As Couture said in the interview you posted vic credentials outside of MMA dont matter as much as how someone applies their skills within MMA(paraphrasing of course). I think Silva has applied his skills a little better, though its certain that Cro-cop has the better credentials. I believe Cro-cop is a better kickboxer, but within MMA Silva is the better striker.
Semmy was a top 10 MMA fighter and possibly the best, most accomplished and most well known striker outside of MMA. Overeem and Sergei would be another and thats just in the same division as CroCop. Then there was Igor V who was a monster in both MMA (regarded as the GOAT before Fedor) and kickboxing (he went through the Soviet Era though). Although going up against the GOAT in K-1 who was in his prime for his first K-1 fight wasnt a good idea. In saying that Igor did knock down Hoost several times, but the leg kicks did it for him. Igor had heart and never backed down, it was an amazing fight full of rock solid courage, courage that you dont see in many fighters today.
Semmy was not too relevant at MMA, so he doesn´t count....he was a decent fighter for a (small) amount of time and that was it. Never beat an opponent good enough to be considered a borderline great or something like that.. Between the ATGs or borderline ATGs....it´s between these two Cro Cop and AS IMO......but I voted CC. Igor is a great mention too, arguably among the best strikers ever, no doubt......but in terms of skills I don´t see him at the same level, in my view.....he is probably the hardest hitter ever in MMA history though..
Anderson is the best technical striker in MMA history.... he may not have hands as fast as a Belfort or his kicks may not be as powerful as a Cro-Cop but technically he`s the best in history IMO.
Not true. :nono Silva's MT isn't top draw by any stretch of the imagination. The best striker's have surely got to be the Thai MT fighters that turn over to MMA like the crazy ATG MT Champ Rambaa Somdet, aka M-16: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryTBnl56pHI[/ame] Check this nutty HL enjoy: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8vYbIzDLgs[/ame] Or Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai Sityodtong, aka 3-K Battery, aka Little Tyson. Ex WBA Super Featherweight Champ: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3rUgNsN0Eo"]www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3rUgNsN0Eo[/ame]
These men are not better strikers than Anderson Silva.. They aren't even champions at MMA. Sure they have the pedigree, but this is The MMA Section is it not? Here is the OP I don't think the best strikers in MMA sport records of 1-1 and 9-2 against weak opposition.. Rambaa Somdet is the same age as Anderson Silva, and never won a championship in MMA. But, you think he's just as good a striker? The two best strikers in MMA (Silva and CC) were/are champions, and the only thing Cro Cop ever won was the 2006 GP. CC still lost to the best in the world, the best in his division (Fedor) and came to The UFC, losing to several contenders.. Never earning a title shot.
I almost find this discussion insulting.. "In terms of striking skills for MMA?" How is Anderson Silva not the #1 striker while sitting at 15-0 with 10 title defenses in the most competitive organization in the world??
BobDigi my friend, I was simply responding to Bill Butcher's comment This content is protected This is quite clearly inaccurate Silva's MT wouldn't be good enough to compete at the top of the striking tree outside the MMA circuit, this is a guy that got rocked 3 times by Sonnen in the 1st round of their 1st fight, and as I understand it Sonnen's no striker he's a wrestler. Whereas the two guys mentioned above are legendary strikers in a land with the most competitive striking circuit in the world and are proven at the top level of striking internationally, Silva is not. You mentioned the word “pedigree”, what “great” pedigree in striking has Anderson got? However, he has clearly adapted his “brand” of MT to the cage very very well, better than most judging by the comments on this thread and everywhere else. I’m not doubting Anderson’s ATG MMA record or ability, I wouldn’t dream of doing that I don’t know enough about MMA to even do that, but I know striking and that’s what I was commenting on. Being a MMA ATG doesn’t mean you are a striking god, it means you are a god at adapting various martial arts into one powerful unique arsenal that works for the fighter or am I missing something here? I have nothing but respect and admiration for our MMA brothers who train just as hard and fight with just as much heart, but I’m surprised as MMA has taken so much form Muay Thai that you feel a Muay Thai guy’s voice and opinion shouldn’t be heard in an MMA forum that is open for debate. Maybe that’s why in the MMA world average striking occasionally gets mistaken for quality striking. :conf BobDigi, take it easy man, it’s a forum, we’re passionate and love combat sports and we all see things from a different mountain top. :good