Most Underrated Fighter of the Year

[ufobydeath]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

Whenever there is discussion in MMA of a fighter being "underrated", the question always has to be asked who who is doing the rating - hardcore fans or mainstream fans.

For example, right now Fitch is running away with this poll. If we are talking about mainstream fans underrating a fighter, then I agree Fitch is one of if not the most underrated (and mainstream, casual fans don't even know who Kid or Jake Shields are).

But if we are talking about hardcore fans? No way in hell Fitch is underrated. Everyone on this site was all over his nuts since last year, even before his performances this year. Most hardcore fans were ready to crown him the #2 WW in the world after only GSP, and that was before his performances this year including decisioning Diego.

So, in a topic like this (or, similarly, overrated), the "winner" depends greatly on exactly which group of viewers is doing the rating.

I always assume it's the mainstream fans; they don't know much but they sure like to share their opinions. Most of the Tito-hype comes from the mainstream fans for example, while most hardcore fans would say he's overrated.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by ufobydeath

I always assume it's the mainstream fans; they don't know much but they sure like to share their opinions. Most of the Tito-hype comes from the mainstream fans for example, while most hardcore fans would say he's overrated.

Understood; but that's an assumption you are making.

Speaking for myself, I would assume the opposite; boards like this are populated mostly by hardcore fans, so I make the assumption that polls like this are directed toward (and relate to) hardcore fans.

In which case, for hardcore fans it's a harder question to answer. Tim Sylvia has to be way up there, as even hardcore fans don't give him much props because they don't like him (I don't like him myself).

What I find interesting about how this poll is turning out, taking my earlier point further, is that #1 (by a wide margin) is Fitch, and #2 (by a hair) is Huerta.

I would argue that Fitch is underrated by mainstream fans, but certainly not by hardcore fans; yet Huerta, I would say, is underrated only by (a decent number of) hardcore fans who see him as still being hype - most mainstream fans, who saw him on SI and have seen him put a pretty good beating on everyone he has fought, probably rate him fairly or overrate him.

So, while you have the two-party thing going on (hardcore fans vs. casual fans), the fighter winning this poll is clearly underrated by one and not the other, but the second place is clearly (IMO) the exact opposite!

[ufobydeath]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

Understood; but that's an assumption you are making.

Speaking for myself, I would assume the opposite; boards like this are populated mostly by hardcore fans, so I make the assumption that polls like this are directed toward (and relate to) hardcore fans.

I agree, but at the same time it isn't really the hardcore fans who are pushing fighters; the mainstream orgs (that would be the UFC right now) and mainstream fans are. This still affects hardcore fans however... TUF is a perfect example.

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

In which case, for hardcore fans it's a harder question to answer. Tim Sylvia has to be way up there, as even hardcore fans don't give him much props because they don't like him (I don't like him myself).

Nobody likes Tim Sylvia. This is because he fights like he doesn't want to be in the cage. Is he underrated? I don't think so... I'd say he's a failed push by the UFC. That's just me though.

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

What I find interesting about how this poll is turning out, taking my earlier point further, is that #1 (by a wide margin) is Fitch, and #2 (by a hair) is Huerta.

I would argue that Fitch is underrated by mainstream fans, but certainly not by hardcore fans; yet Huerta, I would say, is underrated only by (a decent number of) hardcore fans who see him as still being hype - most mainstream fans, who saw him on SI and have seen him put a pretty good beating on everyone he has fought, probably rate him fairly or overrate him.

So, while you have the two-party thing going on (hardcore fans vs. casual fans), the fighter winning this poll is clearly underrated by one and not the other, but the second place is clearly (IMO) the exact opposite!

This is a really good point that I agree completely with, so consider yourself rep'd.

Silva's the only guy on the list that I can't imagine anyone voting for, casual fan or no! But I can see hardcore fans voting for Fitch and mainstream fans voting for Huerta which does make the poll kind of... confused.

[btp]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

Whenever there is discussion in MMA of a fighter being "underrated", the question always has to be asked who who is doing the rating - hardcore fans or mainstream fans.

For example, right now Fitch is running away with this poll. If we are talking about mainstream fans underrating a fighter, then I agree Fitch is one of if not the most underrated (and mainstream, casual fans don't even know who Kid or Jake Shields are).

