The 411 MMA Top 5 10.26.09: Week Seventeen Best PRIDE Fighters
Posted by Larry Csonka on 10.26.2009
From Fedor Emelianenko, Mirko Cro Cop and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to Kazushi Sakuraba, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Dan Henderson, the 411 MMA writers say that these are some of the best PRIDE fighters ever! Check out the full column to see what PRIDE fighters made the list and why!
Welcome:
Welcome back to the MMA Top 5! What we are going to is take a topic each week and all the writers here on 411 MMA will have the ability to give us their Top 5 on said topic, plus up to three honorable mentions. At the end, based on where all of these topics rank on people's list, we will create an overall Top 5 list. It's highly non-official and final.
This week's topic is
BEST PRIDE FIGHTERS!
Jeremy Lambert
5. Takanori Gomi - The Bushido Kid and the only PRIDE Lightweight champion in company history. In 11 Bushido fights, Gomi only lost once and that would be his only career PRIDE loss (thanks to Nick Diaz smoking too much). He was considered the best Lightweight in the world during his PRIDE run. On top of that, Gomi was loved by the Japanese fans due to his exciting fights and personality.
4. Kazushi Sakuraba - Probably the most loved fighter in Japanese history. Sakuraba debuted at PRIDE 2 in 1998 and was with the company until the end of 2005 while racking up 18 wins along the way. He never won a major title or tournament and he had his fair share of losses but he was brought the famed fighting spirit. His 90-minute battle with Royce Gracie is an all time historic fight and he's a legend not only in PRIDE but in MMA.
3. Fedor Emelianenko - We all know what Fedor did during his PRIDE run. He captured the PRIDE Heavyweight title in just his third fight, he never truly lost the belt, and he never truly lost a fight in the organization. He beat top Heavyweights like Antonio Nogueira (twice), Mirko "Cro Cop", Heath Herring, and others. He ended his PRIDE career with a string of victories over less than stellar competition and he was never fully embraced by the Japanese audience but he was still the best fighter to ever step foot in the PRIDE ring.
2. Mirko "Cro Cop" - He was never the best Heavyweight in the organization but he was the most feared striker during his PRIDE run and he was one of the few non-Japanese fighters who Japan embraced with open arms. He won 17 fights in PRIDE with many of them coming by brutal knockout, most notably his infamous head kick. He capped off his PRIDE career by winning the last ever PRIDE GP, which was the Open Weight GP in 2006. He may have never been the best but he was one of the most loved and feared.
1. Wanderlei Silva - For many years, Wanderlei Silva was the face of the PRIDE organization. From his trademark wristroll and staredown to his brutal knockouts of fighters like Sakuraba and Jackson, no one was more associated with PRIDE than Wanderlei Silva. He debuted at PRIDE 7 in 1999 and lasted all the way to PRIDE 33 in 2007. He was the first ever PRIDE Middleweight champion, he defended the title four times, he won 22 fights in the PRIDE ring, he won the 2003 Middleweight GP, and he was a hero in Japan. When you think PRIDE, you have to think Wanderlei Silva.
Samer Kadi
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Mirko Cro Cop - One of the most devastating strikers in MMA history made his name in PRIDE with one of the best highlight reels any fighter could possibly have. His run at the 2006 OWGP was just the icing on the cake.
Takanori Gomi - Another knockout machine with an awesome highlight reel, Gomi was one of the most exciting fighters in the world to watch in his prime.
Kazushi Sakuraba - One of the most exciting and entertaining fighters of all time. It's sad to see many of the newer fans not appreciating Sakuraba and what he's done for the sport. Before PRIDE's retarded matchmaking turning him into a punching bag for the likes of Mirko Cro Cop, Ricardo Arona and Wanderlei Silva (seriously they were scheduled to face a FOURTH time at Shockwave 2004 before Sakuraba got injured), "The IQ wrestler" was turning heads with one sublime performance after another. His battles with the Gracies are stuff of legend, and his comeback against Smirnovas (despite not taking place in PRIDE) is one of the most memorable in this sport's young history.
