The 411 MMA Top 5 02.08.10: Week 28 – Favorite Non-UFC Fighters

Posted by Larry Csonka on 02.08.2010

From Nick Diaz and Dan Henderson to King Mo and Gegard Mousasi, the 411 MMA writers share who their favorite non-UFC fighters are! Check out the full column to see which 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, like WAMMA.


And now…

411's FAVORITE NON-UFC FIGHTERS!



Jeremy Lambert

5. KING MO - I love me some KING MO. He might be new to MMA but he's already won my heart just with his personality. He's one of the most charismatic fighters in all of MMA and it appears that he has a bright future ahead of him as a fighter. Team GDP is taking over.

4. Miguel Torres - I like any fighter who is constantly active and there is no better description of Miguel Torres. He's never in a boring fight because of his activity and he pushes his opponents to be better. If you follow the guy on twitter then you'll know that he has a great personality as well and is a sneaky funny guy.

3. Donald Cerrone - Like Miguel Torres, Cerrone is nothing if not active. Whether he's on his feet or on the ground, Cerrone is constantly throwing strikes or submissions and never gets tired of doing so. He's got the personality of a guy who just loves to fight and those are the type of guys I enjoy.

2. Nick Diaz - I'm a fan of Diaz just because he speaks his mind. It's not a gimmick with Diaz and he doesn't try to be anyone but himself whether you like or not. Everything he says is funny to me just because of how he delivers it. Plus how can I not like a guy that says, "come on bitch" in the middle of a fight? I also enjoy his fights as he's rarely in a boring fight and he's always active.

1. Urijah Faber - Faber isn't just one of my favorite non-UFC fighters, he's one of my favorite fighters in any organization. The one thing I love the most about Faber is his "happy party" attitude that it evident before and after everyone one of his fights. Add to that that he's a very exciting fighter who always puts on a show and it's hard not to like the guy. Now if he'd just lose those cornrows.

---

Jonathan Solomon

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Joachim Hansen - He always comes to fight and can put on a show with his balls to the wall style.

Gilbert Melendez - He's improved a lot and can match up well against most opposing lightweights.

Jacare Souza - He looked as good as he ever has when he defeated Matt Lindland and if he can improve his striking game even more, WOW.


5. Sakuraba - This is an odd pick for me because as much as I love to watch the legendary Sakuraba compete, part of me would rather he retire and not mangle his health anymore. As long as he continues to fight, he will remain one of the more entertaining men in the sport and is THE man when it comes to Japanese MMA. He may be at the latter end of his career but never has it been a boring road.

4. Gegard Mousasi - I do not have the numbers in front of me but I would assume he is the youngest fighter on my list. He may also be as complete a fighter as Fedor and Diaz. Mousasi has striking skills and grappling skills that make him a terror to match-up with. Mousasi started as a middleweight, is now fighting at light heavyweight and has plans to someday move up to heavyweight. It has worked for him so far, so why not?

3. Shinya Aoki - Sure, the guy may be a &*i#@, but he's a hell of a fighter. He always talks and fights like he has a chip on his shoulder. Whatever it is, it certainly drives him to fight like no other. Everyone knows what he will do. There is no guessing game involved, he will try (and likely succeed) in taking the fight to the ground. He has fought just about every major name in Japan's lightweight division and he has beaten them. It's time for him to fight Kawajiri or come to America and take on the Strikeforce 155ers.

2. Nick Diaz - He is perhaps the most honest fighter out there. He is not Tito Ortiz, he is not named Shamrock and he is not a promoter. He is simply a man who loves to train, fight and smoke. Well, two out of three isn't bad. Ironically, since leaving the UFC years ago, he has improved immensely as a fighter. If it were not for a cut, he would still be undefeated since leaving Zuffa, too.

1. Fedor Emelianenko - The best fighter in the history of the sport, how could he not be my favorite non-UFC combatant? He brings it in every fight and can win in any number of ways. That doesn't even include the fact that each of his fights is a happening because of his legendary career.

---

Samer Kadi

5. Kazushi Sakuraba - The Gracie Hunter was one of the reasons I got into MMA. Sakuraba is/was one of the most intelligent and exciting fighters in the world. Many of his losses can be attributed to PRIDE's retard booking where they had him fight guys twice his size. Still, it goes to show you how Sakuraba never backs down from a challenge and is willing to take on anyone. Despite all of his exploits in PRIDE, including his epic battles with the Gracies and a victory over Rampage, it is his miracle comeback win against Smirnovas that I'll remember Sakuraba for the most.

