Pioneers of UFC

[GamePunisher85]

Hey, guys!
I need your help. Some of you have seen my Caricatures before. If not you can find them here: http://gamepunisher.deviantart.com/gallery/
I want to do a short series on the true Pioneers of UFC. I need 5 names.

So far I have 4: Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Tank Abbott. I need at least one more. Should it be Taktarov, Ruas, Goodrige or Kerr? Or maybe some one else?

 

[fastrike]

Mark Coleman or Jens Pulver

 

[bigwaverider]

Nice stuff brother. No suggestions as of now.

 

[SheetsMMAfan]

Bas has a great story. If that man wouldnt have gotten a bad series of injuries though....

I know his career was mostly in pancrase and his win over Randleman may have been controversial though too.

His striking was pretty revolutionary and his commentating is always entertaining

Edit: Just noticed pioneer of "ufc". Bas might not fit that bill, but leaving this here anyway

 

[Candy Routure]

Great job!.. Saku, man!.. Saku!

 

[SirKratos]

Should it be Taktarov, Ruas, Goodrige or Kerr? Or maybe some one else?

How about Belfort ? He achieved everything those names had achieved +competed 19 more years at the top. He is without a doubt one of the top3 pioneers of UFC

Feels odd that I had to remind this...

 

[gfunkwave]

The "King of the Streets," Marco Ruas. He was the prototype MMA fighter; complete high-level striker/grappler...He was an undefeated legend in Brazil who the Gracies feared and avoided before coming to the UFC. Foot-stomps baby!

 

[Hammer House]

Mark Coleman or Kevin Randleman

 

[SpiderCrawl]

Fred Ettish?

 

[mime]

I vote Sakuraba or Mark Coleman

 

[cade187]

Coleman.

 

[GamePunisher85]

I feel like Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Vitor Belfort, Jens Pulver were right after the first generation era. Am I wrong?

When it comes to Sakuraba he is most defiantly a Legend and my top 5 all time favorite however he is more associated with Pride FC.

 

[ForbiddenSun]

Coleman for sure. Also loved me some Don Frye and Goodridge but they came after

 

[MrBoombostick]

Coleman was the first undisputed champion. Gotta have him in there.

 

[GamePunisher85]

Nice stuff brother. No suggestions as of now.

Thank you!

 

[katsikias]

Coleman takes my vote.

 

[Osculater]

The deadly one glove boxing champion

 

[Charlie77]

Gina Carano

 

[TheLuckiest]

Severn?

He's pretty OG and showed the power of wrestling and strength.

EDIT: Somehow missed that you had Severn on the list.

I shall return.

EDIT2: Coleman as listed. Vitor as well. When I think of the trail blazers of MMA, I think of the ones you listed plus Frank Shamrock, Kimo, Guy Mezger, Goodridge. There are a few more. Trying to think of who could have the most recognizable caricature, though.

 

[Uncle Termite]

Ken shamrock was the FIRST to use the hybrid style even before UFC was a thought. His style of grappling and stand up was the one that emerged as the modern MMA blue print more than any other. He was also the real FIRST UFC crowned Hw champ to put a belt around his waist ,not Coleman if we are looking at reality.


If you are looking for a 5th pioneer I also believe Don Frye should be there,he was the first anti jui Jitsu guy who beat them up with strikes using take down defense ,Boxer/Wrestler/master of the dirty boxing style who showed how to chip away at his opponents using strikes without kicking.He also won some Tournies,he was different from the traditional ground and pound striker.when making a pioneer list it should be the guys there with little blue print on other fighters I would say before guys like Belfort and couture hit the scene.


1/ Royce Gracie..... Revolutionized the fight game

2/ Ken shamrock... Paved the way for the future of how fighter will look

3/ Dan severn...... First pure Wrestler to show how devastating grappling can be and effective

4/ Don Frye....... First pro boxer to show the importance of striking technique/also trained under Severn

5/ Tank Abbott..... First street fighter who used ruthless aggression showing win at any means possible...he once held the fence while trapping varelans head while smile at the camera in pounding motion.He was also the first one punch knockout artist in MMA,he also had decent grappling when he used it,often pinning oppents down while pounding them into oblivion when he got the opportunity.