Bas Rutten: For Fedor to stay at the top he is going to have to fight top competition

[LookitsLance]

Originally Posted by Clint

It should atleast be "Bas States the Obvious About Fedor...Again"

its not only bas stating the obvious though..seriously, fedor and couture topics should have their own subforums

[eazye76]

I go to Warchief for my Bas Rutten news.

[Gmunit]

Originally Posted by KnowledgeKnown

Fedor could retire today and be considered one of the best MMA fighters to ever walk the earth. So my question is; Why is he still fighting, if he's not going to fight anyone who's even a moderate threat? Does he need the money? Somehow I doubt it. What he's doing now can only tarnish his legacy. There's no upside. Why do something that offers no advancement? I'm honestly confused by the whole thing. I on the other hand still believe he's the best p4p in the world. I believe he's proven it. I just don't understand the point of the fights he's taking now.

since its slow on here today I will respond (again) to this, and I'll try not to be long-winded:

Everyone talks about how Fedor hasn't fought anyone in years, Well with Pride folding this year and him having to pull out of the OWGP last year ('06) due to injury, it can look that way, but only because of the opponents that were available for him to fight at the time. He had already beaten the all the "Top Tier" guys in Pride (except Barnett) so the owners started pitting him against other guys who the JAPANESE fans wanted, while having Barnett, Crocop, Nog fight eachother (or other opponents)

Since deciding that the UFC wasn't for him, he's found a new org to fight in (M-1) who's owners will rent him out (so to speak) and allow him to defend his World Championship Sambo title which is obviously important to him and his country. When they decided to have him fight at the NYE event it was on pretty short notice and the opponent they gave him was HMC. Who is a big name in the Japanese market and a dangerous kickboxer as well. So again we have a "freak show" match that could've gone either way (keep in mind everyone has a "punchers chance" especially at 7'2" 350lbs, and he's the one that took Fedor down for GnP).

Which brings us to the present, where the only "competitive match" (IMO), who he hasn't beat, is still Barnett, who M-1 wouldn't allow Fedor to fight in place of HMC as his first match under their contract (and not event under their logo/show) in case he loses. Or he could fight Randy in a little while who (again IMO) has no business calling out Fedor, but I will let it go b/c of the time constraint due to Randy's age

So I ask: How is Fedor "ruining his legacy"?? by fighting when he is able to against the people that make sense to the owners of the companies (and THEIR fans) who hold his contract?? If he was in the UFC he wouldn't be able to turn down ANY fights, so his first one would probably be against Antoni Hardonk or some shit. BTW to those who will bring up "choosing" Lindland as an opponent, the guy is a world class wrestler and most-likely the only guy (at the time) that the UFC wasn't having contract negotiations with

If you want to talk about dropping him from number 1, then fine, but to say he's "ruining" something is ridiculous because no matter what he does in the future he still beat the fuck outta Nog and Crocop in their primes.

In a lot of cases I feel its mainly the UFC fans who talk shit about Fedor because they want to believe (or are mis-informed) that they are watching the "best fighters in the world" BAR-NONE, but that is not the case at all

(a lot of you guys believe what you will about the ranks and Fedor , and probably disagree with me and I'm not calling everyone who disagrees a "UFC Nut-hugger" because first, its not definatly true and second, there's nothing wrong with that as long as you realize there's a lot more Ultimate Fighting worldwide, LOL)

[CESSPOOL]

While I agree 100% you have to fight the best to reamin at the top, but is his Sambo being overlooked?

Yes it was a side show to watch him fight HMC, but he is the Combat Sambo champion for how long? This is no walk in the park I'm sure. It isn't a "this organization has this great HW" thing either. The best in the world show up and Fedor wins. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Combat Sambo closer to MMA/vale tudo than it would be to say, Tai-kwon-do? I think that is very legit and should play a big part in keeping him ready for a legit MMA fight. Just cause he fought HMC doesn't mean he should drop all these places on the top 10 HW and Pound for pound rankings. I think the Sambo Tournies need to be factored in also.

I think it is kinda crappy of Dana to want him to cut them out too inorder for a UFC contract. This is a big part of who he is as a fighter and you could even argue it is a part of his training for MMA. I know some other fighters under contract do NAGA. While it is grappling only, it is still a combat sport.

I think the fight with HMC was blown out of proportion. A fight with someone that big would be a challange for anyone. Besides, it was amusing....

[Fightfan001]

GMUNIT : Nicely said. You make the most sense out of anyone that has posted about Fedor situation.

In regards to the rank I still wonder where everyone would actually put Fedor on the list if they want him removed form the top ?

Who has been so dominating the last 2 years while he has been out of the mix that deserves that spot ?

I am curious for your answers. I sure hope whoever you pick has not suffered a loss in the last two years.

[KnowledgeKnown]

Originally Posted by Gmunit

since its slow on here today I will respond (again) to this, and I'll try not to be long-winded:

Everyone talks about how Fedor hasn't fought anyone in years, Well with Pride folding this year and him having to pull out of the OWGP last year ('06) due to injury, it can look that way, but only because of the opponents that were available for him to fight at the time. He had already beaten the all the "Top Tier" guys in Pride (except Barnett) so the owners started pitting him against other guys who the JAPANESE fans wanted, while having Barnett, Crocop, Nog fight eachother (or other opponents)

Since deciding that the UFC wasn't for him, he's found a new org to fight in (M-1) who's owners will rent him out (so to speak) and allow him to defend his World Championship Sambo title which is obviously important to him and his country. When they decided to have him fight at the NYE event it was on pretty short notice and the opponent they gave him was HMC. Who is a big name in the Japanese market and a dangerous kickboxer as well. So again we have a "freak show" match that could've gone either way (keep in mind everyone has a "punchers chance" especially at 7'2" 350lbs, and he's the one that took Fedor down for GnP).

