Tom "Big Cat" Erikson was a beast

[mkt]

Cole Konrad kind of reminded me of Erickson. Another really big HW wrestler. He retired 9-0 in Bellator at age 29. I think he would've held the belt a lot longer if he kept fighting there...possibly until Bellator closed shop in the last couple of years. It would've been interesting to see him come to the UFC, too. He and Brock trained together, so they probably didn't want a potential match-up (kind of like Cain and Cormier).

 

[gosuasus]

Cole Konrad kind of reminded me of Erickson. Another really big HW wrestler. He retired 9-0 in Bellator at age 29. I think he would've held the belt a lot longer if he kept fighting there...possibly until Bellator closed shop in the last couple of years. It would've been interesting to see him come to the UFC, too. He and Brock trained together, so they probably didn't want a potential match-up (kind of like Cain and Cormier).

Good shoutout! I would also like to mention Jared Rosholt, 3x NCAA D1. Ok fighter but clearly a step or two down from the golden generation.

Still, better something than nothing (today). Where's Gable Steveson?

 

[gosuasus]

Erickson was a monster. I'll never forget when he Front Strangle choked Matt Skelton in pride. His wrestling was so good and he was a huge guy with bad intensions.

One of the most brutal finishes ever. Literally makes a man who is on the receiving end look like the biggest cuck in the world.

 

[don't ask]

Cole Konrad kind of reminded me of Erickson. Another really big HW wrestler. He retired 9-0 in Bellator at age 29. I think he would've held the belt a lot longer if he kept fighting there...possibly until Bellator closed shop in the last couple of years. It would've been interesting to see him come to the UFC, too. He and Brock trained together, so they probably didn't want a potential match-up (kind of like Cain and Cormier).

I remember Konrad from all the hype online, but I don't think I ever saw one of his fights. I should go look him up now...

 

[BowserJr]

Herring was only 31 when he fought Brock, though. And he was coming off a win against fellow gatekeeper Kongo. I don't think he was that shopworn...he just didn't really evolve or have the elite skills to win a belt in either Pride of the UFC.

He had a bad knee injury going into the Obrien fight. We can be pretty sire that most MMA fighters especially back, did not have the medical treatment that NBA or NFL athletes do. Thats 1

2 - it was his 34th fight. The more I look at it the number of fights seems to be a bigger factor than age alone. Of course its a combo but when you see guys like Randy, DC and some others do well at high ages (with less fights) compared to other younger guys with more (even double) fights, it seems clear to me.

The interesting thing is that almost everyone declines right around the 30th fight regardless of age and weight class