Sho's Top 25 Favorite MMA Fighter Countdown

[SHOGUN]

#6: Kazushi "The Gracie Hunter" Sakuraba​

First sight: PRIDE - PRIDE 3

The face of Japanese MMA. Enough said. When people think of MMA in Japan, nine times out of ten they think of this man. The guy is a legend on the short list when it comes to discussions of GOAT. One of the greatest personalities in the sport, an absolute showman who fights fearless and is incredibly cerebral. My goodness has this guy taken some punishment during his career. For as many brilliant wins, he's had plenty of brutal defeats - his fight against Ricardo Arona immediately jumps to mind, but that is a nature of the game when you're routinely fighting larger opponents. Sakuraba has too many classics to his name, and even now at 40 years he still continues to amaze and inspire. His submission victory over Zelg Galesic last year was an amazing testament of his will and toughness. Like Shibata, I definitely feel that he should be higher on my list, but at this point in my list it's like splitting hairs between the last few.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBtvfATml1s]YouTube - Superman: A tribute to Kazushi Sakuraba[/ame]

 

[SHOGUN]

#5: Yoshihiro Akiyama​

First sight: K-1 - Hero's 1

Sexyama is a renaissance man who just happens to be a fighter. Model, pop star, company spokesperson, surfer and professional fighter. The guy does it all with flair, charisma and supreme fashion sense. He also has one of the best entrances in MMA. Men want to be him, and women want to be with him. He himself compared his popularity in Asia to the late Michael Jackson - at least until the Sakuraba controversy. While it sounds outlandish initially, stadiums sell out in Korea just to hear him sing. As a fighter, he's extremely composed, has crisp boxing (which is rare from Japanese fighters) and fights with a swagger. He might be a better fit for WW at the end of the day, but I think he'll still make an impact in the title run at MW.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfCdHFI3-XE]YouTube - Yoshihiro Akiyama's Sexy Highlight Reel[/ame]

 

[SHOGUN]

#4: Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett​

First sight: PRIDE - Shockwave 2005

The anti-thesis of Georges St. Pierre. He's cocky, doesn't take the sport seriously at all, and constantly in and out of jail - but I would drop $60 without hesitation just for the opportunity to see him fight. Win or lose, you are bound to see something interesting every time you see him. The frustrating thing about Bennett is that he oozes talent, he simply doesn't give a damn enough to capitalize on it. He's been trying to change his life around and taking the sport seriously (or so he says) this year and we will see this June. My favorite Bennett highlight was when he KO'd the highly touted KJ Noons in his EliteXC debut. I hope that he duplicates that feat again.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssjw8PRdkN8]YouTube - Getting to Know Krazy Horse Charles Bennett[/ame]

 

[SHOGUN]

#3: Hayato "Mach" Sakurai​

First sight: PRIDE - Bushido 9

The "Everytime Champion" is the greatest lightweight fighter I've ever seen. I know that most people say that Penn or Gomi is the best ever, but to me Mach will always be the GOAT. He was incredibly well-rounded and quick. During his first run at lightweight he used to MURDER opponents and maintained that success at welterweight until he a real bad car accident after getting his first loss against Anderson Silva. I still say that car accident robbed some of the best years from him. He had a few forgettable fights at WW and MW, but got his second wind of sorts in 2005. He started training in the US with Matt Hume, got focused and had one hell of run at lightweight during PRIDE. Unfortunately, Mach succumbed to his love for Korean BBQ and REALLY hates to cut weight. He's still a tough fight for anyone at welterweight (when motivated), but there is still so much that he could accomplish at lightweight.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUS4s8nX3BA]YouTube - Hayato "Mach" Sakurai Hyperlight[/ame]

 

[SHOGUN]

#2: Mauricio "Shogun" Rua​

First sight: PRIDE 32 - The Real Deal

Arguably the greatest 205'er to ever live, Shogun Rua has been a BAMF from day one. He came into PRIDE snapping necks and cashing checks with such violence that I had not really seen before at the time. Rua's berserker mentality with his flashy standup combined with the soccer kicks and head stomps was phenomenal. After seeing him dominate in PRIDE in the matter he did at such a young age - his only loss in PRIDE was a freak arm break against Mark Coleman - it was sad and downright confusing to see people jump off the wagon and called him washed up after his loss to Forrest Griffin. However, now that people have finally seen him healthy again after his two knee surgeries, those critics are few and far between. After Shogun beat Machida (either time, take your pick), people were claiming that the 'old' Shogun was back and that couldn't be further from the truth - he's easily a better fighter now than what he was years ago. The younger iteration was sloppy, but utilized his aggressiveness to overwhelm opponents. Shogun now is a lot more controlled and refined in his striking and doesn't take nearly as many shots as he used to, yet he still is able to flip the switch into berserker mode. The scary thing about Rua is that he is younger than Georges St. Pierre and has plenty of room to grow.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C73GBHQtpI]YouTube - Mauricio Shogun Rua HL by Machinemen 2010[/ame]

 

[SHOGUN]

#1: Caol "Uno Shoten" Uno​

First sight: K-1 - Hero's 1

An absolute legend at lightweight and as close to a hero that I have in MMA. A very well-rounded fighter who actually had good standup (an aspect he never got much credit for), but made his name with his top-notch and creative grappling that he also displayed in ADCC and THE CONTENDERS (a submission grappling organization). Not to mention his heart. Uno had heart in spades. I feel that it is an absolute travesty that the first thing that comes to most people's minds is his 11-second KO loss to BJ Penn, but his career was so much more. People forget that he fought Penn to a highly contested draw a year later (I thought he won) and fought a most of the top lightweights at the peak of their careers, even at the tail end of his career. As a result, he has a lot of great fights under his belt. Uno vs. Sato I is a fight that every MMA fan NEEDS in their life and Uno-Penn II, Uno-Hansen, Uno-Ishida are just some of the other great fights in his career that I love. He was dealt a really bad hand in his most recent UFC run, but I hope he continues to fight in Japan. I <3 Uno and you should, too.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1vALIFNsYg]YouTube - Caol Uno (HL) (???) by GoForkYourself[/ame]

BONUS: Here is the classic bout between Caol Uno and Rumina Sato.​

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChNC_-sTz0Y"]YouTube- Caol Uno vs. Rumina Sato 1 - Part One Shooto[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwXMqAtHIYM"]YouTube- Caol Uno vs. Rumina Sato 1 - Part Two shooto[/ame]

 

[Liquidrob]

So Minowa didnt make the top 25?

 

[SHOGUN]

So Minowa didnt make the top 25?

Thought long about it, but nope.

The list was favorite fighters, not favorite superheros.