5. Shogun Rua - If it wasn't for a freak injury against Mark Coleman, Shogun would have went undefeated in PRIDE, with a record of 12-0, finishing all but two of his fights (one of those being the legendary battle with Rogerio Nogueira). Shogun's run at the 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix - toppling the likes of Nogueira, Overeem, Rampage and Arona - is one of the most impressive accomplishments in MMA. After that run, Shogun technically became the uncrowned PRIDE middleweight champion, although he would never fight for the title due to his teammate Wanderlei Silva holding the belt.
4. Minotauro Nogueira - Two losses to Fedor might overshadow some of Nog's accomplishments in PRIDE in the eyes of some fans, but that is disrespectful to someone like Nogueira. Simply put, Minotauro is responsible for more memorable bouts than anyone in PRIDE (or MMA) history. You don't believe me? Let's count: Heath Herring (I and II), Bob Sapp, Mirko Cro Cop, Fedor (the first fight where he took an inhuman amount of punishment), Barnett (the first fight being the best heavyweight battle ever in my opinion) and Dan Henderson. Add to that Nog being the first heavyweight champion in PRIDE as well as the interim heavyweight champ a few years later with his victory over Cro Cop, and you're looking at a true MMA legend.
3. Dan Henderson - What else can be said about the only man in MMA to ever hold two title belts in two different weight classes at the same time? Dan Henderson was the jack of all trades in PRIDE. He competed at heavyweight, light heavyweight and middleweight, with huge success. Had it not been for PRIDE's dissolution in 2007, which prevented Henderson from enjoying a long successful middleweight (205 lbs) title run, Dan Henderson would have been #1 on this list.
2. Fedor Emelianenko - Ok before anyone gets on my back, Fedor is without a doubt the BEST fighter out of PRIDE. With that said, whether his fans like to admit it or not, Fedor's influence and popularity in Japan were not on par with his accomplishments. Yes he was popular, and he certainly was one of the biggest stars in PRIDE, but he never managed to reach the level of popularity of the likes of Wanderlei Silva or Mirko Cro Cop. But make no mistake about it, Fedor's unbeaten run in PRIDE will be very hard to match by anyone in any organization. Who could forget his comeback (if you can call it that) against Kevin Randleman after being dumped on his head, or his choke out of Fujita after nearly getting knocked out. There's no fighter in the world with Fedor's composure. His ridiculous domination over the likes of Nogueira, Cro Cop and Heath Herring (back when he was still a top heavyweight) makes him without a doubt the greatest heavyweight (if not fighter) of all time.
1. Wanderlei Silva - What sets Wanderlei apart from the rest? He had it all: Unlike Shogun, he won the title. Unlike Minotauro, he won a Grand Prix. Unlike Dan Henderson, he almost always finished fights. Unlike Fedor, Wanderlei was the top star in PRIDE (with the exception of maybe Sakuraba, whom Silva defeated three times). He dominated the middleweight division from 2000 till 2005, going undefeated in 21 showings until a questionable decision loss to Mark Hunt. He holds the record for most PRIDE victories and is widely considered one of the most (if not the most) exciting fighter in MMA.
Patrick Mullin
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Mirko Crocop Filipovic - A long and successful career in PRIDE was highlighted by his 2006 Open Weight GP tournament win.
Takanori Gomi - Great fighter but was never able to retain his momentum when on a streak.
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua - A 12-1 PRIDE record led to him being touted as the top 205er in the world.
5. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Before there was Fedor, there was Minotauro. Big Nog showed the PRIDE and MMA world what world class heavyweight BJJ looked like in his wins against Mark Coleman, Dan Henderson, Ricco Rodriguez of the UFC, and in his last PRIDE bout avenging a win against Josh Barnett. Even if he didn't always submit his man his constant submission attempts usually broke them mentally and he would win a decision. His comeback submission victory against Crocop and his David and Goliath like triumph over Bob Sapp are still talked about with awe and excitement to this day. As the first PRIDE heavyweight champion, the only man whom he faced and could not beat in PRIDE was Fedor.
4. Kazushi Sakuraba - I don't know if there's a fighter more synonymous with the PRIDE organization than this man. A natural 170 pounder at the start of his career, Sakuraba regularly fought and beat 185 and 205 pounders. While making history by beating Royce, Renzo, Ryan, and Royler Gracie, Sakuraba attracted a huge following for his pro wrestling theatrics and vaunted kimura. He also defeated Rampage Jackson, Kevin Randleman, Ken Shamrock, and Vitor Belfort. While not the most consistent fighter, his level of success against bigger men cannot be denied and the only thing missing on his HOF career is a title belt.
3. Dan Henderson - Can you name the only fighter to simultaneously hold the championships of two weight divisions in one of the major organizations? If you answered Dan Henderson you'd be right. Henderson won the first and only PRIDE welterweight Grand Prix to become the first and only PRIDE welterweight champion. To complement that honor, he moved up in weight to challenge Wanderlei Silva for the middleweight championship and knocked him out with his left hand after breaking his right hand. Add to that victories over Murilo Bustamante, Vitor Belfort, Ninja Rua, Renzo Gracie, and you've got one of the great PRIDE runs of all time.
2. Wanderlei Silva - Perhaps the biggest fan favorite of all time is the man who reigned as PRIDE Middleweight champion for six years. The man known as "The Axe Murderer" ran roughshod over PRIDE's 205 pound division with victories over Kazushi Sakuraba (3x), Rampage Jackson (2x), Dan Henderson, Hidehiko Yoshida (2x), and Ricardo Arona. He even challenged heavyweights for kicks. Silva's reign as Middleweight champion included winning the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix, and never losing a match at 205 pounds under pure PRIDE rules. Were it not for his unsuccessful challenges of heavyweights and his losses to Dan Henderson and Ricardo Arona, he'd likely be number one.
1. Fedor Emelianenko - He never lost in a PRIDE ring. He beat everyone he faced in a PRIDE ring while reigning as heavyweight champion. Two victories over Minotauro Nogueira, dispelling the myth of Crocop, juiced up Hammer House teammates Coleman and Randleman, the guy was just too good to lose. He was hit with a German suplex by Randleman that would have made Karl Gotch stand up and came back to submit him just a few moments after. When rocked for the only time in his PRIDE career off of a right hand from Fujita, he immediately took him down and submitted him. His dominance and unblemished PRIDE record is the measuring stick for levels of success in PRIDE.
Daniel Bonnizzio
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Kazushi Sakuraba - The IQ Wrestler himself. The only reason he's not higher? No title win, no GP win.
Cro Cop - The 2006 PRIDE Openweight GP winner, Mirko Filipovic made his left high kick famed here and the saying haunted the heavyweight division forever after: Right leg hospital, left leg cemetery.
5. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria - The first ever PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, the first ever champion of any kind in PRIDE FC, and the first and only man to hold a PRIDE FC Championship in PRIDE and a UFC Championship in the UFC. Rodrigo made his name known here in this promotion, taking punishment that would make a lesser man cry, such as the famous piledriver from Bob Sapp. Rivaled only by one man as the greatest PRIDE Heavyweight of all time, Rodrigo took on the cream of the big boy crop and joins the people on this list as the greatest PRIDE fighters of all time.
4. Shogun Rua - Shogun was the consensus top 205 pounder in the world following his tear through the 2005 Middleweight GP, and upon winning was looked at as the greatest in the world. Only losing in PRIDE from a freak takedown that should have been ruled a NC in my book, he beat the best of the best and looked like a beast doing it. Named as the 'successor' to the Axe Murderer's throne atop the division, the only thing lacking from his PRIDE career was winning a championship belt and defending it.
