Opinion --- Sakuraba the Greatest ever

**blankslate** · Posted On: 1/18/2004 11:11pm

http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com/wo...t.asp?aID=9430

**albert** · Posted On: 1/18/2004 11:17pm

Pretty informative. I didn't know weight is supposedly so important.

**shemfu** · Posted On: 1/18/2004 11:18pm

All I have to say is Vanderlei Silva. Vanderlei Silva. Vanderlei Silva.

**blankslate** · Posted On: 1/18/2004 11:20pm

Yes, Silva, but overall, look at his TOTAL picture of accomplishments. Even Ali lost a few...

**shemfu** · Posted On: 1/18/2004 11:23pm

But not thrice to the same guy. I have to concede, though, that Sakuraba is an AMAZING fighter, but he's not the greatest. I would have to see him fight and defeat Rickson before I could knock Rickson off that pedastool.

**blankslate** · Posted On: 1/18/2004 11:25pm

Rickson is great also.

Correct, Ali never lost three times to the same person. I don't know if we could compare the weight class as much as in boxing either. I suppose grappling can negate more of the weight factor than boxing can.

**shemfu** · Posted On: 1/18/2004 11:32pm

I would have to say so, too. There are so many factors involved with MMA or NHB that to lay that much blame to weight is just ludicrous. Sakuraba is so talented it's sick, and I give him all due credit (he'd certainly pummel my pudgy ass without much problem). However, to surmise that weight has that much to say, then shouldn't people like Paul Varelans or Bob Sapp be more successfull? I mean, in Bonjasky vs. Sapp, Bonjasky handled the hell outta Sapp.... I think Sakuraba is just skilled as hell, and THAT, combined wiht constant good training, is the determining factor to his great victories. Silva just saw away around it, and I don't think that Sakuraba has dealt with too many fighters that, like Silva, love to just ground and pound.

**Punisher** · Posted On: 1/18/2004 11:46pm

"But not thrice to the same guy. I have to concede, though, that Sakuraba is an AMAZING fighter, but he's not the greatest. I would have to see him fight and defeat Rickson before I could knock Rickson off that pedastool."

Who did Rickson ever fight? Seriously. Takada? Give me a break. Why did Rickson never fight Sakuraba? Sakuraba beat all the other Graices. You think that would be enough incentative for Rickson to step up and get in the the ring. But it wasn't. Too much to lose. Rickson is the Gracie trump card. Not matter what happens they will always have Rickson.

**Punisher** · Posted On: 1/18/2004 11:52pm

Silva may be the new Sakuraba, meaning the best in the business right now and for years to come. Remember Sakuraba is 7 or 8 years older than Silva. Sakuraba had already hit his peak before the first time they fought. Silva may not have reached his peak yet.

**FingerorMoon?** · Posted On: 1/19/2004 5:30am

I'd give the nod to Sakuraba.
Silva may have his number but he is fighting up a weight class.

Rickson has been avoiding him for years now.
After Sak beat every other famous Gracie, there wasn't a MMA fan on the planet that wasn't hanging to see the big showdown. Rickson went all silent though...