10 Fighters: A Biased Fan's Perspective, Part 2

I’m sure some of you will not agree with the list that I am about to present. That’s why it’s called a Biased Fan’s perspective, after all.

I like these guys; I want to see them fight again. To me they are just as important to the sport as the GSP’s and the Chuck Liddell’s of the sport.

If it wasn’t for guys like these I wouldn’t have ever watched MMA or gotten as interested in the sport as I am now. As I said in the first part of this article, some have had success, some failures, but they all deserve respect for helping to make the sport what it is today.

6. Kazushi “The Gracie Hunter” Sakuraba

Probably the most distinguished member of my list, Sakuraba got his name from the many defeats he handed to the Gracie family.

Desiring to emulate one of his childhood comic book hero’s, Sakuraba entered the world of professional fighting in 1996 and found great success.

While not exactly overlooked in the sport, he is rarely mentioned. Maybe it is because he is relatively unknown to Americans. Whatever the case, he is a true hero of MMA.

Notable victories in his possession include wins over the likes of Ken Shamrock, Quintin Jackson, Vitor Belfort, Kevin Randleman, Guy Mezger, and nearly everyone in the world named Gracie.

Among his losses include defeats at the hands of Antonio Noguiera, Wanderlei Silva, and in 2007 he was defeated for the first time by a Gracie when Royce Gracie gained a unanimous decision. It should be noted that Gracie was tested positive for steroid use following the bout.

One other questionable aspect of his career was his first defeat at the hands of Kimo, which was widely considered to be a “fixed” contest.

7. Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett

Here is where the flames should start but what the heck I like this guy.

In Bushido 7, he started his fight with probably the most creative move I have ever seen. Backing away from a fist tap into a corner, his opponent followed only to be kicked in the chest as Charles used the ropes to lift himself off the canvas and strike his opponent. Sweet. He ended that fight with a viscous knockout that broke his opponent’s nose.

His opponent in that fight was Yoshira Maeda, who currently fights in the WEC.

Charles deserves his nickname as he often displays outrageous behavior inside and outside of the ring. Ignoring officials and playing to the camera are virtual trademarks of his.

Outside the ring he has been a huge headache as well, often finding himself in jail. Currently he is facing domestic charges that could postpone his fight career indefinitely.

Notable fights include losses to Urijah Faber, Takanori Gomi, and Jeff Curan. Despite these defeats he has won five of his last six fights including his last one, a victory over Donnie Martinez at King of the Cage “Hierarchy” in 2007.

I was able to see this guy TKO Theo Mcdonald in 2005 at King of the Cage “Grudge Match”. I would love to hang out with this guy—not too long, but maybe a beer or two.

8. Ivan Salaverry

As I said I’m biased. I happen to know this man personally and he has always been a favorite of mine. His gym in Seattle, WA, is a classy joint and one everyone in the area should visit who is a fan of the sport. You won’t meet a nicer guy.

That being said, in my last fight (a win), I got to enjoy for about 39 seconds the bad end of a position he helped pioneer called the Crucifix. A side control mount that results in the helplessness of his opponent during which time he can bludgeon him into the Earth. Big fun. Matt Hughs displayed this positioning when he defeated BJ Penn during their last meeting.

Ivan has competed all over the world in all manner of Martial Arts competitions, including the UFC, Shooto, and K-1.

Victories of his include wins over Andrei Seminov, Tony Frykland, and Joe Riggs. Defeats include losses to Akihiro Gono, Matt Lindland, and Terry Martin.

Whatever the case he is a living, breathing, comic-book hero and will always have my respect.

9. Jeff “The Snowman” Monson

Despite this man’s appearance it might surprise many to discover he has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and has a long career as a crisis management counselor.

Decorating his body with a variety of controversial tattoos, he has been a long time member of a political organization called the “Wobblies”, better known as “The Industrial Workers of the World” While his appearance alone can frighten, he is an intelligent man and has had great success in the world of professional fighting.

An avid participant in the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships, he is a master of submission wrestling.

Finding mixed Success in MMA tournaments, Jeff’s most impressive victories have come against the likes of Carlos Clayton, Devin Cole, and Mark Kerr. He has lost to a who’s who of the sport however, losing fights to Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffon, Pedro Rizzo, and recently, Josh Barnett.

Recently he returned to win the Unlimited Weight Class of the Abu Dhabi Championship.

This is one scary, yet classy guy, and I’m sure he will be seen again very soon.

10. James “The Colossus” Thompson

Let the flaming begin!

I don’t care what anyone says, this guy is a monster. At 6’5” 270lbs and a psychotic glare to go with it, he is a living breathing nightmare.

Starting as a “debt collector” in England, James soon found professional fighting to be a natural fit and a way out of his impoverished lifestyle.

James has many solid victories in his pocket, including wins over Marc Goddard, Dan Severn, Henry Miller, Giant Silva, and Don Frye. He has mixed these victories in with defeats by individuals such as a respectable Aleksander Emelianenko. Included in his most recent defeats, however, was questionable stoppage vs. Eric Esch (AKA Butterbean) and most recently by Kimbo Slice.

Now as I have repeated time and time again I am biased. The way I see it, James has given into the need for cash by losing a fixed fight at the hands of Kimbo. Taking fights against jokes like Butterbean only shows this man’s desperate need for money.

Against Kimbo it can be clearly shown he was pulling punches and elbows. He actually forced Kimbo to tap out in the second round (I believe accidentally), but EliteXC, being the utterly corrupt and disgusting organization it was did not do him justice and allowed the fight to continue to its pre-determined end.

I feel bad for him. I think he could probably beat any fighter in the world and certainly any current HW champ of the UFC (there are so many) except for maybe Big Nog, and Fedor.

My only hope for him is that he is able to take care of his finances in a way that permit him to fight honestly and against actual competition. I don’t think he’s doing himself any favors by taking fights like the ones against Butterbean and Kimbo. Coming from his background, it’s easy to see how he could be susceptible to the “fix”.

Well that’s it—go ahead and flame if you want I don’t care. I like all 10 of the guys I’ve listed and will stand by them and their legacies. Some should be better treated than they have been, by the fans, the media, and themselves. Some, like James and Charles are perfect examples of how the worst enemy we face in our lives can often be ourselves.

Give credit where it’s due I say—or don’t I don’t care.

I’m biased!

-Marco Yanitelli “The Italian Scallion”