3. Dan Henderson - If the only thing lacking from Shogun's career was a title win, then Dan's career is twice as complete. The only multiple-weight-class champion in a major MMA organization, being the first and only PRIDE Welterweight Champion and beating Wanderlei Silva with a vicious left hook after he broke his trademark right hand bomb, he secured his place in the annals of Japanese MMA with wins over legends such as Big Nog, Vitor Belfort, Ninja Rua, and the aforementioned Wanderlei Silva, the two-time Olympian holds a rightful place in this list.
2. Wanderlei Silva - From 2000 until 2007, there was one name you would say was synonymous with PRIDE Fighting Championships: The Axe Murderer, Wanderlei Silva. Never having lost in a pure PRIDE rules fight at 205 lbs and being the first PRIDE Middleweight Champion, he put on the savage shows and entertaining fights with all comers and never was accused of padding records. Undefeated in the organization from 2000 until 2004 over a span of 17 fights, he made his bones and name in PRIDE and is a great PRIDE fighter.
1. Fedor Emelianenko - The Last Emperor himself, Fedor never lost in his entire PRIDE run. He manhandled the dominating Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria on two separate occasions, he won the PRIDE HW championship along with the PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight GP, he survived the Randleplex, he made Mirko his bitch, and he did it all while being the same quiet, Russian monster he is today. Fedor is the single greatest PRIDE fighter of all time.
Jonathan Solomon
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - The big man would have been king if it were not for Fedor.
Shogun Rua - He was so entertaining to watch because he threw so many strikes and most landed..
5. Takanori Gomi - For a time there, many considered him the best lightweight in the world. He knocked out Ralph Gracie in six seconds, the quickest KO in company history. From his PRIDE debut to his first loss, he was on a ten fight winning streak. He won the 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix and the lightweight championship. He avenged his first PRIDE loss by beating Marcus Aurelio in his first and only title defense. Other wins included Tatsuya Kawajiri, Mitsuhiro Ishida, Jens Pulver and Luiz Azeredo among others. His PRIDE career certainly ended on a puff of smoke as he originally was submitted by Nick Diaz in Las Vegas. However, Diaz was found to have smoked marijuana prior and the result was changed to a 'No Contest.' Technically, Gomi's only PRIDE defeat came at the hands of Aurelio.
4. Fedor Emelianenko - The man beat almost every name in PRIDE. He was undefeated in PRIDE. He stopped Rodrigo Nogueira not once, but twice. He beat Cro Cop when the organization was ready to crown a new champion. Fedor ended his PRIDE run with three consecutive wins by submission over Zulu, Mark Coleman and Mark Hunt. Perhaps the most danger Fedor was in during this run was the dangerous suplex from Kevin Randleman. Thankfully, Fedor tucked his head and recovered quickly to win by submission. As far as championships, Fedor was THE heavyweight champion and won the 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix.
3. Wanderlei Silva - Well, they don't call the guy the Axe Murderer for nothing. People don't claim his body is breaking down for the fun of it, because this man was involved in wars in PRIDE. Look at his record from PRIDE 12 through PRIDE 19...all wins by KO or TKO safe for a decision victory over Dan Henderson. He knocked Sakuraba loopy twice and won the middleweight championship in the process. He did not lose the belt for nearly six years. Just ask Rampage Jackson (when he's not in front of a camera) how he felt about Silva in PRIDE, VICIOUS! Silva won the 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix and for whatever reason fought at heavyweight against Cro Cop and suffered the same fate as many other, doom by head kick. Silva was a beast in PRIDE and perhaps the most dangerous fighter of them all with his wild Chute Box training.
2. Mirko Cro Cop - Next to my number one selection, Cro Cop was arguably the second most beloved PRIDE fighter amongst the Japanese fans. After a long kickboxing career, he made his PRIDE debut with back-to-back draws against Nobuhiko Takada and Wanderlei Silva. Then he went on a streak of knocking out four of his next five opponents including Sakuraba, Heath Herring, Igor Vovchanchyn and Dos friggin' Caras Jr. of all people. Cro Cop won the 2006 Open Weight GP with wins over Minowaman, Hidehiko Yoshida, Wanderlei and Josh Barnett (the latter two on the same night). Fedor Emelianenko foiled his quest for the heavyweight championship, but Cro Cop was as exciting a fighter in PRIDE as any other.
1. Kazushi Sakuraba - Without the Gracie Hunter, who knows how PRIDE would have developed. First he forces Royler Gracie to stop with a submission. Then he fights for OVER AN HOUR against Royce Gracie and forces the Gracie clan to throw in the towel. Then he hooks Renzo Gracie in a kimura just like Royler. The last Gracie fight during PRIDE's prime was a decision win over Ryan Gracie. He won a UFC tournament and has wins over Vitor Belfort, Carlos Newton, Guy Mezger, Rampage Jackson, Kevin Randleman, Ken Shamrock, Minowaman, and others. Plus, with his pro wrestling background, how could you not enjoy his entertaining antics in the ring and before the fights. Legendary!
Jeffrey Harris
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Takanori Gomi - Gomi was one of the hottest lightweights and fighters on the freaking planet when he was in Pride. Gomi was out of the solar system getting huge wins over people like former UFC lightweight champ Jens Pulver and then going on to beat Hayato Sakurai to become Pride's first and only lightweight champion. Gomi's run to the top was amazing, but after getting there his motivation seemed to wane unfortunately.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson - Jackson shocked the world with his 2003 Pride MW GP performance and knocking out the UFC's top fighter, Chuck Liddell. Jackson would lose his two biggest fights in Pride to Wanderlei Silva, but he more than made a name for himself with his impressive fights and performances as well as his ability to knock guys out with a powerbomb like in the Arona fight, still one of the greatest MMA finishes of all time. Jackson would go on to become a champion and even bigger star in the US after fighting for the UFC.
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic - Cro Cop's striking and kicks in Pride were an absolute death sentence. Cro Cop was most definitely one of Pride's top guys and fighters. He experienced some disappointing losses like the Randleman fight, the title fight with Fedor, or where he didn't seem to really even show up to fight at all like in the Mark Hunt fight. Cro Cop would ultimately come back and have a strong 2006, winning the Openweight Grand Prix. Unfortunately, it was after that Cro Cop's MMA career went downhill along with his seeming fighting spirit as well.
5. Maurico "Shogun" Rua - Shogun breaking out and beating everyone as the emerging light heavyweight star in Pride was mind-boggling. Shogun's performance throughout the 2005 Pride MW GP was out of this world to watch, from overwhelming and beating the puss out of Jackson, to having an absolute war with Little Nog, to knocking out and beating both Alistair Overeem and Ricardo Arona all in one night. Shogun ended his Pride run with a record of 12-1, his sole loss attributed to Mark Coleman after breaking his arm from a takedown. Shogun came back in the same year and won several more fights. Shogun could now be a fight away from once again proving that he is the absolute greatest of all time yet again.
4. Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira - Minotauro became the first heavyweight champion in Pride and is one of the few men to win a title in both Pride and the UFC. Nogueira's toughness and composure in overwhelming odds and after suffering such huge hits was amazing. Bob Sapp might be a joke now, but to witness those vicious displays of dropping Nog on his head only for Nog to come back and submit Sapp will be talked about and remembered for years. Even when Nogueira lost in Pride, he was never truly finished or beaten.
