MMA Mania: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Around SBN: New media and the Loss of Sportsmanship

Dan Gable and MMA

This is the ultimate MMA what if question.  Wrestlers have done their share of dominating the MMA world.  What would have happened if the greatest wrestler of all time competed in MMA?

HERE is a link of the post written by Robert.  He shares some great points!  This is a very good read.

It is often said that one of the best bases to have as a mixed martial artist is wresting. Wrestling, in all of its forms, is a sport that is all about leverage and control.

Many fighters who have come from a strong wrestling background have found great success. Just look across the MMA landscape today as it is littered with champion wrestlers making the transition to the sport.

The reason wrestlers have excelled in MMA is not due solely to wrestling itself. Wrestlers are successful because of the drive, determination, and work ethic that they bring with them.

If there is one man who epitomizes wrestling, drive, determination, and work ethic it is Dan Gable.

 

Impressive....

While attending college and after his collegiate career Gable competed in the Olympic wrestling style of freestyle. Gable was a six-time midlands champion and a three-time USA Freestyle National Champion. In 1971 Gable become World Champion, winning the 68kg division in Sofia, Bulgaria.

In 1972, when the Olympics invaded Munich, the goal was simple; bring home the gold. During these historic Olympics Gable would not only win the gold but he did so without surrendering a single point to his opposition.

 

What if....

It is not difficult to imagine that had MMA been an avenue available to the Olympic champion it would have been something to consider. For many college wrestlers MMA has become the most suitable path to choose when following the dream of professional athletics.

Gable could have been a force inside the octagon, and would have likely competed at lightweight. The lightweight division has truly become a fan favorite with the incredible pace that the athletes are able to fight at. Gable would have surly been at home in that atmosphere.

With an unstoppable shot and flawless transitions Dan Gable would have ruled the lightweight land. The ability that he possessed to throw and control another human was unreal.

We will never know if Gable could learn to strike, or if he could even take a punch, but we do know that he could wrestle. With his caliber of wrestling, and his work ethic he would have become a champion.

 

 



0 recs  |  Comment 1 comment  |  Add comment

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Dave Shultz would have been an amazing mma fighter. he beat people up (did so in the 84’ olympics) and in his match against the great Lee Kemp, there is a famous photo of him destroying Kemp’s arm in a standing Kimora.

by punchtotheface on Nov 27, 2009 10:30 AM EST reply actions   0 recs


User Tools

Start posting on MMA Mania »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Images1_small
THE WINTER OF OUR MMA DISCONTENT IS OVER
Us_small
McArthur's 2010 MMAMania Fight Pick'em Pool - UFC 110 Round 5 - and Round 4 RESULTS
Securedownload_small
MONDAY MORNING BLACKBELT
9144-lesnargsp_small
The Undercards Season One Episode 2 RESULTS
2481649810100752951s425x425q85_small
Getting to Know Mania

Recent FanPosts

Andreina-samudio-3_small
Akihiro Gono, Yoshihiro 'Kiss' Nakao and Henry 'Sentoryu' Miller added to Sengoku 12
Boxing_fight-13068_small
UFC WW 8-Man Tourney Championship
Mmamania_small
Gray Maynard still not upset about being passed over for title shot against BJ Penn (Video)
Mmamania_small
UFC 110 video trailer: Going 'Down Under' for 'Nogueira vs. Velasquez' on Feb. 20
Techno-viking_small
WEC Quick Quote: Urijah Faber plans on fighting the best guys in the sport regardless of division
Techno-viking_small
Tom Lawlor vs Tim Credeur on tap for UFC 113
Techno-viking_small
Martin Kampmann out, Jake Ellenberger in against Ben Saunders at UFC 111
Mmamania_small
Minotauro Nogueria: Cain Velasquez is not a good submission fighter (UFC 110 video)
Mmamania_small
UFC prospect Phil Davis eager to get 'back in the lab' after winning Octagon debut
Mmamania_small
UFC Undisputed 2010 video game announcement from Dana White

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Managers

Mmamania_small MMAmania.com

Tomcat_small Jesse Holland

Editors

Small James Iannotti

Andreina-samudio-3_small Akimitsu Kuwabara

Adam_bomb_small Adam Wagner

Techno-viking_small James Kimball

Authors

Small DrubySunshine

Fedorsweater2_small Derek Bolender