Who's the best "one-dimensional" fighter ever?

[Donnybat]

I don't think Maia was on these guys level

I could mention Liddell because he rarely used offensively a weapon beyond his striking, his wrestling was used only to avoid take downs

Maia is the epitome of one dimensional fighter imo. Against a wrestler he'd hardly get a TD and and the fighter ended as a 50-45. But if it go the the ground he dominates either a sub or points.

Chuck as to your example, used TDD to keep the fighter where he wanted, which clearly resulted in 2 dimensions being used. Cro Cop falls into the category.

 

[Lord_Impaler]

Bro, Big Nog was a really great boxer in his prime.

True.

 

[Lord_Impaler]

Aoki I would think

Dream LW champ 49 wins w 32 subs etc

That’s a good one

 

[Lord_Impaler]

How is Wanderlei on 2 people's lists?

His defensive BJJ was among some of the best. Over 50 fights and he was never submitted.

His wrestling defense was at a good level.

He was one of the most well rounded fighters for a long time.

One dimensional in the sense that he was always going to try to win chute boxe berserker style. Not that he was incompetent at grappling. I mean if you’re taking one dimensional literally….there’s almost no one. Royce Gracie…..I can’t really think of another one. Art Jimmerson lol

 

[Fight Professor]

Ronda

 

[Joshua8531]

I think there's two dimensions: stand up and ground, so wrestling and jiu jitsu work on the same dimension (I'm just adding something to debate)

I see your point but disagree we've seen many wrestlers throughout the years just wrestling having no clue what to do offensively with BJJ to actually finish. Wrestlers hate being on their backs BJJ guys have no problem with. Two completely separate disciplines.

 

[prime_lobov]

What about Hendo? He was so one dimensional that he relied entirely on the H-bomb. Dude never even threw a kick. Some people claim he is a wrestler but I can’t recall him ever shooting a takedown, and when he faced DC it looked like he had junior high wrestling at best. DC was tossing him around like a loaf of bread

 

[Joshua8531]

So 2 rounds out of a career of 29 fights ?

I'd say that is pretty much still a damn clear example.of someone who succeeded following one specific gameplan.

Ya but saying wrestling and BJJ are the same discipline is like saying Boxing and Kicking boxing are the same or Kickboxing and Muay Thai are the same.

 

[Joshua8531]

What about Hendo? He was so one dimensional that he relied entirely on the H-bomb. Dude never even threw a kick. Some people claim he is a wrestler but I can’t recall him ever shooting a takedown, and when he faced DC it looked like he had junior high wrestling at best. DC was tossing him around like a loaf of bread

He automatically went to his wrestling game against Silva . Dc by fight time probably had 20 pounds on him, bit of a size difference, like Nate vs Mcdonald.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

Maia is the epitome of one dimensional fighter imo. Against a wrestler he'd hardly get a TD and and the fighter ended as a 50-45. But if it go the the ground he dominates either a sub or points.

Chuck as to your example, used TDD to keep the fighter where he wanted, which clearly resulted in 2 dimensions being used. Cro Cop falls into the category.

Damian Maia took down Jon Fitch like 10 times. Took down Jake Shields a few times. Got Chael Sonnen down from the clinch which is Chael's speciality. Damian Maia has very strong wrestling.

 

[KO Shotz]

Werdurm, until he got hands & a stand up game outta nowhere.

But as of today, definitely Merab.

 

[Ara tech]

There is no one who is a one dimensional fighter in modern MMA. Because it is impossible to succeed with being one dimensional.

 

[Limeade]

James Toney versus Randy

 

[El Panteron]

I think there's two dimensions: stand up and ground, so wrestling and jiu jitsu work on the same dimension (I'm just adding something to debate)

You have to at least separate the wrestling from the sub grappling, the fact that so many fighters are skilled in one but not the other tells us it's two very separate things.

I'd argue a dimension people talk about less often is rhythm and level of activity/passivity.

 

[HUGHPHUG]

Big Nog
Cro cop
Liddel
Igor vovchanyn
Matt hughes
Tim Sylvia
Mark Coleman
Sean Sherk
Royce Gracie
Kevin Randleman
Wanderlei
Tito
Don Frye
Tank Abbott

Thank you

 

[GluttonforPunishment]

Ngannou. I don't see how it's close. Can only throw hands.

 

[RichardHarrow]

Lesnar

 

[The Accuser]

Jake Shields.
One-dimensional af but had a great career. Had better wind than Maia.

 

[Bend NvR Break]

Maia immediately comes to mind.

Jake Shields and Matt Hughes were basically grapplers fighting in MMA. I remember when Hughes dropped Ricardo Almedia a punch and he had a look of shock on his face.

 

[Tapatio]

Damian Maia took down Jon Fitch like 10 times. Took down Jake Shields a few times. Got Chael Sonnen down from the clinch which is Chael's speciality. Damian Maia has very strong wrestling.

Yep. Had a fantastic single leg. Maia was far from one dimensional