Who Is Your Favorite Japanese Fighter? [Archive]

robbypark

11-15-2004, 03:12 AM

OK, we've done European and Brazilian, now it's time for Japanese. Just for those curious though, here's the consensus thus far:

Favorite Fighters:

Brazilian: Wanderlei Silva
European: Mirko Cro Cop

-Ok, so if you had to choose, who would you say is your favorite Japanese fighter?

makavelli

11-15-2004, 03:28 AM

The legend himself, Kazushi Sakuraba

dogofwar

11-15-2004, 03:59 AM

Current: Kid Yamamoto

All Time: Sak

sars

11-15-2004, 04:33 AM

Sakuraba is a great one but Kondo is my current favorite with Sudo and Kid coming behind.

Maverick31

11-15-2004, 07:37 AM

Sak for sure.

kimura

11-15-2004, 08:15 AM

All Time: Sak
Exactly. Because the poll doesn't indicate whether the fighter should be all time or current, I went with Sakuraba. But from current Japanese fighters I enjoy Genki Sudo far more than others, Yoshida and Kondo are number two and three. Sak's somewhere in the mix, as he's not in his prime anymore.

Cbear

11-15-2004, 09:41 AM

Like most everyone, I cannot help but pick Sakuraba. However, thats due to his history, legend and personality and not for his current fighting ability. Sudo, Gomi, Yoshida are probably a toss up of my current favs. Gotta love Iron Head Fujita just for having an iron head. :)

When it comes around to favorite Americans, I will also have a fighter I cannot help but pick and yet I almost feel its almost unfair when you have living legends still fighting.....and kicking ass as they completely overshadow everyone else.

When all is said and done, I hope we do one thread that ties all the winners together in an international favorites topic. Perhaps even showing the top 2 or 3 picks from each region to show our forums favorite worldwide fighters. Maybe then a pick of fav of the favs? Robby has probably already thought of all this. ;)

Jack U. Up

11-15-2004, 10:12 AM

Had to pick Sudo for his unorthodox style. He is just hilarious to watch, and he is a pretty good fighter.

dunemako

11-15-2004, 10:19 AM

Right now, for me it's Takanori "Superstaaaaaaaaaaaaaar" Gomi

IMO, the most well rounded fighter in the world today.

themunchies

11-15-2004, 10:25 AM

all time it's Sakuraba for sure. But right now, I've got to go with Kid Yamamoto. He's got a crappy attitude but his awesome prowess as a fighter completely overshadows that. He's got great standup which will be tested to the max when he fights Masato in K-1, but most of all, he has the most devastating GnP in the world. His ground n pound attack makes Fedor's look like dry humping.

jadakkiss81

11-15-2004, 01:09 PM

I will let my avatar and signature speak for me.

dhk1980

11-15-2004, 01:11 PM

Sudo by far!!! the guy got style and skills. and then its Yoshi.

Tony Montana

11-15-2004, 01:26 PM

really tough call on this one.

Sudo's definitely got the best style. But, Gomi is the most entertaining fighter IMO. I'll have to go with Gomi.

Kid Yamamoto is waaaaay overrated!

scott

11-15-2004, 01:26 PM

really tough call on this one.

Sudo's definitely got the best style. But, Gomi is the most entertaining fighter IMO. I'll have to go with Gomi.

Kid Yamamoto is waaaaay overrated!

overrated? bah to that! You've probably never even seen him fight,

NewEnglandMMAFan

11-15-2004, 01:43 PM

Genki Sudo all the way. Sak is a cockey fighter, and it's hard for me to like cockey fighters.

dhk1980

11-15-2004, 01:46 PM

Genki Sudo all the way. Sak is a cockey fighter, and it's hard for me to like cockey fighters.

WHAT??? "Sak is a cockey fighter"??? what the hell ar you talking about??? have you even seen most of his fights??? OR do you know what you mean when you say that Sak is cocky??

NewEnglandMMAFan

11-15-2004, 02:18 PM

WHAT??? "Sak is a cockey fighter"??? what the hell ar you talking about??? have you even seen most of his fights??? OR do you know what you mean when you say that Sak is cocky??

