Who are the most overrated fighters?

[Mr. Miyagi]

1. Ken Shamrock- despite his widely read bio and title of being the "world's most dangerous man" he actually didn't prove that much as a fighter. He relied on big muscles and brute strength in his fights. Despite a big weight and strength advantage over Royce, just sat in his guard doing nothing. Royce and Severn were the accomplished fighters of that time, with so many accolades and championships, yet for some reason Shamrock overshadowed them. He even got the UFC to make a video special, about his fights!
2. Mark Kerr- was thought of as the top heavyweight for almost a full year even though his only victory against a top heavyweight was against Enson Inoue.
3. Hugo Duarte- He did nothing in the MMA world yet came so highly regarded as the top luta livre fighter, with very poor showings against Tank Abbot and Mark Kerr.
4. Rickson Gracie- we don't have to discuss this one.
5. Kimo- he also accomplished very little in MMA, victories over a couple mediocre fighters and a worked fight with Sak. Seems that he's only so well known and highly regarded because he knocked Royce out of Ufc III. Get over it...you all realize that Royce won that fight by armbar?

Who else?

[c0bra]

Bob Sapp. He makes k-1 look bad.

Tank Abott. need i say more?

[Guest]

I have taken private lessons with Rickson. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest individuals I have ever met. He treated me (and everyone else) with the highest respect even though I was a pathetic lowly white belt. He is a true class act. I have seen him fight. It is amazing.

I have rolled with Kimo. He used to train at Joe Moriera's. He could have killed me with both hands behind his back. He didn't. He allowed me to roll and gave me pointers. He is in a league all his own.

If you were face to face with either, or on the mat, would you be so bold as to tell them they are over rated?

[eXcessiveForce]

Kimo would have won if it had not been for the braid. That was a poor choice.

[Tom Yum]

In defense of Mr. Miyagi, I don't think he's saying they are terrible fighters. Instead, he is saying that they have too much hype and too much press.

I've heard that punks try to pick on Ken Shamrock in public and that they've gotten slammed, chocked and KOd when they crossed the line.

[spiderchoke]

The Chief.

[Guest]

I understand Tom. I think what people sometimes fail to understand is how incredibly fearsome these so-called overrated guys are. I seriously do not know if I would feel safe with my Benelli shotgun against Kimo. The guy would DOMINATE every grappler in class.

Rickson would toy around with me similar to me goofing around with my 8 year old. I watched him fight this one kempo guy who paid $100 just to spar with him. It was child's play.

These guys are on a whole different level than us internet grappling masters.

[c0bra]

2 words...

groin tap

[jules]

You say that Royce is one of the greatist pound for pound in one thread and then say Rickson is "overrated"? Hmm.. Heck Royce himslef stated that Rickson is "about 8 times stronger than me". Also if you want proof about Rickson's fighting ability you need to look no futher than the fack that Carslon Gracie Jr. does not talk shit about Rickson directly. Carlson has no problem shietting on Royce and Roiron but he keeps his trap shut when it comes to Rickson.

[jules]

didn't Shanrock beat Severn?

[smith&wesson]

Originally posted by Dave3006
These guys are on a whole different level than us internet grappling masters.

That's true but not the point.
If I critize a football player I do not say that I'm the better football player. Otherwise all the critizers/journalists would have to keep their mouth shut.
Having some knowledge and being objective is good enough to build an own opinion.

For the question that was ashed: I vote for Sakuraba.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Ok, one at a time.

Every NBA player could waste me in basketball, every NFL player is also much better at football than me. I'm just a fan. I've referred to certain boxers that I wouldn't last 30 seconds with as being tomato cans too. It seems like some of you only get all touchy when it's said about an MMA competitor.
On a twisted but humorous note, a few years back when the 6'10" power forward Derrick Coleman was playing for the Nets, he was arrested and charged with beating up a 14 year old kid! The kid's provocation? He told Coleman, "The Nets suck."
So no, I wouldn't tell Rickson or Kimo they are overrated to their face. Though I don't think they're the type of guys who would beat me up for it.

Severn is there because he fought so many times and won tournaments. Back then, the UFC was based on a tounament structure. I don't know why Shamrock was featured in the first superfight though he never won a tournament, never even made the finals. Severn made a mistake against Sham and got caught, but look at their overall careers here. Everyone who competes regularly loses and wins at different times, but it's better to judge them over a long haul.

Royce is up there and Rickson is overrated. Yes. I don't care what Royce said back then, he doesn't say that now. It's one little comment he made, probably out of gratefullness to his brother for helping him train. And it's turned into one of the most repeated comments I've ever heard. Royce stepped in there fearlessly and fought some much bigger fighters, the best of that time, and made himself into a legend. He also showed his stuff by taking on Sakuraba, he didn't say crap about his 'aura' or any other garbage like that. He also was graceful in defeat. Rickson's best fight was against the outdated Funaki, and he very well could have lost that too. Rickson is overrated because he carries a legendary 'unbeaten' rep, but he hasn't really every competed against legit fighters.

[bartjam]

I think Rickson Gracie is one of the best fighters of all times in MMA. He is skillful, fast, brave.
Of course noone can know whether he would have won or not against Marco Ruas or Wanderlei Silva or Bas Rutten or other good strikers.
But I think Royce is by far more overrated than Rickson!

I agree that K.Shamrok and M.Kerr are huge guys with not impressive skill. I think Rickson could kill'em ;-)

[MMA fanatic]

well I agree with most of what guys mentioned about fighters being overrated, including ken shamrock. As far as rickson gracie is concerned hes got a record of over 250 jj wins and has never lost an MMA event, he is definately one of the top MMA fighters and is defunately not overrated.

[smith&wesson]

I'm surprised to read that Kimo is here mentioned as an important fighter. Doesn't he wore a ponytail in the fight against Royce? This was very unprofessional. Though I laughed my ass of while seeing how Gracie was pulling Kimo's head down - with the help of the ponytail.