Forum Game S2 MMA Fighter of the Decade 2010-2019

Discussion in 'MMA - Mixed Martial Arts' started by speeds, Dec 18, 2019.

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MMA Fighter of the Decade 2010-2019

  1. Jon Jones

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  2. Khabib Nurmagomedov

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. Conor McGregor

    75.0%
  4. Ronda Rousey

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. Amanda Nunes

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  6. Demetrious Johnson

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  7. Other (Specify)

    25.0%
  1. speeds

    speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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    Nominees:

    Jon Jones* (17-0, 1 NC)
    Jones' dominance in the 2010's is similar to GSP's dominance in the previous decade, especially in the way Jones improved in rematches against Alex Gustafsson and Daniel Cormier. Jones has been repeatedly caught cheating with PED's which is inexcusable.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov (21-0)
    Khabib arrived in the LW division at the right time, IMHO. He's not faced a killer's row in his UFC career. With that being said, it would be hard to think of a fighter from any time in the UFC's history that would legitimately match up with him.

    Conor McGregor (18-3)
    Conor successfully transitioned the UFC from the GSP/Lesnar era. The sport has been a little down since his departure (along with Rousey) but that speaks to his impact. McGregor introduced a new generation of fans to MMA and demonstrated new crossover celebrity heights previously thought impossible for fighters.

    Ronda Rousey (12-2)
    The only fighter who could possibly rival McGregor's star power this decade was Ronda Rousey, who has since transitioned to acting and pro wrestling, and making babies with her dullard husband (joking: after sticking up for Bret Hart when that wacko attacked him he's back in my good graces forever). Rousey literally is the reason for WMMA in the UFC and we're still reaping the rewards of that.

    Amanda Nunes (15-3)
    Her UFC career was almost derailed in 2014 when she was TKO'd by Cat Zingano, but instead Nunes flipped a switch and became the greatest WMMA fighter of all time in the span of maybe four years. Nunes has faced all of the best WMMA fighters and world champions and has absolutely wrecked them. Germaine de Randamie, who Nunes is now 2-0 against, showed the world that Nunes can bleed, but there are very few contenders lined up behind her to take advantage.

    Demetrious Johnson (22-3)
    The WEC legitimized smaller weight class fighters. DJ took that a step further, injecting himself into the conversation for best pound-for-pound fighter for several years straight. DJ never had the support of the UFC behind him, save for praise by Joe Rogan, but advanced the cause of the smaller fighters through that adversity, and continues to do so with ONE.
     
  2. valo36

    valo36 Active Member

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    My heart wants to go with Mighty Mouse, but Conor was the only person I can think of. Dude blew up in a way no one in MMA ever has. First ever simulationeous two-division champion. First MMA fighter to cross 2 million PPV buys. His Mayweather boxing match hit 4 million PPV buy. Just became a mega star the likes of which MMA has never seen before.
     
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  3. ktrulez

    ktrulez blessed era

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    I would like to say Jon Jones but PEDs really taints his career for me.

    I went with GSP. He was active at the start of the decade then started to wind down after 2013. During his time off, he played a big part in ushering the whole PED testing to the sport. He captured the Middleweight title and has the UFC brass saying no to the Khabib fight because he may beat him.
     
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  4. Mamba

    Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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    In terms of pure dominance and talent, Jon Jones

    Overall, Conor. He changed the game in a very big way.
     
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  5. speeds

    speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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    This is a take I wasn't expecting. GSP sacrificed a lot to push the sport towards better testing and did so during a time where Zuffa were trying to sell the company and absolutely hated him for it. Unfortunately the UFC just don't seem committed to two things - taking any input from the fighters, which is not surprising with the way they view collective action, or rising above the uneven athletic commission rulings even when they are obviously in error. The UFC will never have a good PED program unless they are forced to.
     
  6. speeds

    speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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    Coin toss for me between Conor and Ronda. I voted for Conor.

    Ronda was arguably the most famous female athlete in the world at one point. She paved the way for women in the UFC which is incredible. But it all seemed incidental. I dont know if anything she's said or done has been to benefit the sport or if she was an aloof person the UFC marketing department strapped a rocket to. She left the sport so meekly and does not seem the least bit interested. Maybe her work is done? I have really mixed feelings about her. Maybe I'm unfair.

    Conor is just so transcendent. The sport has never had anyone like him. He might have been too successful too quickly. I don't think people will remember him like they remember Ali but he was pushing up on that level of importance. Unfortunately where Ali was a principled person who often took trash talk too far, McGregor is an asshole. Wasted opportunity.
     
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  7. speeds

    speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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    If I had to include another guy it would be Max. He has had a great decade as well.
     
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  8. Mamba

    Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Conor will be remembered the way Tyson was, I believe. Could have been so much more dominant but too much fame and money bit him in the ass. Not enough straight headed people around him.
     
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  9. SlyPokerCat

    SlyPokerCat cats rool dogs drool

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    Agreed and it is sad. Conor seemed like a good dude when he had nothing. Love watching him fight but can't stand him anywhere else anymore.
     
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