Igor Vovchanchyn, I think. He looks like such a humble, mild little guy, too. But he was Fedor before Fedor, and the fights that this 210lb guy had and won against multiple 300lb dudes in one night blew my mind away at the time.
Great sense of humour too. The Frye Moustache Controversy: This content is protected He also took on Jerome Le Banner in a K1 match will little prior kickboxing experience which imho, is just crazy. Balls of iron, that one.
IMO Don Frye and to a lesser extent Dan Severn showed the way then Pat Miletic sharpened it and taught us how to work as a team. Most of these modern fans talk Gracie, Fedor but these guys above are the godfathers of true MMA and its applications IMO, not safety first McCain MMA we have today.
I say Mir but that's purely because I have trained with him. I usually prefer watching guys like Maia, Aoki, Werdum and Nog because I train BJJ so I enjoy watching high level grappling. I didn't root for anyone prior 2017 because I didn't really watch MMA back then. As I've been watching it lately I've enjoyed the rise and fall of guys like Liddell and Wandy, I've marvelled at the brilliance of Sakuraba and the initiative of Gracie. I loved the arrogance of guys like Randleman, Coleman and Kerr. But I haven't been a fan of anyone. Currently right now I suppose i have to say Bisping because he's English but I'm not sure I'm an active fan of his. My head coach is an active MMA fighter but I'm not saying his name on here. So taking away Bisping is there anyone I actually want to win? I say the closest is Werdum, I'd love it if he dethroned Miocic.
Igor Vovchanchyn (All time great small heavyweight in an era with no weightclasses) Mirko Cro Cop (ATG-Most successful Kickboxer in mixed martial arts, legendary take down defense). Fedor Emelianenko (All time great Sambo warrior). Stipe Miocic (More refined version of Cro Cop, future All time great). Shogun Rua ( All time Great Muay Thai fighter) Lyoto Machida (All time Great Karateka) Chuck Liddell (ATG striker in MMA) Wanderlei ( Legendary Vale Tudo ATG)
Yeah, True talents. Igor dropped Ernesto hoost with a punch when they kickboxed, but lost after getting his legs kicked to death soon afterwards.