Who do you rank higher in all-time terms: Tito Ortiz or Rampage Jackson?

Both men came off worse vs their biggest rivals (Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva respectively).

But both still had solid careers. Who was the greater fighter in your opinion? :bbb

 

Rampage all the way.

In terms of I'd say Tito had better wrestling skills, but Rampage had a better all-round skillset. Tito's striking skills were mediocore at best, but Jackson at least developed some basic boxing skills. Sure, not enough to compete with guys on the level of Wanderlei and Shogun, but he was able to KO Chuck Liddell - a good westler and kickboxer.

Tito was an important part in the UFC getting a foot in the door in terms of mainstream acceptance through his rivalry with Ken Shamrock, but his record isn't all that impressive. I know he ran up five consecutive title defences, but the level of opposition he was facing makes it seem a little unimpressive - few of them had the skillset to negate his wrestling skills. Matyushenko, for example, was a fellow wrestler and while nobody would have expected him to be dominated by Tito quite as easily as he was, he was hardly going to give him problems on the feet. (Funnily enough these days The Janitor would probably KO him....) I know he was a late sub for Vitor Belfort, but still. Another defense was against a broken-down Ken Shamrock, who came in with ACL problems.

I know Tito has some decent wins under his belt - but not enough to compare with Rampage. I think the quality of fighter in PRIDE was better at his time, and wins over Murilo Bustamante and Chuck Liddell are not to be sniffed at. As controversial as the endings in their fights he did also KO Ricardo Arona, and decision Ninja Rua. Throw in his victory over Hendo, and I think he's got a better record than Tito.

 

Yeah, getting a gift decision is a colossal achievement.


Almost submitting that same Machida with a triangle? Pah.

Winning the UFC lhw title against Wanderlei Silva? Pish-posh.

Making 4 defences before losing it to Randy? Piffle.


Great comment. Close thread here.
















:admin

 

If you seriously think a joke decision against a gunshy Machida is better than everything I listed there, you must be a total moron.

 

I'm inclined to agree with this post.