If you watch his first fight with Nino he was cockey as hell and he paid for it.

Hannibal_JSayto_Lecter

11-15-2004, 02:38 PM

Brazilian

Vitor Belfort
Rcardo Arona

European

Mirco Crocop
Fedor Emeleanenko

Japanese

Joshida
Fujita

dhk1980

11-15-2004, 03:28 PM

If you watch his first fight with Nino he was cockey as hell and he paid for it.

he made a freaking mistake. sak got caught by nino. when he went in on him with the fake mongolian chop. and he's been doing it for years.your reasoning is BS.

Iron Maiden

11-15-2004, 03:29 PM

Sakuraba hands down.

A very solid second is Genki Sudo. I love his style,I love his respect,and I love the fact that he was trained by Bas Rutten. Great fighter.

How could you not love Sakuraba though? He is just the MAN.

Solaris Flare

11-15-2004, 03:59 PM

Wow, it's a tight race between Genki Sudo and Kazushi Sakuraba so far. Looks like it's going to be a close finish.

kimura

11-15-2004, 04:01 PM

Sakuraba was headbutted for Pete's sake. I've seen it on a clip, I should get my hands on the fight and watch it again, the clip I saw was pretty obvious. It still wonders me why DSE didn't make any noise about it, or maybe we've just missed it. Or maybe Sakuraba was just way too cool and actually thought he deserved to lose the way he was fighting.

Saku rules.

NewEnglandMMAFan

11-15-2004, 04:06 PM

he made a freaking mistake. sak got caught by nino. when he went in on him with the fake mongolian chop. and he's been doing it for years.your reasoning is BS.

My reason is not BS. If you watch the match even the comentators say he is taking Nino lightly. You only take lightly if you are cockey.

themunchies

11-15-2004, 04:27 PM

Sakuraba isn't a cocky fighter. Sakuraba is a showman because he used to be a pro wrestler before he became MMA fighter. That showmanship is like second nature to him.

Oh yeah, and not to mention that he's the greatest of all time.

BruceLee

11-15-2004, 04:30 PM

I voted for Fujita because I like heavyweights, and I'm a fan of Iron Head.
The Poll question is who is your "Favorite" fighter, not who is the "best" fighter.

I like Sakuraba alot too.

In terms of who is the best all time in Japanese fighting I disagree that it is Sakuraba.

I'd have to say it is Masahiko Kimura who invented the Kimura armbar, is Japanese greatest Judoka, broke Helio Gracie's arm, fought in Vale Tudo, and was a Pro Wrestler to boot. One of the Pioneers of MMA.

http://bjj.org/interviews/kimura/

http://www.judoinfo.com/kimura.htm

http://www.judoinfo.com/kimura2.htm

claymore

11-15-2004, 04:31 PM

Takanori Gomi is my pick. Indeed Sakuraba and Kondo are legends, but right now this is Takanori Gomi's time and he is a future legend.

kai

11-15-2004, 04:48 PM

I vote for Kawajiri. Anybody that's seem him knows how much of an animal he is. The way he completely manhandled Yves Edwards was a thing of beauty.

ACIDBATHBELFORT

11-15-2004, 04:51 PM

Im surprised Saku didnt run away witht this one.

cardinals_82_85

11-15-2004, 06:25 PM

I feel like I don't get to see any of the fighters enough. And sometimes when you do get to see them, their opponent isn't worthy, so you don't get a true idea of their abilities. I guess I'm thinking mainly of Fujita and Kid. How many times has Fujita fought in the last year? And Kid? Unfortunately, not enough, I think.

Cbear

11-15-2004, 07:08 PM

Im surprised Saku didnt run away witht this one.
Same here. I really thought Saku would blow everyone away and be the king of the world, but that isn't the case. For many, it looks like Saku is the sentimental fav but someone else is the current fav. Thats fair enough.

robbypark

11-15-2004, 07:10 PM

SakuRama

11-15-2004, 07:18 PM

lol..who the hell do you think i'll vote? ...

Anytime

11-15-2004, 11:10 PM

Sakuraba :-D
but i also like Fujita alot... anyone who brawls with crocop and fedor is a madman....

dogofwar

11-15-2004, 11:37 PM

I think Sudo is one of the most overrated guys on the planet..

