The Greatest Fighter Before Modern MMA

[cross_trainer]

Who was he, and how would he do today?

[Donut62]

Define "before MMA". Because that could mean prior 1993, or prior 3000 years ago really.

My guess is you are talking pre-UFC. Hard to say without head to head competition obviously. Have to think...

[Beebs]

leaning towards

Kimura - #1 vale tudo fighter in his day
James Jefferies - former #1 boxer with solid wrestling
Jack Dempsey - former #1 boxer with cross training in wrestling and submissions
Benny Uriquidez - very good kickboxer with judo, rumors of winning some sort of NHB event, forget the details.
Alexander Kaerlin - dominant wrestling and size/strength, probably has at least rudimentary Judo or Sambo training, father rumored to be boxer/boxing coach.

[cross_trainer]

Define "before MMA". Because that could mean prior 1993, or prior 3000 years ago really.

My guess is you are talking pre-UFC. Hard to say without head to head competition obviously. Have to think...

Before MMA as it's considered today. Pre-1993, and not including Brazilian Vale Tudo competitions of the 1950's and 60's.

[amhlilhaus]

I'd say danny hodge or paul berlenbach, both champion level wrestlers who branched out into boxing and did very well.

[Donut62]

I'll throw Gene LeBell into the mix.

[WiDDoW_MaKeR]

I would like to throw Frank Dux name out there.




















And now I would like to grab his name, and take it back. Because I was joking.

[cross_trainer]

I would like to throw Frank Dux name out there.




















And now I would like to grab his name, and take it back. Because I was joking.

That is not a joke. It is an atrocity.

[doefler182]

Danny Hodge gets my vote

world class wrestler and a golden gloves boxer

and the only man ive seen in his 80s who can still sqwish an apple with his bare hand!!!!:scaredas: