it's slow today sooooo,
Inspired by a good discussion the other day with David W-S, I think they're are a few different levels, if you will, into which UFC greats fall into. We had talked about these. Its rough, nothing extravagant, just from our convo so go easy and add/subtract guys, move them around, etc.
Icons guys who were there from the beginning, but not the true mixed-martial artists that are synonymous with following generations of fighters. Some names that come to mind:
Dan Severn
Don Frye
Ken Shamrock
Tank Abbot
Kevin Randleman
Mark Coleman
Jens Pulver
Legends Guys who took the pioneer's torch and lit a fire. Used real skills, techniques, athleticism, and most importantly cross training of bases to become phenominal fighters in the biggest exploding sport, and some of the most recognizable names in the industry. Mixed Martial Atrists.
Randy Couture
Chuck Liddell
Matt Hughes
Rich Franklin
Gracie
Tito Ortiz
Frank Shamrock
Wandy
Cro Cop
NOG
Hendo
Vitor Belfort
Bas Rutten
The Elite Guys who are on another level. A level above even some of the greatest most iconic names in all of MMA
Fedor
GSP
A. Silva
BJ Penn*
ShoGun
Lyoto Machida*
I am sure many guys could fit into other categories or even multiple ones, just something to chat about. Itll be interesting in years down the road where guys like KOS, Fitch, Edgar, Belcher, bisPING, Rashad, Rampage, Lyoto, Bones Jones, Phil Davis, JDS, Brock, and many more fit in.