T-Berg's Top Ten 10.16.09: Week 4 - MMA's Top 10 Showmen

Posted by Todd Bergman on 10.16.2009

King Mo, Mayhem Miller, Frank Shamrock, or perhaps even Sakuraba? Who is MMA’s Best Showmen? 411’s Todd Bergman takes a look at MMA’s best in this edition of T-Berg’s Top 10.

In this week's edition of T-Berg's Top 10, I'm going to take a look at the Top 10 Best Showmen in MMA. There are quite a few factors that went into deciding this list. I initially wanted to post a list of nothing but positive personalities but that became mundane. So for this list, I've compiled a nice mixture of "bad guys" and "good guys" and have even thrown in some "weird guys" as well. As for a formula for this, I used the Bowl Championship Series formula and let the computers decide. So, this is what they came out with. Therefore, your problems with this list should be addressed to the computers and not to the human aspect of the deciding factor.


10.) Don "The Predator" Frye

It really doesn't matter what you think about Don Frye. Whether or not you like his short, tight American shorts or his Magnum P.I.-style mustache, there was always that guy in high school or college that you wanted to drink with because you knew that he had all the craziest stories about nailing teachers and killing bears with his bare hands. That guy is Don Frye. Most of the guys on this list have a certain flair or have to use flashy entrances to build their personality, but Frye doesn't need gimmicks. Just listen to the guy talk and you'll know why he made it onto this list. Forget Oprah, Dr. Phil (who isn't even a doctor), the chick with 8 kids, Don Frye needs his own talk show. It would make the old Man Show look like The View.



9.) King Mo

Some have called him a "Rampage" Jackson rip off, while some have called him the next big thing to hit the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Whatever you think, nothing is funnier than seeing King Mo take the mic and dazzle the Japanese crowd with his King Mo chant. The poor referee that constantly has to chant "King Mo" always seems like he hates it, but you know that deep down inside, he loves every minute of it. Mo has a great deal of charisma and uses it to full effect in his entrance and his fighting style. The former Oklahoma State wrestler has a lot of people talking. The questions surrounding Mo are still a great deal. People within MMA have questioned his will to fight tougher opponents, which really isn't fair considering that Sengoku only has a handful of quality fighters. Other questions surrounding him pertain to his will to be a true MMA fighter. I think that the last question has been answered with his fitness aspect. Mo always shows up in shape and looking to finish the fight. Mo has everything that the UFC looks for in a fighter but he needs some bigger wins in order to gain a solid look from the UFC. Maybe a move to DREAM would be better for Mo. DREAM is truly the pinnacle of Japanese MMA right now, and he can always improve his entrance and fanfare with DREAM because there will be more than 500 people in the crowd.



8.) Mayhem Miller

I've got a serious confession to make here: I personally can't stand Miller and don't know why anyone would truly like him. However, people do like him and they like him so much, in fact, that he got his own TV show. Whether Bully Beatdown is truly real is at your own interpretation. His monkey like mannerisms mixed with decent wrestling and showmanship qualities place Miller at number eight on this list. Mayhem lists his fighting style as "Pro Wrestling" and his location as "Parts Unknown." That's pretty funny, but I often wonder why the "true blue MMA fans" don't flame on Miller for trying to be a pro wrestler when the sport is quite often looked down upon in the MMA circle. Miller, like King Mo, seems ultimately to care more about his entrance than the actual fight. But don't think that Miller isn't a solid fighter. While a total nutcase, Mayhem is a solid grappler with decent stand up. Mayhem also deserves some credit for trying to make a decent entrance at a UFC show but it failed due to the UFC's entrance-through-the-crowd style sucking so badly.


7.) Nick and Nate Diaz

In every neighborhood, there is always the family with the kids who are complete assholes. Well, the Diaz brothers prove that fact nearly every time they fight. Originally, I wanted to list Nick Diaz here but it wouldn't be fair if Nate wasn't included. At times, it's hard to figure out whether the guys really want to fight or just want to be controversial. From Nick's amazing weed-induced submission of Gomi or Nate's middle-finger salute submission over Batman, it's obvious that these guys have talent. Then you either see a video or read a story about these guys outside of the fight and it totally blows your mind. Take for instance the night that Nick and Nate tried to beat up KJ Noons' dad after Noons defeated Yves Edwards. What a wild and crazy night that was, as both Diaz brothers took off running up the entrance flipping the birds to anyone and everyone within a 5 mile radius. It would be something to see Nick take on KJ again, but I don't see that fight happening with Noons trying to be the next "Golden Boy" of boxing.



