Sherdog vs. Tapology: What's the correct fighter database to follow?

[TCE]

Sherdog and Tapology are considered the top MMA fighter record databases, but seemingly follow different rules to what counts as a pro fight.

For instance...

1, Tapology doesn't count recent bare knuckle MMA as wins/losses on their records. They're listed as exhibition bare knuckle MMA fights. Jorge Masvidal's bare knuckle org are all exhibition bare knuckle fights on Tapology, excluding their fights from their pro MMA record.

Sherdog lists them as professional MMA fights and counts them on their pro MMA record.

Example:
Alex Nicholson 15 - 9 Tapology
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/38702-alex-nicholson
Alex Nichsolson 17 - 9 Sherdog
https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Alex-Nicholson-121077

2, Sherdog doesn't count recent AMC fights to their pro MMA record due to their 60 second ground control ruling. There was a thread here about it.

Tapology includes these fights to their pro MMA records.

Example:
Zulu 12 - 12 Tapology
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/zuluzinho
Zulu 12 - 11 - Sherdog
https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Wagner-da-Conceicao-Martins-13398

3, Tapology has a "Record Ineligible MMA" under fights. These fights are not included on to their pro MMA records.

Sherdog lists these fights on their pro MMA record.

Example:
Paul Elliott 3 - 1 (1 NC) Tapology
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/158118-paul-elliott
Paul Elliott 4 - 1 (1 NC) Sherdog
https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Paul-Elliott-257439

These two MMA databases are what organizations, MMA media, fans, etc. use.

But which one do we go by? Both are going by different sets of rules, making it very confusing what database to follow by us fans, plus I'm sure promoters too.

 

[Prologue]

@JayPettryMMA is the Lester Freamon of MMA and that works for me.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

I just use Tap because the interface is far better.

 

[Sincere Guy]

Tapology is much better and more complete.

 

[Post 2 Decision]

Sherdog is correct about both:

-not including the current AMC ruleset

-including MMA fights without gloves

 

[Safton]

I suppose it's a matter of perspective on what constitutes "real" MMA. I can see arguments either way. Personally, I have my settings on Tapology set to show all recorded combat sports matches they've taken part in anyway (MMA exhibitions, boxing, kickboxing, grappling, wrestling, etc.; I like this as an option) so it doesn't affect me much regardless.

I do like Tapology's stance on actively calling attention to shady promotions or total cans on fighter's records and discounting those stat-padding "wins". That said, I know Sherdog's FF team has done some investigative work of their own in this regard when it comes to shenanigans.

I just use Tap because the interface is far better.

Same. I personally find it more user-friendly and intuitive to navigate. That said, in my experience Sherdog tends to include some information which Tapology tends to leave out regarding specific obscure bouts.

 

[Sakurabaism]

Only sissies use Tapology. Not surprising that two users here using them. They're both sissies.

 

[NoSmilez]

They should just count unified MMA rules. Fights in Asia are more or less the same with the exception of knees to the head and judging is by whole rather than round by round. What AMC fights put on isn't really MMA.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

AMC have changed the rules back now anyway

 

[Goutfather]

fwiw, here’s an anecdote. i actually had a chance to compare them awhile back in the midst of a pointless mma argument. i was trying to figure out some old fighter’s record, and he had some early fights from some kind of disorganized promotions. basically the guy’s record was different everywhere because he fought multiple fights on the same night and sometimes fought the same guy twice. idk why they would do that that, but that’s what happened. sherdog listed him as having 30 fights, other sites including tapology listed 28 or 29. i think the other sites assumed that when he fought the same guy twice, it was a duplicate entry. sherdog was the only site that had it correct.

 

[Midget Boxer]

WIKIPEDIA!!!

 

[TheTickG]

Sherdog and Tapology are considered the top MMA fighter record databases, but seemingly follow different rules to what counts as a pro fight.

For instance...

1, Tapology doesn't count recent bare knuckle MMA as wins/losses on their records. They're listed as exhibition bare knuckle MMA fights. Jorge Masvidal's bare knuckle org are all exhibition bare knuckle fights on Tapology, excluding their fights from their pro MMA record.

Sherdog lists them as professional MMA fights and counts them on their pro MMA record.

Example:
Alex Nicholson 15 - 9 Tapology
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/38702-alex-nicholson
Alex Nichsolson 17 - 9 Sherdog
https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Alex-Nicholson-121077

2, Sherdog doesn't count recent AMC fights to their pro MMA record due to their 60 second ground control ruling. There was a thread here about it.

Tapology includes these fights to their pro MMA records.

Example:
Zulu 12 - 12 Tapology
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/zuluzinho
Zulu 12 - 11 - Sherdog
https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Wagner-da-Conceicao-Martins-13398

3, Tapology has a "Record Ineligible MMA" under fights. These fights are not included on to their pro MMA records.

Sherdog lists these fights on their pro MMA record.

Example:
Paul Elliott 3 - 1 (1 NC) Tapology
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/158118-paul-elliott
Paul Elliott 4 - 1 (1 NC) Sherdog
https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Paul-Elliott-257439

These two MMA databases are what organizations, MMA media, fans, etc. use.

But which one do we go by? Both are going by different sets of rules, making it very confusing what database to follow by us fans, plus I'm sure promoters too.

I only use Sherdog.

That being said, bare knuckle fights shouldn't count.

That being said, I probably haven't looked at my records that included BK fights.

Misunderstood the meaning of bareknuckle fights at first.

 

[Sasha]

I think tapology may be more complete, but Sherdog is more reliable.
That's how I understood it, tap sometimes jumps the gun , whereas Sherdog tries to reflect the reality, which is NOT a simple thing to do.

 

[Cobra 03]

I like Wikipedia, because they tell if the fight was for a championship. Sherdog does not give that info.

 

[Dog Gynecologist]

I use the one that come first when i search a fighter on Google and it's Wikipedia most of the time.

 

[Siver!]

Tapology still wins for me.

Sherdog not telling me what the respective records were for previous fights means I can't really use it.



I also like the inclusion of 'cancelled' fights.

But Sherdog is the more professionally audited database.

There are plenty of examples where Tapology just didn't bother with the research. I'm not just talking about questionable fights/results either.

WTF is this shit?



"Ohio Regional"?

https://www.sherdog.com/events/GFC-Team-Gracie-vs-Team-Hammer-House-3585

It wasn't exactly a 'nothing' card...

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

They all use Sherdog to have the correct info in the end...

 

[MuffinsAppletree]

I use both. But betting, I like to go opposite of Gianni’s “the horseteeth” Greek.

 

[BJJ4Tone]

SHER-MUH-FUGGIN-DAAAWWWWWGGGG!!!!!
Frankly, I'm a little offended that you'd ask.

 

[Truk]

I only use my own revisionist, and biased spotty memory.