For all this talk about world-class athletes in MMA, the facts speak otherwise:
Look at the "top" wrestlers in MMA first: they are either WAY TOO old or were world-class.
- Ben Askren, while in the 2008 Olympics, got handled by the Cuban Fundora, who in turn did not even medal !
- Mo Lawal, for all the talk of world-class wrestler does not even have a medal from olympics or world championships. And for all the talk that he is a young talented fighter, he is not, he is 29 years old. At that age, most world-class Judoka and Wrestlers are RETIRED !
- Kosheck, Hughes, Rosholt, Tito Ortiz, John Fitch, Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin, Hendricks, Cain Velasquez have never won a SINGLE international medal. I think almost ALL are OVER 30 !
- Dan Henderson, Matt Lindland, Mark Coleman, Randy Couture, Mark Kerr, Matushenko, WERE world-class wrestlers, but they are 40 (!) years old now. Currently, they are VERY FAR from being world class wrestlers. And lets face it here too, none of them was a top world-class wrestler. In fact, I think none of them EVER won a gold medal in world or olympics !
- Joe Warren is a world-class wrestler who will be 34 (!) this year.
Look at the "top" judoka in MMA: same story.
- Fedor Emelianenko: medaled at A-level judo tournaments and 3rd in Russian Nationals in Judo, but he will be 34 this year !!! Never placed top 10 in Europeans, Worlds or olympics.
- Hector Lombard, former A-level and Olympic judoka, is 32 years old !
- Yoshihiro Akiyama, former A-level judoka, never medaled at Olympics or Worlds, will be 35 this year !
- Ishii, who is an Olympic champion recently is young, but just started training MMA.
- Pawel Nastula, Yoshida were Olympic champions and are nearly 40 (!). Today, they would not medal at nationals.
It is pretty clear to me that MMA lacks a MASS of serious young top level athletes. What I mean by mass is the same as in Judo or Wrestling for instance. If you take Judo, just SINGLE weight class like 73kg has 100's of top level young athletes and CONSTANTLY new ones show up, every year, many new superstars. Same goes for wrestling. Every year, out of Russia, you can see a new young superstar and MANY if not ALL are under 22-23. MMA lacks mass and means for attracting top level athletes.
Currently, there are VERY VERY few really world-class athletes in MMA, I'd say almost zero.
And the distance between really top world-class athletes that would cross-train with the average jack-of-all-trades MMA athlete is huge.
I think in the future that will change, i think once we see a huge influx of top cross-trained European wrestlers/judoka and by huge I mean 100's of athletes starting out at under 25, that will be change the game completely.
But today, when you hear these announcements of 'world-class wrestlers and athletes' it is pretty crazy. I think people get really confused too and then get so surprised that Henderson who is 40 years old and is 25% of what he once was, cannot defend a takedown.
You forgot to mention Gary Goodridge, world champion Arm Wrestler.
I guess that's why it's considered to be a developing sport.
I think the point about Ben Askren is a good one. He got absolutely man-handled by that Cuban.
But this is MMA, not wrestling.
Yes, being an olympian is not world class, you must win the gold medal at age 15 to be world class!
You say most high level wrestlers and judokas are retired at 29 which is not true for wrestlers at all (I don't follow judo). Most high level wrestlers are at their prime between 28-32
So you have to win a medal to be a "high level athlete" but most of the people who have won medals have flopped in MMA
I am starting to think high-level athletes dont belong in the ghetto/hillbilly/thug/white trash/gangster garbage that is becoming MMA.
Can you imagine if someone like Karelin was attacked post fight by a group of Diaz type punks?
Or if someone like De La Hoya was part of a boring 5 round decision fight?
It would be an insult to them,and not worth their time.
I am starting to think the reason that professional top athletes are not in MMA,because they are too good to be associated w/it.
MMA as a sport hasnt impressed me for a long time.
It seems like the only reason anyone wins any more is because they are far better in a skill set that their opponent is clueless about.
^^^that doesnt happen in boxing,judo,jujitsu or wrestling.
They are superior sports.
It's kind of hard for anyone to meet your criteria. If a top college wrestler goes straight into MMA, then they "never won any international medals". If a wrestler gains experience on an international stage and has a career there, then you say he is too old in his 30s by the time he gets to MMA.
Youve gotta think that these TOP level wrestlers wrestle at college and university while getting their degree, I positive that the majority will see their qualifications as a better foundation to build their life around rather than their skill fighting.
If u get my meaning.
voorhees - I am starting to think high-level athletes dont belong in the ghetto/hillbilly/thug/white trash/gangster garbage that is becoming MMA.
Can you imagine if someone like Karelin was attacked post fight by a group of Diaz type punks?
Or if someone like De La Hoya was part of a boring 5 round decision fight?
It would be an insult to them,and not worth their time.
I am starting to think the reason that professional top athletes are not in MMA,because they are too good to be associated w/it.
MMA as a sport hasnt impressed me for a long time.
It seems like the only reason anyone wins any more is because they are far better in a skill set that their opponent is clueless about.
^^^that doesnt happen in boxing,judo,jujitsu or wrestling.
They are superior sports.
You don't see that in boxing, judo, jujitsu or wrestling because there is only one art being practiced; whereas in mma you have multiple facets to worry about. Might want to rethink your post
billy914 - It's kind of hard for anyone to meet your criteria. If a top college wrestler goes straight into MMA, then they "never won any international medals". If a wrestler gains experience on an international stage and has a career there, then you say he is too old in his 30s by the time he gets to MMA.
exactly.... the 29 year olds could still compete in their sports but choose to put their training and energy towards MMA looking for some money and fame....makes sense to me
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