Hidehiko Yoshida needs a bandwagon

[Sabin]

Hey guys (and girls),

Just wondering, are any of you here fans of Hidehiko Yoshida? He's the Japanese Olympic gold medalist in Judo in 1992 and is something of a national hero there.

He's also a complete class act, displaying an amazing amount of courtesy and respect towards his opponents and the fans in a sport that often seems to draw in competitors who are very full of themselves and look like they just stepped out of prison (at least this seems the case with many American fighters, both in Pride and UFC).

I know his fight against Royce Gracie was a disappointment, but take a look at some of his other accomplishments:

He's defeated Don Frye.
He's defeated Mark Hunt.
He's defeated Timura.
He's defeated Tank (perhaps no longer an impressive victory).
Twice he's fought Wanderlei Silva all the way to a decision, and came close to pulling out a victory each time.

I really think the world of MMA would become more popular and more accepted if there were more fighters who displayed the maturity and class of Yoshida.

Thoughts on this? Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. If I'm not, then feel free to jump on the Yoshida bandwagon. Because he deserves one as much as anyone.

[Mdrnsamurai]

Yoshida was Awesome when he competed in Judo and I guess it carry over into the MMA. Count me in for jumping on the Bandwagon.

Train Hard,

Good Luck, Stay Safe

[danfaggella]

Oh my god, Sabin, you are my BOY. I hate all these company-covered, trash-talking, fresh-from-prison prick fighters.

I beleive that besides Yoshidas amazing fighting prowess, his humility and dignity and intelligence stand out, and he is one of the many reasons I watch more Pride.

He is like Randy, or Saku in the respect that he will not jump up and down after a win claiming to be the best fighter of all time and acting all loud and cocky, he is the man, and I wish more people would stop touting people like Tito and Chuck, and stop respecting simply knockouts and trash talk.

Yoshida is a great judoka and MMA compedator, as well as a dignified and intelligent man, SO rare, and something I'd like to see more of.

[Sabin]

Good to see I'm not the only one who's a Yoshida fan.

I saw Yoshida's first fight against Wanderlei Silva and was immediately impressed by his guts and warrior-spirit.

Later, I saw him doing an interview after his win over Tank, and was impressed by his humility and intelligence.

It's guys like Yoshida who draw me in to MMA and Martial Arts in general. I wish there were more like him, though I realize that from a marketing standpoint it is necessary to have a lot of trash-talking, ego-driven types.

So, can we think of other fighters besides Yoshida who display an honorable attitude? Fedor Emelianenko has always impressed me to a certain degree as well. Who else?

[aseepish]

I'll jump on Yoshida's bandwagon as soon as he can dance as well as Genki Sudo.

[danfaggella]

I'll put Saku and Randy in that group.

Randy has always been respectful and intelligent, and now that he is gone from the UFC I'll expect to see nothing but trash-talk and bragging ceremonies in the UFC. He gives smart answers to questions and can hold conversations about the break-downs of a fight or his future plans without parading himself.

Saku is one of the only fighters I have ever watched who is always calm and collected. Though he is unpredictable and spontaneous, his moves come from his head and not his hormones, he is a cerebral guy who never gets an angry look on his face durring a fight, and respects his opponents when he wins and when he looses, always. His character is what makes me a big fan of his, even more than his fun-to-watch style and creative grappling skill.

Saku is the reason I started grappling. My group of friends still refers to the strait armbar (juji gatame) as the "Sakuraba."

[SamuraiGuy]

Big Nog seems pretty humble and all that too.... plus I like Big Nog.

Randy is an obvious one.

Rich Franklin has always come across as clean cut nice typa guy, not like the general "straight outa prison" thing u guys are seeing lol. He's always been well spoken, always given his opponents credit.. (he didnt laugh in Joe Rogan's face when being interviewed about Nate Quarry, pre fight or post fight) and thats a hard thing to do.

I'd also put a vote in for fedor, it seems like he has alot of respect and doesnt care about talking just smashing.... I think everyone can appreciate that.. when he does speak its respectful towards the other fighter.

[Tant01]

If you do Judo from Japan you represent the Kodokan!

Americans with humility are the exception, the rest can get down on one knee and thank "Jesus" or do backflips for all I care...

No dignity like the traditional Judo!

:::Smile:::