The state of American MMA

[Koro_11]

Was just talking to one of my fellow Sherbros on another thread about which nation is producing the best fighters, etc. and we got to talking about Americans and it had me go check the rankings to see how they’re doing at the moment.

Here are the highest ranked American fighters by division according to sherdog rankings:

HW - Curtis Blaydes #7
LHW - Khalil Rountree #5
MW - Sean Strickland #4
WW - Sean Brady #9
LW - Max Holloway #4
FW - Aljamain Sterling (not ranked in top 10)
BW - Sean O’Malley #4
FLY - Brandon Royval #4

So, not a single fighter in the top three, and it’s not like they fill out the rest of the top 10, it’s mostly just one or two guys per division that are even ranked.

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

We have Kayla and hopefully Gable soon enough.

The days of Chris Weidmans vs Luke Rockholds, and guys like Cruz, DJ Mendes Frankie Dillashank etc. are probably over for awhile

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

Americans don't care where you are from... They'll cheer and boo you all the same...

 

[MMA_AZ]

HOAX! All divisions have undefeated American Champions! American MMA is so HOT right now!

 

[RockyLockridge]

I think you can count van as american, He trains and lives in america

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

Well they have less than 6 months to win every belt and then defend all of them at the White House

 

[Clark Rogers]

I find it hard to judge based on where someone is from, particularly in MMA.

So many live and train other places. No American champs but several champs living here training with American teams...

 

[Skarsgard]

Can't really go by something as heavily manipulated as rankings.

 

[Koro_11]

Can't really go by something as heavily manipulated as rankings.

I criticize rankings as much as the next guy, but no case can be made for any American being in the top 3 at the moment.

 

[jsbx45]

Americans care less and less about MMA. No money in it, UFC continually leaving a bad taste, biggest stars are criminal douchebags. It's not even a sport anymore. Sad but true.

 

[Pequeño Corey]

Why draw the line at highest ranked and disregard the rest? The USA is well represented in top ten rankings, overall, despite not having any champs. The last time I tallied this up, there was something like 15 ranked Americans across all divisions. How does that stack up to Mexico? Russia? Brazil?

 

[Blastbeat]

Which state, TS?
Goddamn foreigners talking about the USA and they can't even name the specific state they're talking about.

 

[europe1]

I think a big part of it is how bad American gyms have become. They've refused to professionalize. They started off selling MMA like some sort of lifestyle and not moved past that. Its striking how more well-developed and well-rounded prospects from Australia or Russia (generally) are.

 

[Koro_11]

Why draw the line at highest ranked and disregard the rest? The USA is well represented in top ten rankings, overall, despite not having any champs. The last time I tallied this up, there was something like 15 ranked Americans across all divisions. How does that stack up to Mexico? Russia? Brazil?

Not even, I was just looking at the rankings division by division and was surprised how few Muricans there are in the top 10. I would be willing to bet there are more ranked Brazilians and Russians, and the Mexicans are probably pretty close too.

 

[Neck&Neck]

Americans just don’t have that immigrant mentality that Joe Rogan told me about

 

[Pequeño Corey]

Not even, I was just looking at the rankings division by division and was surprised how few Muricans there are in the top 10. I would be willing to bet there are more ranked Brazilians and Russians, and the Mexicans are probably pretty close too.

I included women’s divisions in my count. I typically ignore WMMA, but will absolutely use their numbers if it helps further my counter narrative

 

[Last Falconry]

American mma putting all their chips on "Gable Steveson"

 

[Thy]

U.S. Been more about the lul fights lately. The stupid streetbeef stuff and i saw some pretty funny fights from the minesota derpyness.

 

[Thy]

Americans just don’t have that immigrant mentality that Joe Rogan told me about

Cause all the immigrants here are rich now by gaming the system. U need poor people to make good fighters. But poor people in america tend to turn to meth instead of mma i guess?

 

[Burd]

The world is huge. No reason to think Americans would be the best.