:braces for incoming fire:

Seriously, the biggest name win on his resume is Royler Gracie. Whether or not you think he was screwed over in the Bang fight it was still close either way and BJ killed Bang. Sudo turned down several rematches in both UFC & K 1 w/ Bang. He turned down a fight w/ BJ. The guy just doesn't fight the best comp out there.

He has great entrances, he is charasmatic, but his comp is suspect.

Iron Maiden

11-15-2004, 11:49 PM

dogofwar

11-15-2004, 11:55 PM

^^True he hasn't fought top calibur people yet and won,but his ability is certainly there. You can see in his movements and his fighting that his skills are there. I too would love to see him face the UFC big dogs,maybe then he can prove himself to all of us.
It's like what I was telling people about Roy Jones 6 years ago...

The talent is there but when you are fighting second tier guys it's easy to say that. But look at the Bang fight that was a good, solid, close fight and Bang is no top-tier MMA guy. BJ abused him. I like to see the ability and talent come out against upper tier guys then I give credit.

I'm not saying he doesn't have talent but w/ his comp that he is anywhere near Sak in the voting in mind blowing, at least Yoshida, Fuijta, and the other guys have fought guys like Fedor, Royce, Cro Cop, Silva...top guys.

Solaris Flare

11-16-2004, 01:26 AM

I agree. Sudo needs to beat a top rank fighter to even start living up to his rep.

Iron Maiden

11-16-2004, 01:39 AM

I'm not saying he doesn't have talent but w/ his comp that he is anywhere near Sak in the voting in mind blowing,

Yeah but this is not a "greatest of all time" thread,its a "Favorite Japanese Fighter" thread. You could put even the biggest Japanese can of all on the list and if someone picks him,it would be fair,because its all opinion anyway. Its not who was the greatest,its who is your favorite.

creampuff

11-16-2004, 01:45 AM

Genki Sudo is awesome but my favorite is Fujita.

DaBigHurt

11-16-2004, 10:34 AM

Guys, our favorite japanese fighter doesnt mean he has to be the best.

Genki Sudu right now is my favorite because he's entertaining, he doesnt just give you a fight, he gives you a show.

Saku is my all-time. But my vote goes to Genki Sudo.

BtW: This poll is closer than I thought.

themunchies

11-16-2004, 12:13 PM

It's good to see Gomi getting a good share of the votes as well. He deserves it.

Grappling-fan

11-16-2004, 01:10 PM

It was tough to pick, but I went with Sak, even though Sudo and Gomi are very close seconds.

jrock21

11-16-2004, 01:43 PM

very tough choice,there are a ton of great japanese fighters...but i had to go with the genki..:)

creampuff

11-16-2004, 01:55 PM

And Sudo takes the lead! This one is going to come down to the wire........

robbypark

11-17-2004, 12:38 AM

This poll ends in a couple of hours. Genki has the one vote lead over Sak. Any of you lurkers that want to make a difference, do so now!!!

Iron Maiden

11-17-2004, 12:47 AM

Hopefully people don't register multiple accounts,because that would be weak as hell

robbypark

11-17-2004, 12:53 AM

Hopefully people don't register multiple accounts,because that would be weak as hell

The # of members is at 1570 right now. Keep an eye on it and make sure it isn't any higher depending on the # of votes this poll still receives.(If it receive any more)

Cbear

11-17-2004, 01:09 AM

Yoshida sure has dropped in popularity since Royce 2. Old Iron Head Fujita is doing pretty well though. ;)

robbypark

11-17-2004, 03:28 AM

Poll closed and Sudo pulls off the huge upset!

Iron Maiden

11-17-2004, 03:30 AM

He is entertaining as hell....

robbypark

11-17-2004, 03:31 AM

oh, just so you guys know, Saku isn't completely done yet. What I plan to do, is take the top 2 vote getters for each poll(European, Brazilian, etc) and in the end have a "Favorite International Fighter" poll. To maximize the chances for as many members to vote as possible, I'm going to make it a sticky. It should be real fun.

BTW, the favorite American fighter poll takes place tomorrow.