That’s why I said MMA fight.
This
When I saw how quickly Jon smashed everybody then the way he handles Shogun, I knew we were witnessing something special. Not just a flash.
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Not really… Anyone who wrestled understood the advantage grapplers had over pure strikers. It was only the people who drank the TMA kool aide (admittedly, most people at the time) who were really shocked.
Fast forward a couple years to when the later confirmed rumors about Rorian stacking the brackets to favor Royce and any lingering shock should have dissipated.
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If I’m being honest it was probably Vitor due to his blinding hand speed…
I will say tho, that most fighters who ever caught my attention like that, later proved to be disappointments… They either flamed out quickly or, even if they became a champion, never really lived up to those first impressions.
That’sa very unflattering picture.
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Wrestling is it’s own community, and within that community they pretty much universally believe they are the best. And wrestling was represented in the early UFCs. But within the spectrum of combat sports and fighting arts at the time, wrestling was just one faction.
GJJ was still relatively unknown, and Royce was still the little guy beating bigger guys with techniques they didn’t seem to have an answer for – and at times doing it from his back.
Yes the results of the early UFCs were less surprising for some of us than others.
But even from a perspective of above average knowledge and experience – Royce still brought something that was eye-opening, and had to be understood going forward.
Also, Rorion could stack the deck as much as he wanted. Once the cage door closed it was still on Royce to get it done, and he did – against some very tough and capable opponents.
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Cassius Clay
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I can’t imagine wrestlers not being a little in awe when Royce choked out a very decorated wrestler in Severn who outweighed him by 80lbs.
people have always speculated about the brackets in the early UFCs. Was it actually confirmed they were rigged? Who confirmed that?
Even if they did, they did a pretty shit job of it.
UFC 1. Easy first round matchup. Round 2 was going to be Pat Smith or Shamrock. With Shamrock undoubtedly seen as the most difficult matchup for Royce. If they were truly stacking he should have been in the opposite bracket. Besides, Royce does beat the two most dangerous guys in Gourdeau and Shamrock
UFC 2. Easy first round. But field of 16 and a weak tournament overall. I imagine they viewed the most dangerous fighters in Weit, Remco and Smith. Two were in Royce’s half and anyway he beat 2/3.
UFC 3. Clearly setup for Shamrock vs Royce final. Royce gets Kimo in the first round and Yarborough potentially in the second before Shamrock. There’s really no argument for stacking in Royce’s favour. I would say on paper all 6 guys were potentially very tough fights for both Ken and Royce.
UFC 4. Yes easy first match for Royce. I suspect that was more for Van Clief that anything. Keep the old man from getting hurt. So sure, Royce is gifted an easy fight. Clearly setup up for Royce vs Severn. Second round wasn’t setup to be any easier than Severn’s.
There’s an argument for UFC 4. IMO that was to protect Van Clief more so than to protect Royce. But maybe there’s info that discredits this.
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I wouldnt say “rigged”. The whole Idea was for them to be able to showcase BJJ. Royce still had to go out there and take care of whoever was in front of him. Its why I respect Royce much more than I respect Rickson. Royce went out and put it on the line. Rickson was too worried about his reputation and looking bad. Royce took his lumps like a man. Rickson has maybe the best straight up jiu jitsu Ive ever seen in a gi. The way he moved was unreal. Its a shame we didnt get to see it actually tested.
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All of this.
Plus Ken being a consistent competitor in the early UFCs and evolving to be Royce’s most difficult matchup kind of throws a monkey-wrench in it.
I don’t see anything to take away from Royce’s initial run being as impressive as it was.
Drawing Kimo in UFC 3 certainly wasn’t protecting him.
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To be fair, they thought they were drawing a 240lbs. TKD black belt.
But Royce had to be ready for anything and everything.
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Royce and named my past dog after him
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Sure.
But as had been demonstrated, the TMA guys usually reverted less-than-technical brawling when outside of their usual familiar circles.
I guess in a way that’s taylor made for GJJ.
But it’s also unpredictable.
True, but aside from Shamrock and Manny, the other 5 were all one of boxing, kenpo, karate, muay thai, or TKD. I don’t think one or the other would be more worrisome for Royce. Kimo was the biggest and strongest of the batch.
This is awesome! I was always a big Dennis Alexio fan. I bet it was exciting seeing him fight live.
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Karo’s throws was something that was awesome and changed a lot of people’s opinion on the sport.
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I posted above about Jon blowing through Shogun.
Ironically Shogun beating the shit out of Rampage was a WHOA moment in time.
Just like Jon beating Shogun, Shogun beating Rampage was a “Things are changing very fast right now” moment.
Still think Karo could have beat Hughes.