6.) Frank Shamrock

There are quite a few avenues to travel down when it comes to describing Frank Shamrock. He's been a pioneer for MMA as a fighter and lately has become quite the commentator. His open criticism of his adoptive brother, Ken Shamrock, was a breath of fresh air while also being controversial. When he isn't trashing his brother on national TV, Frank can be found trashing opponents before, during, and after the fight. His taunting of Tito Ortiz during their epic encounter along with telling Phil Baroni that it's "time for the Sandman to visit" are among some of my personal favorites when it comes to the former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. Some of the things that I have listed might make you think that I only like the negative things that Shamrock does. Well, that's not true because I admire that Frank trains countless amounts of Policeman on hand-to-hand combat and offers free classes to kids and ladies who come from abusive households. Ultimately, MMA is a better sport for having Frank Shamrock in it.



5.) Minowa

The line at the last DREAM event went something like this: "not since Nikolai Volkoff has anyone sported the red bulge like Minowa-Man." That in itself says it all, doesn't it? Minowa has captured the hearts of many on his way to the finals of the DREAM Open Weight GP. Submitting the Giant Bob Sapp and Hong Man Choi while doing the Minowa Roll and fist-thrusting signature celebration in the process. The only thing missing from his two wins in the tournament has been the dropkick. While his entrances aren't epic by Japanese fighter standards, Minowa holds his own in his training videos. Whether it's Sumo wrestling champions from around the world or wrestling a masked wrestler, Minowa is always entertaining during the process. The Legend of the Minowa Man is continuing to grow outside of the United States. Minowa knows how to get the crowd on their feet and, unlike most, he isn't a negative personality in MMA. If you want to see a true showman in the sport of MMA, check out this guy.



4.) Phil Baroni

Friend of the column, Phil Baroni lands here on the list because he is the epitome of a showman and is always saying and doing the craziest things. While he has tamed his act quite a bit in the last couple of years, Baroni is still a must-see attraction at any MMA event. His signature entrance on the first ever MMA show on network television drew the love and ire of MMA fans across the world. His proclamation of "I'm the best eva" was, and still is, featured on almost every UFC highlight reel. Baroni is a can't miss interview and will always give you the sound bite that you are looking for, but Baroni is always honest which makes him much different from most cocky fighters out there. A unique honor for Baroni is that he is the last American-born fighter on this list. There is still a lot to come from Baroni as he is making his return to the UFC in the near future, and we all hope that the dancing girls and his trademark robe come back as well. We love you Phil!



3.) Akihiro Gono

He will forever be known as the guy with the best entrances in MMA history. His UFC 94 entrance was unique and something that I wish we would see a lot more of inside the Octagon. Also at UFC 94, Gono made a name for himself by handing his opponent, Jon Fitch, his afro to wear. It's the little things like those that show you the great personality of Gono. Inside the ring or cage, Gono is a true showman as well. His slick submission game mixed with his exciting striking ability keep fans on the edge of their seats. However, it's his strategic entrances complete with dancing, and just random weird things, that land Gono this spot. I'm glad that Gono has gone back to Japan to fight but much like King Mo, I wish that he was fighting in DREAM because the production values are much better and could only add to the creativeness of his entrances and personality. By the way, what's your favorite Gono entrance of all time?



2.) Genki Sudo

I couldn't create this list and not include the "Master of the Entrance." Whether it's an Alien, Ghost buster-looking thing, Bucket-head, or just random weird guy, Genki Sodu is your guy when it comes to creating and buzz-worthy entrance. While the guy is beyond the most creative entertainer in MMA‘s history, he's also a pretty good fighter as well. Genki's fighting style was so confusing to most that he would win the fight mentally in the first few minutes. After all the guy is a Samurai and does hold a submission victory over Nate Marquardt. With his last fight taking place in 2006, it's still unknown when Sudo will fight again, but I would think that a return to the UFC, or at least to DREAM, would be in the cards. A lot of the newer MMA fans won't recognize the name and that's a huge shame, but that's what Youtube and file sharing are for, youngsters. My favorite Sudo fight is obviously the showdown with Butterbean back at K-1 Premium 2003 Dynamite!!



1.) Kazushi Sakuraba

There is no one who could top this list above Sakuraba. Whether it was his always entertaining weigh-in outfits, his carefully crafted entrances, or his never-say-die attitude, no one tops Sakuraba when it comes to being MMA's Best Showman. To be truthful, most consider Sakuraba to be the Greatest MMA Fighter of All Time. MMA wouldn't have guys like Gono, Machida, Sudo, or countless others if it weren't for Sakuraba. The multiple masks that he wears to the ring are a celebration of his love and duty to professional wrestling. It's a real shame that Saku hasn't made his way to the UFC (outside of those previous UFC events in Japan), but his true home will always be in the Land of the Rising Sun. The TUF generation has missed out on seeing MMA's Greatest Showman in his legendary battles with the Gracies, Rampage Jackson, or even Wandy Silva.

So for better or worse, there is the list of the Top 10 Best Showmen in MMA's History. While I hesitate to ask who all of you think should be included, I'm eager to see who you want on this list. I just ask that you put some thought into it before posting a comment. I also appreciate you coming back and checking out my article after my two week absence. I will return next week with a new Top 10 and you're also free to put your suggestions for that article below. Remember to support your local MMA and keep your tapping hand strong.