Who's the most important fighter in MMA history?

[Takes Two To Tango]

If you can narrow it down to one, if not it's ok.

I think Royce Gracie and than Fedor.

 

[moreorless87]

The issue with Royce is though if you could arguably replace him with several other Gracie's(especially Rickson)would the result would likely have been the same or similar?

Personally I would say Sakuraba was maybe the most important, but for him I suspect MMA in Japan may never had hit the heights it did as whilst early Pride got a boost from Takada fighting Rickson Saku actually winning against quality comp with style is really what made MMA in Japan take off and without that I'm not sure Dana persuades the bros/Zuffa to buy the UFC or indeed to stick with it for years, having that example of MMA being mainstream sucessful elsewhere as proof of what could be done was likely a massive factor.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

The issue with Royce I would say though if you could arguably replace him with several other Gracie's(especially Rickson) and the result would likely be the same or similar.

Personally I would say Sakuraba was maybe the most important, but for him I suspect MMA in Japan may never had hit the heights it did as whilst early Pride got a boost from Takada fighting Rickson Saku actually winning against quality comp with style is really what made MMA in Japan take off and without that I'm not sure Dana persuades the Zuffa to buy the UFC or indeed to stick with it for years, having that example of MMA being mainstream sucessful elsewhere as proof of what could be done was likely a massive factor.

That's a good pick indeed. Thanks.

 

[djacobox372]

Royce, Ronda, and Conor

 

[moreorless87]

That's a good pick indeed. Thanks.

I think the difference with the UFC breakthough in the US is its harder to really pin it on one fighter, Tito, Ken, Chuck, Forrest, etc all played significant roles.

 

[haj02]

It's Royce, it doesn't matter that it could have been another Gracie. Fedor isn't particular important, he's just a mythical HW that did great outside the UFC - he didn't really cause any major breakthroughs. Ronda, Conor, Brock, Anderson Silva, Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Stephan Bonner were all pretty pivotal.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

It's Royce, it doesn't matter that it could have been another Gracie. Fedor isn't particular important, he's just a mythical HW that did great outside the UFC - he didn't really cause any major breakthroughs. Ronda, Conor, Brock, Anderson Silva, Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Stephan Bonner were all pretty pivotal.

That's a fair statement.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Royce, the whole thing started with him. I don't buy that it could be any Gracie as Royce being a small dude and fucking people up would have garnered more attention than jacked Rickson doing it

Then probably Takada for me who put a lot of eyes on the sport in Japan

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Royce, the whole thing started with him. I don't buy that it could be any Gracie as Royce being a small dude and fucking people up would have garnered more attention than jacked Rickson doing it

Then probably Takada for me who put a lot of eyes on the sport in Japan

Yes, that's so true. Royce in being the size that he was made it more legendary in beating guys who were much bigger than he was or more muscular.

 

[Elegant]

Conor literally changed the entire culture and foundation of MMA

The way fighters promote themselves along with the way promotions advertise their product was literally all completely revolutionized and changed during/after Conor's run/time at the top

People will continue making movies/documentaries on Conor's legacy and discussing how he singlehandedly evolved the whole the sport of MMA to a level that was previously thought to be unattainable for a combat sport

It's why I don't understand how as an MMA fan you can dislike him, he arguably saved the sport and is the only reason it's still flourishing to the extent it is

 

[HHJ]

Would never narrow it down to one. Fuck that shit. That's disrespectful to the GAME.

 

[HHJ]

It's why I don't understand how as an MMA fan you can dislike him

lmao

You probably need to smarten up then

 

[HHJ]

That's a fair statement.

No it fucking isnt.

The only people downplaying Fedor's impact just werent around and dont know anything.

"Just a HW who did well outside the UFC"

What the fuck? UFC was second fiddle for a long time. Fedor was considered the best fighter in the world for a long time.

 

[Karate Kid]

Fedor Emelianenko

 

[haj02]

Conor literally changed the entire culture and foundation of MMA

The way fighters promote themselves along with the way promotions advertise their product was literally all completely revolutionized and changed during/after Conor's run/time at the top

People will continue making movies/documentaries on Conor's legacy and discussing how he singlehandedly evolved the whole the sport of MMA to a level that was previously thought to be unattainable for a combat sport

It's why I don't understand how as an MMA fan you can dislike him, he arguably saved the sport and is the only reason it's still flourishing to the extent it is

I like or dislike people based on their character rather than their achievements generally. I actually think he's brought the worst out in fighters and fans despite bringing more eyes to the sport but that benefits Dana White not me.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

Picking Royce Gracie makes it seem like there is a disconnect or misunderstanding between what MMA is or why it is popular. If UFC 1 never happened the only difference is the #1 MMA league today would have a different name and slightly different history.

Some of Royce's opponents like Shamrock and Sakuraba are more important for MMA. And no, they wouldn't have needed the Gracie storyline to become popular, MMA was already becoming a thing in Japan, the UFC had nothing to do with that. Royce is not even the most important Gracie, it's likely Rickson.

McGregor has brought MMA to its biggest commercial heights. Not unlike Jordan or Woods. No, it doesn't matter that he isn't as good at the sport as those guys are at theirs. Takeda, Lesnar, GSP, and Ronda are all responsible for large expansions for MMA's popularity, more so than Royce Gracie was. Most people don't remember or even know, but Wanderlei Silva was a way bigger deal in Japan than Royce Gracie was, even when he was fighting Sakuraba.



The UFC of today and UFC 1 are basically two different entities. MMA existed without the UFC, and existed in a couple of different countries under different names. So I don't think Royce Gracie is quite the most important person (I'm assuming this is based off him winning the first couple UFC tournaments). The UFC was rather irrelevant during Royce's time.

If Royce had not fought (or any of the Gracies), the only difference is the narrative for UFC 1 would be different, or another no-holds bar tournament would have happened instead.

The UFC and Pride definitely could push an event behind Royce Gracie, but he wasn't that useful for expanding the market to non-MMA fans, which is kind of what makes someone important. Otherwise, what are we talking about? MMA is just entertainment.

 

[Bork Neslar]

 

[dc007]

Royce. He was picked for his small build to prove the merits of BJJ. Started the whole sport really.

 

[Mammothman]

I would like to say Silva, the first ever true icon and MJ of the sports, his finishes and fights will always be legendary, even his stinkers

 

[Brigfa2]

Khabib