3. Fedor Emelianenko - The issue with some of the questionable fights and opponents Fedor took in Pride not withstanding, Fedor's title run and career in the company was nothing short of impressive and outstanding. Fedor who has just this very nice, easygoing, and unassuming demeanor outside the ring would step into a Pride ring and would become an absolute unbeatable, unstoppable force. Fedor could bash you into unconsciousness but adding more to his danger submit you. Even after Kevin Randleman put Fedor on the end of one of the nastiest looking MMA takedowns in the history of history, Fedor kept his cool and reacted simply and submitted Randleman. Even the guys who went the distance with Fedor in Pride seemingly did little to harm him either. In Pride, Fedor wasn't in the ring with you, you were in the ring with him.
2. Wanderlei Silva - Silva's career in Pride was amazing to watch unfold. Be it the amazing display at the 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix or his historic title run, not to mention his two knockout victories over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. At times Silva looked unbeatable in Pride, but whenever Silva was fighting you were pretty much guaranteed a great battle.
1. Dan Henderson - Who else has won and held two titles in two weight classes simultaneously in the history of MMA? Check the records because that one guy is Dan freaking Henderson. Dan finished his run in Pride at 13-5 and he ended that run with an exclamation point by ending the legendary Pride Middleweight title run of Wanderlei Silva with a knockout. Dan came back from a submission loss to Rogerio Nogueira in the 2005 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix to compete in the Welterweight Grand Prix later in the same year. In one night he knocked out both Ryo Chonan and Akihiro Gono to advance to the finals and later defeated Murilo Bustamante for the second time to become Pride's first welterweight champion. Henderson is always a consummate professional, a true class act, and one of the toughest fighters of all time.
Dan Plunkett
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Minotauro Nogueira - Had there never been a Fedor Emelianenko, Minotauro would probably be number 1 on this list.
Shogun Rua - Exploded onto the scene in 2005, going from unranked to the number 1 light heavyweight in the world in little more than four months.
Mirko Cro Cop - One head kick away (Fedor fight) from making this list.
5. Takanori Gomi - Nobody in the history of MMA has done in the lightweight division what Takanori Gomi has. His (official) PRIDE record only has one loss on it, which was avenged later in the same year. Gomi displayed knockout power not typically seen in lightweight fighters in his victories over Jens Pulver, Luiz Azeredo, and Hayato Sakurai.
4. Dan Henderson - Henderson's PRIDE career was filled with ups and downs, but mostly the former. In his PRIDE debut, Henderson was defeated by Wanderlei Silva. Then Henderson won three in a row, one of the a knockout win over Renze Gracie, before dropping a decision to Ricardo Arona. At PRIDE 24, Henderson lost to Minotauro Nogueira by armbar in the rematch of a 2000 fight Henderson won. After that, Henderson won four fights in a row, including a quick victory over Murilo Bustamante, before losing to Minotoro Nogueira by armbar. It was after that fight Henderson finally moved down to his rightful weight class, 183 pounds. Dan won the Pride Welterweight Grand Prix, and was awarded the PRIDE Welterweight Championship. Less than a year later, Henderson capped off his PRIDE career in stunning fashion, knocking out Wanderlei Silva to win the PRIDE Middleweight Championship.
3. Kazushi Sakuraba - Kazushi Sakuraba was PRIDE. His showmanship in his fighting style was extremely fun to watch. At PRIDE 8, Sakuraba defeated Royler Gracie by submission. Later, he defeated Royce Gracie in a 90 minute marathon of a fight and a few months after broke Renzo Gracie's arm. As a result of these fights, Sakuraba became known as the "Gracie Hunter," though a bout against the biggest game out there, Rickson Gracie, sadly never came to fruition.
2. Wanderlei Silva - The most aggressive, intimidating, and violent fighter in PRIDE history. For more than six years, "The Axe Murderer" ruled the PRIDE middleweight division. His knockout victories over Kazushi Sakuraba, Quinton Jackson, Guy Mezger, Kazuyuki Fujita, and Yuki Kondo among others will forever live in MMA lore.