Which brings us to the present, where the only "competitive match" (IMO), who he hasn't beat, is still Barnett, who M-1 wouldn't allow Fedor to fight in place of HMC as his first match under their contract (and not event under their logo/show) in case he loses. Or he could fight Randy in a little while who (again IMO) has no business calling out Fedor, but I will let it go b/c of the time constraint due to Randy's age

So I ask: How is Fedor "ruining his legacy"?? by fighting when he is able to against the people that make sense to the owners of the companies (and THEIR fans) who hold his contract?? If he was in the UFC he wouldn't be able to turn down ANY fights, so his first one would probably be against Antoni Hardonk or some shit. BTW to those who will bring up "choosing" Lindland as an opponent, the guy is a world class wrestler and most-likely the only guy (at the time) that the UFC wasn't having contract negotiations with

If you want to talk about dropping him from number 1, then fine, but to say he's "ruining" something is ridiculous because no matter what he does in the future he still beat the fuck outta Nog and Crocop in their primes.

In a lot of cases I feel its mainly the UFC fans who talk shit about Fedor because they want to believe (or are mis-informed) that they are watching the "best fighters in the world" BAR-NONE, but that is not the case at all

(a lot of you guys believe what you will about the ranks and Fedor , and probably disagree with me and I'm not calling everyone who disagrees a "UFC Nut-hugger" because first, its not definatly true and second, there's nothing wrong with that as long as you realize there's a lot more Ultimate Fighting worldwide, LOL)

Uhhg. Apparently you mis interpreted my post. you put "ruin" his legacy in quotes as if i said that. You can't put something in quotes if I didn't actually say it. Read my post again. "tarnish" was the word I used. If you understood my post you would see it seems we agree on most points. I think with me saying he has proven he's the best MMA fighter to ever walk the earth and I still consider him the best p4p would have made that clear. But let me take time out of my busy day to re-explain. lol. I love when people start their post out like that. It's so condescending. Let me use a metaphor. I producer voice over demos for Voice talent all over the country. People you hear every day. I don't put material on their demo that doesn't increase their value. In other words, putting a piece that doesn't show them in the best light, or something they've done before is pointless. There is no upside to it, only a potential downside to it. What I am saying is; There's no one left for Fedor to fight outside of the UFC, and i'm not even convinced that there's anyone in the UFC thats worth his time. He's already proven himself. He's beaten anyone worth a damn. So what's the point in beating fighters who don't and may never figure into the heavyweight picture. If Fedor somehow loses to one of these guys, then what? It matters to his legacy. If he beats them...who really cares? This is my point. He's done it all at this time. So you see we pretty much agree here. But thanks for taking time out to set me straight. I never mentioned him dropping in rank, in fact quite the opposite. But you quoted my post and went on to say things that had nothing to do with what I posted. Am I on crazy pills? Fedor's the man until proven otherwise. It's really that simple. Maybe you weren't flaming my post, I just can't tell on this board anymore. lol. But i'm with you on this one.

[BigBanda]

I always enjoy interviews with Bas because he just tells it straight and well he is the man as well lol. Anyways whether you back Fedor on his decision to sign with M-1 or not... the fact is that he is NOT fighting top competition by signing with them and he has not had a high caliber fight in some time. Some say Lindland was but no way he should of been for Fedor. Lindland is a top MW competitor, not a HW. I believe slowy Fedor may drop in the rankings unless he gets a win over a top HW that is not locked in with Zuffa. Only person that comes to mind would be Barnett.

[UFC-chef/Hughes-fan]

I don't know why fedor has ducked the UFC. If he's so good he should run through all the heavy weights he needs to prove it by coming and facing guys like Tim Sylvia.

[Gmunit]

Originally Posted by Fightfan001

GMUNIT : Nicely said. You make the most sense out of anyone that has posted about Fedor situation.

In regards to the rank I still wonder where everyone would actually put Fedor on the list if they want him removed form the top ?

Who has been so dominating the last 2 years while he has been out of the mix that deserves that spot ?

I am curious for your answers. I sure hope whoever you pick has not suffered a loss in the last two years.

i would take him off the list completely, because there no logical choice to go above him

Originally Posted by KnowledgeKnown

Uhhg. Apparently you mis interpreted my post. you put "ruin" his legacy in quotes as if i said that. You can't put something in quotes if I didn't actually say it. Read my post again. "tarnish" was the word I used. .

sorry, i had "ruin" in my mind, you did use "tarnish", i won't try argue to how they could be construed as the same, but I was basically commmenting ONLY on that statement because as you said, most of the points we did agree on

I thought that I explained well enough where your view and mine differ, I for one, can see the logic in his opponents (for the time being) even though down the line I want to see EVERYONE consider him the best, as I do

[scottsec]

Originally Posted by UFC-chef/Hughes-fan

I don't know why fedor has ducked the UFC. If he's so good he should run through all the heavy weights he needs to prove it by coming and facing guys like Tim Sylvia.