These Russians are destroying MMA

[JacJeanFinger]

Back in the 1990s, Soviet Muslims could not find a fighting job anywhere beside in Japan where RINGS ran monthly MMA shows.

American promoters disliked communists and Muslims, 2 biggest enemies of freedom and didn't care how strong they were.

In 2000, RINGS finally introduced 2 of the best Russian fighters to the world of MMA. The best guy gave up with MMA career after a trial and the non-muslim guy with the second highest potential named Fedor became the man America couldn't ignore.

After the success of Fedor, soviets signed one after another as if there were nothing wrong with it.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

It's going to be unbearable to watch MMA with these guys, with their boring fighting styles, lack of charisma, etc.

Khamzat has 9 first round finishes in 15 fights, 5 of those at UFC level. Three decisions in his entire career and one of those was a FOTY contender. Hes also been one of the UFCs biggest stars for years in spite of not holding a belt until now.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

People in this thread weren't around for strikers getting caught in closed guard for 30 minutes or Miletich Fighting Systems point-fighting or the rise of lay'n'pray or the rise of wall'n'stall.

Russians today aren't doing anything new or more boring than what we've seen before. I'd rather see a skilled grappler smother an opponent than two sloppy strikers banging each other.

1000% this.

I was watching a card from 1996 the other day that had Erikson/Bustamante on it. The fight goes to the ground in the first 10 seconds, they dont come back up until almost 20 mins in (bearing in mind this is a completely unbroken 20 mins as there are no rounds too). Less than 2 mins after that Bustamante starts butt scooting and Tom basically circles him for over 5 mins. Bustamante then flops back down after around 30 seconds of stand up and resumes butt scooting. The fight ends in a draw after 40 minutes.

 

[Young Calf Kick]

You're right, we should just shut up and take what our corporate overlords give us.

ah yeah my bad I forgot you're under this weird tinfoil hat conspiracy impression that every UFC fight has a predetermined outcome.

I suppose the back to back spinning elbow finishes were also scripted by our "corporate overlords"?

 

[Tokoloko]

Something needs to be done.

Its more like UFC matchmaking is giving opportunity to these Russians duck/cancel xxx fights to get more favourable matchup/opportunities and build up their resume slowly without being forced into unfavorable fights as many others before.

Thats main reason why they have many succesfull fighters right now. Also Makhachev lose and Ankalev's lose were not flukes...

Right now for example Tsarukyan ducking rematch with Gamrot and urging for title shot vs Topuria - comical.

+ State controlled doping system of national teams and talents help alot too. Like u are definitely benefitting in some ways when they force u to take peds from 12-14years of age. - Thats why Russian federation athletes were banned on olympic games, not because of war... but because of dozen proven cases of athletes doping under state system....including childs. -Do everything for win, everything, ur health doesn't matter, if u dont take it prepare to be called coward by everyone.... - Siiimple sh.t

 

[Kaiokenrye24]

Ilia is the hero mma needs right now

 

[sonhow]

"Oh those Russians"
-Kenny Florian

 

[GoWokeGoBroke]

When 80% of the country doesn’t have indoor plumbing (lol Russia) you tend to do anything you can to possibly make it out. By using your brain or scrambling brains

 

[Hellowhosthat]

UFC has always been about finding out who the best fighters/styles are since back to the first events.

You can't cut out Russians if they're the best, you have to defeat them.

Other countries will be forced to adapt studying Russian anti grappling like they did learning BJJ when the Brazilians dominated.

Survival of the fittest.

Yep, people should watch Eduard Vartanyan who's mastered the art of dealing with the Dagi and Chechen fighters but the UFC won't bring him in for some reason.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Don't worry Khamzat will have a very entertaining fight in his next bout. I have no doubt.