4. Shinya Aoki - I hate some of his drama queen antics but there's no denying the man's talent. Aoki is simply a grappling wizard. He's responsible for some of the most innovative, creative and flat out crazy submissions the MMA world has ever seen. His stand up may be non-existent, but it's a joy to watch Aoki perform on the ground.

3. Jacaré Souza - Speaking of grappling wizards, Jacaré might just be the best one around. The Alligator man is just a fantastic athlete and a terrific fighter. His striking is improving and at this rate, Jacaré is on his way to becoming a legit top five middleweight that could be a headache for anyone to deal with. It's a shame his chin is rather suspect as I feel it may cost him some fights.

2. Gegard Mousasi - Fedor aside, Mousasi may just be the best fighter outside of the Zuffa banner. He's certainly the best light heavyweight outside of the UFC. While striking remains his bread and butter, Mousasi has shown a remarkable willingness to improve his ground game and he never hesitates to take a fight to the mat. At just 25 years of age, the best of Mousasi has yet to come, and he's undoubtedly one of the best prospects in MMA and a potential future (UFC) champion.

1. Andrei Arlovski - In a sport where you're only as good as your last fight, Andrei Arlovski has taken quite a nasty fall, with back to back knockout losses to Fedor and Brett Rogers. With that said, Arlovski is still one of the most talented heavyweights on the planet with some of the best boxing in the division. When he's on his game, his striking can be ridiculously fluid. His chin has always been his downfall, and almost every loss of his is a knockout. Still, I'm hoping "The Pitbull" finds the motivation to become a world champion once more.

---

Larry Csonka

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Kerry Very - She's hot and about 100 times more exciting than hubby Brandon. Yes, I still hate that Tong Po wanna be.

Sakuraba - I love watching him, but at the same time hope he hangs it up soon.

Melvin Manhoef - Dude throws down with reckless abandon, and has sweet gladiator shorts!


5. Joey Villasenor - I think that I like good old "Smokin Joe" more than most. Besides him, I think I was the happiest guy to hear that he got a 4-fightcontract wit Strikeforce. He's a scrapper, fights hard, is never boring and I feel deserved the new contract. WAR VILLASENOR~!

4. Jason "Mayhem" Miller - How do you NOT love this guy. Slap boxing, elaborate entrance, willing to fight monkeys in the cage for the right price; Miller is just a fun guy to watch.

3. Gilbert Melendez - Since his loss to Thomson in their first fight, Melendez has become a new fighter. New skills new work ethic, new momentum and just a new fighter that has become a joy to watch.

2. Gegard Mousasi - I dig Mousasi. Before I lost HDNet due to the evil of Time Warner, I caught him in some M1 fights, and enjoyed those performances. And then I caught him in DREAM, and knew that this was a guy that would deliver entertaining fights and would make me look forward to whatever fight card he may be on.

1. KING MO - King Mo is the shit. What weight division does he fight in? MONEY WEIGHT, that's what weight he fights in. The guy has skills and looks to be constantly improving, he has charisma and is just one of those fighters that makes the sport fun to watch. All hail the King!

---

Daniel Bonnizzio

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Shinya Aoki - Great when he wins but a sore loser. He does have some great highlights though.


5. Gegard Mousasi - Quite possibly the most skilled non-heavyweight outside of the UFC, Mousasi has made a name for himself worldwide recently. His one minute demolition of Babalu, his impressive run through the DREAM Middleweight GP, and his presence in other...odd?... fights has only made him more endearing. I honestly think he has the makings of a true champion (and would give plenty of people nightmares once the gloves are on).

4. Joe Warren - He may not be nearly as tenured as other fighters on these lists but the attitude and sheer badassness he brings to the ring along with his natural talent is awesome. He may have had a setback against Fernandez, but I have a feeling he will have a tremendous showing in the Bellator Featherweight tournament. WAR WARREN.

3. Minowaman - Ikuhisa Minowa - also known as Minowaman - is famous for several things. First, his propensity to fight people much larger than him; the dude often fights with a 30+ pound weight disadvantage - and wins! Second, his trademark ring gear: plain red speedos, red kneepads, and his red and black shoes. Awesome. But, most importantly: the mullet.

2. Nick Diaz - The Stockton boys are known for their personality. Nick Diaz is famous for it. Need any more reason? "He came to my side of the hospital." Classic. Not only is he the guy you love (to hate) but he's also rather skilled at his craft. Not everyone can hop around three different weight classes and do well.

