpless, can't move, can't escape, can't fight back. And in his head he's probably thinking, "shit these karate guys break bricks and tear out Adams apples... Do I wait until after that happens to me? Fuck that."

The fight was lost. He was helpless. There's no sense in taking any extra damage.

This is how modern refs do their job. When the winner is no longer in question, they stop the fight, regardless of how little damage was done.

Art was brave as hell to agree to fight in UFC 1 with so much uncertainty. He should be respected. Not mocked.

He really always was a good sport about the whole thing. I think the fans did appreciate him for that.

 

[Ares Black]

My nomination is Fred Ettish.

For many years people made fun of him because he lost so badly, but that dude has balls of steel.

He wanted to fight so bad that he agreed to just be a gopher so he could hang around the event. And when they needed a late replacement they just told him, "get dressed, you're fighting" and his opponent was a much bigger trained kickboxer.

Also, back then, everyone still believed in their mcdojo art. Fred wasn't the only one that thought his style would work. But he was brave enough to test himself when the odds were very much not in his favor.

After learning that brutal lesson, he began training MMA and developed into a pretty good martial artist. Dude did not deserve the ridicule he got.

Yeah I will admit that I used to think of him as a joke, but in reality he was just a guy who was outmatched and too brave from his own good.

I really respect him for coming back 15 years later and winning.

Fred Ettish MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com

The industry pioneer in UFC, Bellator and all things MMA (aka Ultimate Fighting). MMA news, interviews, pictures, videos and more since 1997.

www.sherdog.com