cross_trainer
07-30-2007, 06:07 PM
These guys are often looked upon as setups for Royce to wipe out the field. They were not a well-rounded lot (few were back then), but not bad either. Considering the tournament's budget, they did well in their selections--just because WE know today that "pure" stylists didn't do well does not mean that they did. They simply did not know WHAT sort of fighters would emerge victorious.
* Shamrock was the champion of the same organization that produced Bas Rutten.
* Dan Severn was a well-regarded amateur wrestler before he turned professional. Tough guy as well.
* Minoki Ichihara was the best heavyweight Daido Juku (Judo + Kyokushin) guy around.
* Orlando Wiet was a pretty good Muay Thai European kickboxer. Also had a boxing record, for what it was worth (8-8, most losses coming later in his career).
* Pat Smith won the Sabaki Challenge.
* Teila Tuli wasn't great, but he was the first foreigner to win a tournament in the makushita division.
* Art Jimmerson's record of 29-5 was decent, although I do not believe he was in the top 10 at the time as claimed.
* Gordeau was past his prime, but had a very good record in Kyokushin. I believe he was European champion at one time.
* Jason DeLucia went on to be ranked highly in Pancrase. I believe he fought for the title on at least one occasion.
* Emmanuel Yarbrough was the amateur world Sumo champion (recognized by the organization that participates in the World Games).
* Pardoel was supposed to be highly regarded in European Jujutsu, but I cannot ascertain the truth of this one.
Ironically, many of the "best" fighters did not do well. For a "setup", the UFC was pretty poor--the quality DECLINED as the tournament matured. One would expect the opposite if the Gracies wanted to give their fighter an easy victory at the beginning.
* Shamrock was the champion of the same organization that produced Bas Rutten.
* Dan Severn was a well-regarded amateur wrestler before he turned professional. Tough guy as well.
* Minoki Ichihara was the best heavyweight Daido Juku (Judo + Kyokushin) guy around.
* Orlando Wiet was a pretty good Muay Thai European kickboxer. Also had a boxing record, for what it was worth (8-8, most losses coming later in his career).
* Pat Smith won the Sabaki Challenge.
* Teila Tuli wasn't great, but he was the first foreigner to win a tournament in the makushita division.
* Art Jimmerson's record of 29-5 was decent, although I do not believe he was in the top 10 at the time as claimed.
* Gordeau was past his prime, but had a very good record in Kyokushin. I believe he was European champion at one time.
* Jason DeLucia went on to be ranked highly in Pancrase. I believe he fought for the title on at least one occasion.
* Emmanuel Yarbrough was the amateur world Sumo champion (recognized by the organization that participates in the World Games).
* Pardoel was supposed to be highly regarded in European Jujutsu, but I cannot ascertain the truth of this one.
Ironically, many of the "best" fighters did not do well. For a "setup", the UFC was pretty poor--the quality DECLINED as the tournament matured. One would expect the opposite if the Gracies wanted to give their fighter an easy victory at the beginning.