But if we are talking about hardcore fans? No way in hell Fitch is underrated. Everyone on this site was all over his nuts since last year, even before his performances this year. Most hardcore fans were ready to crown him the #2 WW in the world after only GSP, and that was before his performances this year including decisioning Diego.

So, in a topic like this (or, similarly, overrated), the "winner" depends greatly on exactly which group of viewers is doing the rating.

Perfectly put. This is something that confuses every underrated thread. Were Fitch is definitely underrated by the mainstream he may even be overrated by the hardcores.

[kingrobert]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

Whenever there is discussion in MMA of a fighter being "underrated", the question always has to be asked who who is doing the rating - hardcore fans or mainstream fans.

For example, right now Fitch is running away with this poll. If we are talking about mainstream fans underrating a fighter, then I agree Fitch is one of if not the most underrated (and mainstream, casual fans don't even know who Kid or Jake Shields are).

But if we are talking about hardcore fans? No way in hell Fitch is underrated. Everyone on this site was all over his nuts since last year, even before his performances this year. Most hardcore fans were ready to crown him the #2 WW in the world after only GSP, and that was before his performances this year including decisioning Diego.

So, in a topic like this (or, similarly, overrated), the "winner" depends greatly on exactly which group of viewers is doing the rating.

Im not even so sure that Fitch should have won that decision over Diego. Diego was alot closer to ending that fight then Fitch was. The only reason Fitch won is cause he was 2 times bigger then Diego in that fight.

[notrightn0w]

Mainstream underrated: Jon Fitch.
Hardcore Fan Underrated: Roger Huerta.

They are both the most exciting up-and-coming fighters in the UFC right now. Which is crazy because they are basically opposites as far as their attention goes.

Hardcores love Fitch and go out of their way to bash Huerta. Whilst casuals love Huerta and could give a shit about Fitch. It's funny. As a Hardcore I don't see Fitch as underrated, we all love his skill set on hear and know that he's the only person (besides BJ) who could probably either beat or give a GSP a serious war at this point at 170. I don't have the Casual PoV anymore, so I can't vote Fitch on this one. I can see why people love Huerta by the same token, dude proved he can hang by finishing Guida, which many others (including: Din Thomas, Tyson Griffin, and Gilber Melendez) have failed to do. Do I think he can beat BJ Penn or Sean Sherk at the moment? NO. He has miles of heart though, and will give them a hell of a fight. I'm personally expecting his next fight to e against either Tyson Griffin or Frankie Edgar. which will be another amazing fight. He's got my vote, hands down.

[DevonFoxy]

Originally Posted by jkilla374

None of the above.

"The Answer"

You my Friend get major props from me being the only one to metion Frankie Edgar. This guy comes in beats an undefeated Tyson Griffin of whom may have a title shot right now if it were not for Edgar.

Then He beats Bocek who is very underrated and then he uterly destroys Spencer Fisher. He seriously just handed Fishers butt to him.

Frank Edgar is definitley the most underrated fighter from mainstream to Hardcore no one talks about him and its sad.

[notrightn0w]

Originally Posted by DevonFoxy

You my Friend get major props from me being the only one to metion Frankie Edgar. This guy comes in beats an undefeated Tyson Griffin of whom may have a title shot right now if it were not for Edgar.

Then He beats Bocek who is very underrated and then he uterly destroys Spencer Fisher. He seriously just handed Fishers butt to him.

Frank Edgar is definitley the most underrated fighter from mainstream to Hardcore no one talks about him and its sad.

Edgar is trouble for damn near everyone @ 155.

[DevonFoxy]

Thiago Tavares should get honorable mention as well.
He has some sick BJJ some of the best I've seen truly a wizard at his craft and has stand up to get him through a fight along with solid take downs.Besides the very close loss to Tyson the man is undefeated and beat highly regarded Jason Black making quick work of him.

Him and Edgar are guys that get forgotten in the mix at 155 but are definitely some of the spots that make the LW arguably the most stacked division in the UFC.

[blah]

i actually voted florian, i think the greatest disparity between a fighter's actual skills and fans' perception of a fighter's skill where skills are in reality better than a fan's perception of them lies with kenny. basically i haven't been impressed with sylvia, alot of people say silva is p4p top 3, most fans on this forum think jon fitch is very good, and huerta is allegedly overrated by alot of people (based on me hearing alot of people on this forum saying he's overrated...lol). since being underrated is the phenomenon of being better than what people think, my pick is for florian