1. Dan Henderson - Eh, he's not under Zuffa contract, bite me. Hendo is famous for being the only man to hold two titles in two classes at one time in a major promotion. He's also famous for having a wicked right hand, killer wrestling, and a chin that makes Wolverine jealous. Sure he may have the overall charisma of a dusty broom but if you piss him off... well, just ask Michael Bisping.

---

Jeffrey Harris

5. Gegard Mousasi - Mousasi quietly built a name for himself outside the US until he debuted in Strikeforce by destroying Babalu. He followed it up by beating Sokoudjou. And the dude is still in his 20's. Mousasi's potential while being as good as he already is right now is absolutely frightening.

4. Joe Warren - Warren may still be an MMA rookie but had two of the most impressive first ever wins you can possibly have at his level. Warren debuted by beating a former WEC Bantamweight champion. Than he beat the fan favorite in the legendary Kid Yamamoto. Warren's now making an ambitious bid for the Bellator and DREAM featherweight crowns in 2010 and I can't be more excited.

3. Nick Diaz - Diaz has personal issues with his worship of the leaf. He's not a very good self-promoter and at times he has a bad attitude, but boy is he fun to watch. Diaz's unorthodox standup is incredibly impressive in how he dismantled the likes of Frank Shamrock, Scott Smith, and Marius Zaromskis in consecutive fights. While sometimes I find Diaz's attitude off-putting, I also sometimes find it refreshing that he doesn't care about any of the BS. He just wants to fight. People are on the planet, and they should be able to fight each other if they want according to Diaz. Who am I to disagree? Certainly not Pat Lawlor.

2. Gilbert Melendez - Melendez is IMHO proven himself as a top 10 lightweight in the world at the moment. He's now once again the undisputed lightweight champion of Strikeforce, and he's beaten the only two people he ever lost to, which were decision losses. Melendez also even beat top Japanese MMA fighter, Kawajiri, in 2006. Check out my Pride Shockwave 2006 DVD review and then go out and buy it.

1. Dan Henderson - Well considering that most of Hendo's fights are outside of the UFC and he's not fighting in the UFC right now, here we go. There's only one man in the history of MMA that's held 2 titles in two weight classes simultaneously and that's Dan Henderson. Hendo's unfortunately left the UFC but he has some exciting matchups to look forward to in Strikeforce in Jake Shields and possibly even Mousasi depending on what happens in the Shields fight. Hendo is one of the toughest and best fighters of all time and deserves more recognition.

---

Scott Kuczkowski

5. Melvin Manhoef - A freakin' wrecking machine in almost every fight. The guy is a beast and even though he doesn't know how to spell "ground game", he's more than impressive in every outing. He might not always win, but he's always destructive (even in defeat). How can you not like someone like that?

4. Jason "Mayhem" Miller - I have a thing for dancing schoolgirls, and apparently so does Mayhem. A ground wizard and one of the most experienced fighters in the game, Mayhem is always in the fight. He's gone the distance with GSP and Shields, so you know he's tough as nails. Plus, even if his fight is a stinker, his entrance should make up for it.

3. Joey Villasenor - I've always liked Villasenor because the guy is tough as nails and I think he gets forgotten when folks talk about top Middleweights. He's never had a boring fight and he's always a dangerous contender. I'd like to see him in the UFC, but I was glad to hear he was picked up for four more fights with Strikeforce.

2. Jake Shields - Jake Shields doesn't get any respect. The guy is probably the best grappler in the entire Strikeforce organization, but the fact that he sticks to his gameplan and uses his strength makes folks dislike him. He might not always be the most exciting fighter, but he gets it done and rarely walks away the loser.

1. Murilo "Ninja" Rua - The "Ninja" people see fight now isn't my favorite; my favorite was the guy in Pride who fought everyone and anyone and never quit. Whether he was getting his ass kicked as a small heavyweight or going to war with the guys more his size, Ninja was someone you could guarantee would always bring the fight to his opponent. He's kind of slowed down and let himself go now, but if you watch him on some of the old Pride shows, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

---

AND 411's FAVORITE NON-UFC FIGHTERS ARE…




T4. King Mo– 6pts.




T4. Gilbert Melendez – 6pts.




3. Dan Henderson – 10pts.




2. Gegard Mousasi – 12pts.




1. Nick Diaz – 15pts.


TWITTER

Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it…TO CSONKA'S TWITTER!

http://www.twitter.com/411wrestling
http://www.twitter.com/411moviestv
http://www.twitter.com/411music
http://www.twitter.com/411games
http://www.twitter.com/411mma