1. Fedor Emelianenko - He may not have been the most influential fighter to PRIDE's success, but Fedor is clearly the best fighter in PRIDE history. "The Last Emperor" entered PRIDE in 2002 against skyscraper Semmy Schilt, winning by decision. He then fought Heath Herring for the right to take on heavyweight champ Minotauro Nogueira at PRIDE 23. Believe it or not, Fedor was the underdog against Herring, who held victories over Igor Vovchanchyn, Mark Kerr, and Tom Erikson. After 10 minutes of fighting, the doctor stopped the fight due to the punishment Fedor was inflicting to Herring. Fedor entered the ring against Minotauro once again as the underdog. Though once again he unleashed a brutal assault of ground and pound, earning him a dominating decision victory and in turn the PRIDE Heavyweight Title. He never looked back.
Over the next four years, Fedor defeated the top heavyweights PRIDE had to offer, defeating Mark Coleman twice, Kazuyuki Fujita, Kevin Randleman, Minotauro Nogueira, Mark Hunt, and Mirko Cro Cop. Along the way, he won the 2004 heavyweight grand prix, had a record of 11-0-1, and finished all but two of his opponents. In his 6+ years in PRIDE, Emelianenko never lost, and built an invincible reputation that he still carries today.
AND 411's BEST PRIDE FIGHTERS ARE
5. Mirko Cro Cop 8pts.
4. Kazushi Sakuraba 12pts.
3. Dan Henderson 16pts.
2. Fedor Emelianenko - 27pts.
1. Wanderlei Silva 29pts.
Come back next week for another edition of the MMA Top 5~!
Posted By: Diavo (Guest) on October 26, 2009 at 07:50 AM
No love for Big Nog? That sucks, 1st Pride HW champ, always a better fighter than Cro Cop. He was the #2 HW in Pride (behind Fedor).
Saku at # 4 is too low, he carried Pride in the early days, when he was running through the Gracie's, Belfort, Goes, White, Newton etc. Without a home-grown superstar that could win Pride wouldn't have lasted long enough for guys like Fedor, Hendo, Wand. & Cro Cop to come in & make their mark.
As much as I love Wanderlei, Fedor never lost in Pride so he should be #1
Posted By: Guest#7639 (Guest) on October 26, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Anyone but Fedor at the top is a joke.
Posted By: Diavo (Guest) on October 26, 2009 at 07:50 AM
you clearly have no idea what your talking about.
Great list guys
Posted By: i should have your job (Guest) on October 26, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Fedor Obviously at top
hendo / spider silva
Posted By: Guest#2839 (Guest) on October 26, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Ha ha, "He ended his PRIDE career with a string of victories over less than stellar competition and he was never fully embraced by the Japanese audience but he was still the best fighter to ever step foot in the PRIDE ring. " And you ranked him as the third best fighter? And Jonathon, ranking Cro Cop two spots above Fedor? Did you guys read the title of the article you were writing? This week's topic is "Best Pride Fighters". "Ok before anyone gets on my back, Fedor is without a doubt the BEST fighter out of PRIDE" What is wrong with you guys?
Posted By: Tommy Boy (Guest) on October 26, 2009 at 11:14 PM
You guys should seriously think about renaming the article. Most popular pride fighters? Most influential pride fighters? I don't know, looks like two different top five lists squashed together.
Posted By: Tommy Boy (Guest) on October 26, 2009 at 11:18 PM
This week's topic is "Best Pride Fighters". "Ok before anyone gets on my back, Fedor is without a doubt the BEST fighter out of PRIDE" What is wrong with you guys?
Posted By: Tommy Boy (Guest) on October 26, 2009 at 11:14 PM
In my defense, when we made the article, it was called "TOP PRIDE fighters" as opposed to "BEST"..
Which is why my statement sounds a little odd now..
Posted By: Samer Kadi (Registered) on October 27, 2009 at 12:37 PM
