The Best Fighter Outside the UFC: Pat Curran? |
| Posted By |
Message |
bjj1605
MMA Sensei
Career record: 889-537
Season: 20-4 (#531)
Location: Chicago
|
Story
No disrespect to Gilbert Melendez, Nate Marquardt, Gegard Mousasi, or the plethora of world class mixed martial arts talent fighting overseas.
Pat Curran is the best fighter not currently in the UFC.
The 24-year-old became the Bellator featherweight champion Friday after a destruction of Joe Warren.
Curran (17-4) knocked Warren out with a barrage of punches that followed a flush knee to the jaw in the third round of the main event at Bellator 60.
Warren is considered one of the best wrestlers in the sport, but Curran defended his takedown attempts with ease. The few times he was taken down he showed great hip escapes and scrambled back to his feet quickly, reminiscent of UFC champions Junior dos Santos and Benson Henderson.
Much like former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, Warren is also known for being able to take a world of punishment and keep moving forward, but Curran certainly stopped him in his tracks.
|
|
Post #1 3/14/12 6:32:00PM
|
|
|
bjj1605
MMA Sensei
Career record: 889-537
Season: 20-4 (#531)
Location: Chicago
|
I agree with the author.
I'd love to see Pat in the UFC against Aldo.
|
|
Post #2 3/14/12 6:33:43PM
|
Advertisement |
|
pmoney
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 524-304
Season: 19-5 (#343)
Location: PD, CA, USA
|
There's definitely a good case for Paddy Mike being the best fighter outside the UFC. He is a fantastic talent, imo, at Lightweight as well as Featherweight.
|
|
Post #3 3/14/12 6:44:57PM
|
Bubbles > jakewalters
Career record: 578-349
Season: 21-3 (#55)
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
|
I picked Melendez as he has beaten...more so dominated...virtually all of the top fighters outside the UFC (except for Alvarez and Chandler). Aoki was universally top 3 before that lopsided decision. Kawajiri was very highly regarded (#7-10 on almost every site) until he blasted through him. He has beaten strikers at their own game and has solid wrestling.
Curran is on a great run at FW, but the Bellator FW division imo isnt as good as the SF LW division.
_______________________________________
The best cure for insomnia is a lot of sex. Even if it doesn't end up putting you to sleep, you don't mind so much
Men be careful, female sexual predators are using a date rape drug called a Blowjob to trap men into scams called relationships.
|
|
Post #4 3/14/12 8:38:11PM
|
bjj1605
MMA Sensei
Career record: 889-537
Season: 20-4 (#531)
Location: Chicago
|
Posted by Bubbles
I picked Melendez as he has beaten...more so dominated...virtually all of the top fighters outside the UFC (except for Alvarez and Chandler). Aoki was universally top 3 before that lopsided decision. Kawajiri was very highly regarded (#7-10 on almost every site) until he blasted through him. He has beaten strikers at their own game and has solid wrestling.
Curran is on a great run at FW, but the Bellator FW division imo isnt as good as the SF LW division.
That said...
I'd pick Pat in a fight between those two.
|
|
Post #5 3/14/12 8:57:44PM
|
SURPRISE VAN CANDY!
Career record: 940-485
Season: 17-7 (#624)
Location: Seattle, WA
|
I also picked Melendez and would absolutely pick Melendez in a fight between the two.
_______________________________________
If I was 50 years younger I'd kick your ass!
|
|
Post #6 3/15/12 12:02:41AM
|
Steady MODdin'
Career record: 1016-583
Season: 17-7 (#771)
Location: Milwaukee
|
I picked Melendez, but a case could be made for Curran at this point. It seems to me that Curran is just now coming into his own and becoming a top fighter whereas Gil has been there awhile. It might not be long before I change my mind on this one.
|
|
Post #7 3/15/12 10:15:20AM
|
postman
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 564-321
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Delmont ,Pa
|
Posted by bjj1605
Posted by Bubbles
I picked Melendez as he has beaten...more so dominated...virtually all of the top fighters outside the UFC (except for Alvarez and Chandler). Aoki was universally top 3 before that lopsided decision. Kawajiri was very highly regarded (#7-10 on almost every site) until he blasted through him. He has beaten strikers at their own game and has solid wrestling.
Curran is on a great run at FW, but the Bellator FW division imo isnt as good as the SF LW division.
That said...
I'd pick Pat in a fight between those two.
You want explain why you would make that pick?
|
|
Post #8 3/15/12 10:44:05AM
|
Hammer of the Gods
Career record: 986-621
Season: 16-8 (#880)
Location: Hudson, NH
|
Posted by bjj1605 Warren is considered one of the best wrestlers in the sport, but Curran defended his takedown attempts with ease. The few times he was taken down he showed great hip escapes and scrambled back to his feet quickly, reminiscent of UFC champions Junior dos Santos and Benson Henderson.
I wouldn't say he did it with ease. Also you have to consider Warren weighed in at 145lbs with a title belt and suit on.
_______________________________________
All brave men with hearts of war, ride the path of mighty Thor.
DREAM 1 - 2nd in Pts
Cage Rage 23 - 6th in Pts
Secondary League Season 3 - 12th in Pts
Secondary League Season 7 - 16th in Wagers
Primary League Season 7 - 26th in Wagers
Secondary League Season 6 - 30th in Pts
Secondary League Season 1 - 31st in Pts
Primary League Season 6 - 39th in Wagers
Secondary League Season 7 - 41st in Pts
|
|
Post #9 3/15/12 10:56:00AM
|
bjj1605
MMA Sensei
Career record: 889-537
Season: 20-4 (#531)
Location: Chicago
|
Posted by postman
Posted by bjj1605
Posted by Bubbles
I picked Melendez as he has beaten...more so dominated...virtually all of the top fighters outside the UFC (except for Alvarez and Chandler). Aoki was universally top 3 before that lopsided decision. Kawajiri was very highly regarded (#7-10 on almost every site) until he blasted through him. He has beaten strikers at their own game and has solid wrestling.
Curran is on a great run at FW, but the Bellator FW division imo isnt as good as the SF LW division.
That said...
I'd pick Pat in a fight between those two.
You want explain why you would make that pick?
I think Pat has got more diverse striking and more power. I don't think Gil would be able to handle him on the feet and I don't think Gil could get him down.
I could see Gil picking him apart, maybe. But the more likely scenario for me would be Pat using some sprawl and brawl and landing the harder shots.
|
|
Post #10 3/15/12 8:15:23PM
|
|
