Royce vs Hughes question.

[Big Daddy Duker]

Royce in his prime was not substantively better than he is now. That's the thing with Royce, he never developed. Poor Kenny Shamrock seemed to have done some developing, but by the time he did it he was too old & punch drunk to compete anymore. Royce is and has always been extremely one dimensional. Speculating about him in his prime isn't really worth while, because almost nothing has changed. Besides, the whole point with Royce was that he wasn't a physcial specimen. He was beating people based on superior knowledge. Now that he doesn't have that edge anymore, I'd have to assume that he'd get schooled by most fighters who have any real talent.

[Dork8503]

royce's bjj is crazy good, but i still think in prime matt would win, I think matt would just slam him down and pound on him like he did, only difference i think the fight would last about 10 minutes longer

[slonebone]

Matt Hughes in his prime I never knew he was not in his prime any more would beat a prime Royce. Only way Royce would have a chance is if he were able to wear a GI most of Royces fights he won would have been alot harder for him if he did not have a Gi on.

[noahm]

I would have to say Matt just due to physical strength, but the rules just don't allow for Gracie's style. He used to take a beating, but it never seemed to bother him. He just worked the kidneys and stuff from guard until finally got a sub. He is very slow and methodical and can take amazing punishment. Now they will stand you up, or call the fight if taking too much of a beating. It would be interesting to see Gracie in his prime with old rules. Still real tough to counter Hughes' strength.

[rockernhb]

It would be the same outcome either in his prime or not. I can't believe that this is even a question. Matt has knowledge in several different areas, not just one. Yeah, Royce is a legend that deserves respect, but he got beat by a better more talented fighter plain and simple. If Royce is the greatest of all the first generation fighters, than there is no doubt that Hughes is the greatest of the second generation of fighters. And it looks like GSP will be the next one in line... Just my opinion so I hope no one has a hissy fit over this...

[Dork8503]

to be honest i dont think a prime gracie could compete with most of todays fighters, i would have much rather seen gsp vs gracie, gsp would have tore his ass up

[Beowulf]

yeah i dont see how gracie in his prime beating hughes, those fighters he beat who had great wrestling, had no jj, granted hughes jj isnt great, but its still good enough to defend submissions and put some on himself

[The Sundance Kid]

Yea, is say Pride Hughes over a Pride Gracie, Hughes is the more well rounded fighter. (believe it or not)

[Monsterman]

Royce gave Yoshida a beating, so he obiously wouldn´t "get schooled by most fighters who have any real talent." He is not at the top but he´s not as bad as he looked against Hughess either. Just a little too one-dimensional for todays top guys.

[tapper]

Originally Posted by dork8503

to be honest i dont think a prime gracie could compete with most of todays fighters, i would have much rather seen gsp vs gracie, gsp would have tore his ass up

why would you want him to get destroyed by gsp.