MMA Fighters and Their Superhero Counterparts

In sports, we tend to idolize our athletes and at times, raise them to the status of hero, some might say super heroes. If you think of it, MMA is no different.

So what if these fighters were super heroes? They're both strong, wear colorful outfits and have to brave to step into the field of battle. Three examples come to mind, even without the spandex and secret identities.

Randy Couture as Captain America

This one is a gimme since Couture already has had the moniker “Captain America" for years. Often credited for bringing mixed martial arts into the mainstream of American pop culture and sports, Couture is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame and many consider him to be the most popular fighter in MMA history.

In the comics, Captain America uses his shield for most of his attacks. In the cage, Couture uses “dirty boxing” for most of his. Captain America was the alter ego of Steve Rogers, a sickly young man who was enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental serum in order to aid the United States' war effort.

Ironically, some might accuse the UFC of “enhancing” Couture’s image in order to aid the growth of the sport. Some would argue the UFC did so by putting Couture into very advantageous situations which he almost always made the most of. (Notice we stayed away from any talks of experimental serum with Couture. There's never been an accusation against him and I'm not about to start!)

Regardless, Couture is a pioneer of the sport and will always be remembered for his tireless work ethic, masterful game plans, and all-American persona, just like ol' Cap.

Last year, Rogers was killed off in the comics and another man took the mantle as the famed superhero. If Couture were to pass the torch, Forrest Griffin would be a great choice. Griffin immortalized himself in MMA history in his fight against Stephan Bonnar in the finals of season one of The Ultimate Fighter.

Griffin embodies the blue-collar work ethic that is synonymous with most Americans. Like Couture, he doesn’t have to win all his fights, but he does remain viable in the hearts of fans.

Anderson Silva as Spider-Man

Since Silva’s moniker is “The Spider,” this also seemed like an obvious choice. Spider-Man is the alter ego of Peter Parker, a teenage high school student whose self-obsessions with rejection, inadequacy and loneliness allowed young readers to relate. Through a stroke of luck and a spider-bite, he gained incredible powers.

Something tells me that Silva doesn’t obsess much over rejection or inadequacy. Perhaps he did so as a teenager and that's what propelled him to become the “web-slinger” (or is that punch slinger?) that he is today. Silva’s “web” consists of super-fast pinpoint strikes and a Muay Thai clinch that his victims can’t escape once caught in. Ask Rich "Doctor Octopus" Franklin.

Silva also has that “Spidey-sense” that alerts him to danger, allows for perfect balance and equilibrium, as well as superhuman speed and agility. While Silva might not excel in applied science, chemistry and physics like Peter Parker did, his MMA game is the perfect alchemy of all the mixed martial arts.

Lyoto Machida as Batman

If there was a fighter that was as cool, mysterious and elusive as Batman, it would have to be Lyoto Machida. Machida solidified his superhero status at UFC 94 with his masterful performance over Thiago Silva. Like Batman often does, Machida made it seem nearly effortless.

But putting forth effort is only an outside appearance. The Dark Knight has every trick and gadget at his disposal and uses them when he gets in trouble. Machida’s "utility belt" includes a blend of Shotokan Karate, Sumo, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Muay Thai.

While Machida has appeared flustered at times, his ever-evolving style allows him to remain one step ahead his foes who want his identity exposed. Just see either of the new Batman movies to get perspective on how Bruce Wayne deals with difficulties.

While Machida isn’t a wealthy industrialist, playboy and philanthropist like Wayne, he maintains the cool exterior and his hair always seems to be in place. While the biggest fear Wayne has is bats, Machida’s biggest fear may be losing as his sterling 14-0 record seems to prove.

If there was another fighter who had some similarities to Batman, it would be “cool as a cucumber” Fedor Emelianenko. If any MMA fighter remains shrouded in mystery, like Batman, it would be “The Last Emperor of Russia. I wouldn’t be surprised if Emelianenko had a compound similar to Wayne’s that is buried somewhere underneath the frozen tundra of Russia. Is he the hero that MMA (Gotham) deserves?

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