I know this is heresy and a borderline banable slander to some, but could a prime Matt Hughes beat a prime Rickson on the ground in MMA?
If they fought Rickson is probably going to be on his back. BJ sort of worked Matt and almost tapped him, but he did rock him standing. Hallman tapped Hughes quickly, twice, but I don’t think he would have beaten prime Hughes.
Rickson did struggle against Shultz who had zero sub knowledge and he wasn’t punching. Punching does make you vulnerable to loss of control though.
I guess it does come down to rules. Let’s say both Pride and UFC rules.
He’s like some ghost of something that never was. Champion of closet BJJ, beach fights before cameras were invented, and MMA tournaments against one-eyed men half his size.
Nobody knows what Rickson really was outside of BJJ. He chose not to prove it which is his prerogative. He’s been living off his own coattails for decades.
I’ve spoken to people online that have gone to his seminars and he is a master technician. So was Ron van Browning… That doesn’t mean they can win every fight they are in.
any of you motherfuckers think prime Matt fucken Hughes was smart enough to stay safe against Rickson? Rickson would tangle him up, brutally punish him and finish with a choke or effortless armbar from mount
This. I’ll take the proven, multi-time world champion that has proved he can walk the walk over and over again, on film and against the best in the world, versus the BJJ hermit that had few fights against the B-team (prowrestlers, small Japanese men).
You don’t remember correctly. His standup was shite as usual, was taken down easily, and casually pummeled. I think Matt even felt guilty about it, and that is a remorseless motherfucker.
Unless I’m remembering wrong Hughes ducked him under like it was a collegiate wrestling match because he had zero fear of Royce’s striking or submission ability and did so once he got bored of Royce larping as a karate guy
Comparing Rickson to Matt is an insult to Matt and all the fighters who actually tested themselves. He’s a gym legend, nothing more. The Gracies were great at BJJ but nothing special once everyone else started training it.
