Here are the criteria that I used i choosing
a) What they have actually done for the Sport and how they helped it grow
b) Their popularity, not only in hardcore fans but in casual fans itself
c) A proven winning record from a proven winning org
d) Must be an MMA fighter (So yeah, that does not include Bruce Lee or Carlos Gracie)
Here's the list
10) Fedor Emelianenko
While arguably the best Mixed Martial Artist in the sport's short history, one reason why Fedor is this low in my rankings is because he hasn't really changed the sport drastically compared to the other 9 fighters below. Plus, add to it the fact that Fedor is basically unknown in casual fans in North America, some parts of Europe and even here in the Philippines. Fedor of course is being treated like God in Japan and Russia, which he truly deserves btw, and still the Number 1 Heavyweight in the world right now.
9) Wanderlei Silva
If you would ask a fan who's been watching MMA for quite some time, who's the most exciting fighter in Mixed Martial Arts.. I guess you'll get Wanderlei Silva 8 out of 10 times. The name Wanderlei Silva is synonymous to the words exciting and warrior. Ruled in Japan for five years, stopping legends, future champs and big named fighters at that time. He even fought guys who were heavier than him, all for the sake of his fans.. all for the sake of entertainment. Wanderlei Silva truly is one of the most influential MMA fighters of all time
8) Tito Ortiz
Along with the rise of MMA as a sport comes this blond guy who slams people, elbows them to death, give them the finger and dig a grave for them. Yes, his name is Tito Ortiz.
I'm really disappointed with how unappreciative some fans can be. While MMA was on its dark ages, Tito Ortiz was almost on everybody's mouth. Everybody was talking about Tito, heck Tito for once was one of the most feared men in the UFC. Tito was also a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, defended it for five times and was a part of two of the most talked about feuds in mainstream MMA.
7) Bas Rutten
Everybody loves Bas. How can you not? He's one of the pioneers of Mixed Martial Arts and also one of the respected strikers in the sport. Bas has this charisma, which everybody seem to love and of course, the fighting pedigree to back his charisma up.
After retiring, Bas went on to be a commentator in Pride FC for Japan and there, the term was coined, "When Bas talks, everybody listens"
6) Ken Shamrock
Known to many as the most dangerous man, Ken Shamrock is also a pioneer of the sport. Having fought since UFC 1, Shamrock turned heads with his deadly submissions and hot temper. Shamrock is also the founder of the Lion's Den, an MMA team which produced great fighters back then.
Shamrock was also known for being a part of one of the most talked about feuds in MMA against Tito Ortiz. Although Ken would lose all three of their matches, Ken would always be remembered as one of the all time greats which helped popularize the sport in it's darkest times.
5) Frank Shamrock
Frank is another pioneer in the sport who may not match up with his brother's fame, but definitely has an advantage when it comes to skill set alone.
He's known as probably the first ever well rounded MMA fighter in history. Has the ability to stand up and trade with good boxers, kick boxers and muay artists and has the ability to roll with the best grapplers in the sport. That's why he's still around even if the sport has evolved ten folds.
4) Randy Couture
Just like Bas Rutten, who doesn't love Randy Couture? Well probably Dana White but he hates everybody who's against him so.. that doesn't count. Randy is probably one of the classiest fighters ever. Known for his superior wrestling skills, Couture is still the only man in UFC History to win a title five times.
However, he's more known to casual fans as "the old guy" who beats up really big people, that of course is with reference to Randy's return title match against Tim Sylvia, which he won in dominating fashion and his dominance of rising Heavyweight Contender Gabriel Gonzaga.
3) Kazushi Sakuraba
A list of the most influential fighters of all time without Kazushi Sakuraba is not only blasphemous, it's also downright disgusting. Kazushi Sakuraba is definitely the most influential Asian in the Sport. Sakuraba in Japan is like Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines.. that's how influential this guy is. Sakuraba is a part of probably the most epic battle of all time, a 90 minute war against Royce Gracie.. and at that time, that was like the equivalent of Ali vs Frazer in Boxing.
Sakuraba was known for his exciting style of fighting and never say never attitude. Back in his prime, Sakuraba would fight fighters who was 20 to 30 pounds heavier than him. That's why everybody respects him and his legacy in this sport.
2) Chuck Liddell
Do I really need to write something about this guy? Let's just say he's the king of mainstream MMA. Dominated the UFC Light Heavyweight Division for quite sometime, winning it most by knock out. If you would go out and ask a casual fan who's their favorite fighter, you would get the answer Chuck Liddell 7/10 times. Now after that, try asking them who they first saw when they first watched MMA.. you'll get the answer Chuck Liddell 9/10 times
The hype this guy is having right now is just crazy, the magazine covers, the commercials, the shirts, the mohawks.. everything. Every wants to be this guy.. that's why he's number 2 in my list.
And now the most influential fighter of all time..
1)Royce Gracie
If you're watching a street fight, and you see a dork looking dude who's fighting a guy 50 pounds heavier than him, what would you first think? PWNAGE right? Well let's say after sticking around to watch a random guy get beat, you actually saw this dork looking dude break his opponent's arm in two what would you think? Right, awesomeness.
That's exactly what I thought when I first watched Royce Gracie and I know 50% of MMA fans thought that too.
Royce is actually the one who got me interested in MMA (Alongside Tito since I watched the Gracie fights on re runs) He wasn't a man in my opinion, he was just out there, breaking arms and choking out people and nobody had a clue on how he's doing it. That turned out to be a technique called Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a technique that's being used by MMA fighters now world wide.
Other fighters that are worth noting
Matt Hughes
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Mark Coleman
Dan Severn
Georges St.Pierre
BJ Penn
Don Frye
Anderson Silva
Mirko Cro Cop
Pat Militech
Comments and violent reactions are recommended. :D
