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sure, SAKU is da GOAT, but let´s be real... in Modern MMA [>1999], the undersized fighter is not supposed to be
competitive @ OW...
That´s basically what secured SAKU G.´s legacy.
How did Sakuraba beat Rampage, Vitor if it took him 1 hour to beat Royce?
- Thread starter superpunch
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competitive @ OW...
That´s basically what secured SAKU G.´s legacy.
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Vitor should've gone back to America where the competition was easier.
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Wasnt that the fight that rampage said he got poisoned beforehand? Lol
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You're obviously a troll or idiot.
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"they" or... himself... or both... sadistic relationships, tbh... SAKU G. is/was a weirdo, like all the ATGs...
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Sakuraba's wrestling ability allowed him to take the fight to the ground constantly and his chain-grappling and ability to absorb impact secured it for him. His lightning quick swing single circumvented Jackson's normally top-notch takedown defense. Yes, the size differential was huge, the opponent was skilled and the victory was impressive. But Sakuraba pulled it off anyways.
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He nearly submitted him in the first round with that knee-bar, but he himself said that after he saw that Royce probably wanted to wear him out, he adjusted so that he didn't burn himself out. Without the conditions, he probably would have gone after Royce and we likely would have seen a different fight.
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I hear ya, mate... but the undersized fighter´s path to victory @ OW is pretty limited in Modern MMA, always technically the bigger fighter´s fight to lose...
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I think Sak could have finished Gracie probably, but Gracie had demanded the no-time-limit as his terms in accepting the fight. I believe Sakuraba was making a point and also creating an epic historical moment.
Vitor is a guy who is very hot & cold. On a good day, he might beat any MW on the planet, almost any LHW on the planet (on his best days). At other times, he's been known to underperform, give up (sometimes shows a lack of "heart"), etc. I consider GSP the all time GOAT, yet he lost to a guy who spent most of his career at LW (Serra), but GSP also beat some all time greats. In MMA, it is almost impossible to be undefeated. GSP lost to Serra fair & square the 1st time, it's the nature of MMA, shit happens. If they fought 5 times, GSP wins 4 out of 5, that night happened to be the 1 time for Serra. Hughes lost to There are too many variables & ways to lose in MMA. Rampage was very good but not yet in his best peak form, & styles make fights. Hughes is another all time great WW, 1st time he lost to Hallman people said it was because he was a noob. In their rematch, Hughes had a record of 22 - 1, yet he still lost to Hallman again. No one would try to argue Hallman had a better career than Hughes or that he is a better fighter than Hughes, styles make fights & sometimes a guy just has your number.
Prime Saku was a legit candidate for #1 P4P at the time (not in today's MMA rankings, for the rankings at that period in time). I'm not saying he was the #1 P4P, just that he warranted discussion as a legit candidate at some points during that period. He's really a WW by modern MMA standards, who fought some of the best at heavier weights, & even beat some of them.
Prime Saku was a legit candidate for #1 P4P at the time (not in today's MMA rankings, for the rankings at that period in time). I'm not saying he was the #1 P4P, just that he warranted discussion as a legit candidate at some points during that period. He's really a WW by modern MMA standards, who fought some of the best at heavier weights, & even beat some of them.
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Deeper than that, actually... Vitor Gracie was still tryin´to figure out his real skill set through his... mindset...
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Rampage was green. He got praise for the effort vs Saku and went on a run. But Rampage wasn't a top fighter when Saku beat him.
The Saku loss marked the beginning of Vitor's passive years. Even in wins like vs Herring. Vitor did well early in UFC, then stuff happened in his personal life. Then regained form in Affliction and maintained it when he returned to the UFC to fight Franklin.
The Saku loss marked the beginning of Vitor's passive years. Even in wins like vs Herring. Vitor did well early in UFC, then stuff happened in his personal life. Then regained form in Affliction and maintained it when he returned to the UFC to fight Franklin.
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Royce was set up.
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You can always count on superpunch to make really dumb threads.
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Vitor’s sister had been kidnapped right? No wonder he wasn’t in his mind wasn’t in that fight
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?
Vitor'd thrown everything and a kitchen sink at Saku.
And after it failed to take Saku out of there, he kind of wilted, getting methodically outworked. That's Vitor all right, dunno what's supposed to be weird about that fight.
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His sister was kidnapped 3 weeks before the Couture fight, where he won the LHW title in 49 seconds off that fluke cut.
