Quote:
Originally Posted by Palma
Baumgartner was like Couture is in MMA... he isn't the best of all time but he was successfull for the longest period of time.
Of course it's all debateble on who the best US freestyle wrestler is of all time, but most will tell you it's Smith or Gable and some will tell you it's Dave Shultz. Maybe I'm biased because I got to watch Smith wrestle throughout his prime, but I'm sticking with him as the best of all time.
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haha Couture wasn't successful for the long period he was in. He was active for a long time in the title picture (the grandest stage in MMA) but continually traded wins and losses.
Baumgartner was always in the grandest stage and repeatedly delivered. Also, having tied with the same amount of world/olympic championships as Karelin (probably the greatest greco wrestler of all time) is an amazing sign itself.
I'll definitely have a harder time arguing this though, your knowledge in amateur wrestling (from what I've noticed in the last 2 years) is top notch and the best on the forums.