From the dark age, MMA emerged in the early 2000s, thus began a golden age, which lasted until the late 2000s, when a new generation of fighters emerged and got the better of the legends of the golden age.
Some say it's a natural process. The old declined, the new eclipsed -- such is the natural order of the universe. Others say "EXPOSED!" "CANS!" such is the stupidity on internet forums.
During the golden age, two organizations rivaled against each other, Japan's Pride and the US's UFC. It was always a heated debate on sherdog back in those days, which organization had better fighters.
In the heavies, Pride boasted the like of Fedor, Big Nog and Crocop - the big three, the holy trinity. UFC had Tim Sylvia, Arlovski, Randy and Mir as their top dawgs.
In the light heavies, we saw Pride's Silva, Lil Nog, Shogun, Arona, Saku, Rampage and others. In the UFC, there was Tito, Chuck and again, Randy.
In the first head-to-head combat, Chuck went over to Japan and destroyed Mezner and Overreem, aiming at eventually beating Silva, proving once and for all UFC's superiority. But alas, it wasn't meant to be as he was ravaged by Rampage.
When UFC bought Pride, we finally get to see these legends head to head. It was sort of a moot point, because by then they were all "UFC fighters" anyway, but regardless, the debate of Pride versus UFC continued.
The result, we all know. Big Nog defeated Sylvia to become UFC interim champ. He also beat Randy. But Lost to Mir twice. Crocop meanwhile also lost to Mir. But then Mir lost to Overreem. Those were the battles confined to the UFC.
More intriguing was when Sylvia and Arlovski finally challenged the Last Emperor that is Fedor, outside of the UFC. They were both finished in the first round.
Put the above together, other than Mir's performance, it is safe to say, Pride heavies conquered UFC heavies.
In the LHW, Tito was beaten by Lil Nog. Chuck was knocked out by Rampage and Shogun, but he did gained an important consolation. In the head to head with Silva, UFC's #1 LHW versus Pride's #1 LHW, Chuck won a decision. Meanwhile, Forest beat Shogun, the the latter got his revenge.
Put the above all together, perhaps it's wise to say the Pride had the advantage.
Hence, head-to-head, fighers-to-fighters, pimps-to-pimps, playas-to-playas, legends-to-legends, Pride conquered the UFC in a fist-fight, but UFC conquered Pride in a financial battle.
But of course, since these legends have either retired or still pushing on unwisely as the careers wind down, to the typical sherdoggers, it's "Exoposed!" "Cans!"
Why? Because unlike Gary Goodridge, your average sherdoggers need not get punched in the head by the best fighers in the world for a decade to get brain damage.
They are naturally born stupid.
witness the TL, DR.
