In the world of MMA it seems as if every great fighter has crashed into their kryptonite somewhere along their fight path. Also know as an Achilles' heel, it’s the one weakness of an otherwise invulnerable hero.
Style determines so much in a match-up and no matter how great a fighter is there is always someone that is a perfect counteract.
The lone exception to this rule is Fedor Emelianenko and hence forth will be referred to as the Fedor Phenomenon.
I thought it might be fun to rank the fighter’s who were the worst kryptonite to another fighter. Rankings will be based not just on how bad they beat that fighter, but also what were the effects to the losing fighter’s career, as well as historical perspective.
Good things come in three’s but we will also consider a two fight series.
So let us get on with the rankings:
7. Fedor Emelianenko over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Most pundits would consider these two men the No. 1 and No. 2 greatest heavyweights of all-time respectively. They fought a total of three times with Fedor winning twice. Their second fight was ruled a no contest due to accidental cut. In both of Fedor’s victories he had to go all three rounds to get the decision victory.
This is more then most of his opponent’s can say. While the wins were devastating to Nog he didn’t let them deter him and he has gone on to find success outside of Pride as the UFC’s current interim heavyweight champ. Because of this, the kryptonite is a lot less severe.
6. Mirko Cro Cop over Josh Barnett
Josh Barnett has five career losses and three of those are at the hands of Cro Cop. Cro Crop was creative in how he chose to get his victories. In their first fight he submitted him. In the second fight, which was an immediate rematch, Mirko let it go to a decision. In their third and final battle Cro Crop ended the fight via strikes.
While Barnett has wins over Dan Severn, Semmy Schilt (2), Randy Couture, Yuki Kondo, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Pedro Rizzo, his three losses to Cro Crop have probably solidified his spot outside of the greats. The only thing that could probably undo the damage done by Mirko would be a win over Fedor in a possible upcoming Affliction card.
Despite all this Barnett is a laid back fun-loving fighter who didn’t let the kryptonite be his ultimate downfall. Good for him.
5. Anderson Silva over Rich Franklin
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3 months ago
Sakuraba over any Gracie is #1 in my book. Nice read though.
from 3 months ago
Good catch man, Sakuraba's exploits over the Gracie's are legendary. Thanks for the addition!
3 months ago
Chuck didn't avenge his loss to Wanderlei it was the first and only time they have fought.
3 months ago
Chuck didn't avenge his loss to Wanderlei it was the first and only time they have fought.
3 months ago
Nick,
Crap, thanks for catching the mistake. I'm not sure why I used the word avenging. Thanks for the edit and I will fix it.
3 months ago
how bout the Detroit Pistons over LA Lakers?? haha just kiddin..great article Brian... Well i still hope chuck can still get back at the belt one last time...
from 3 months ago
Ha, I do love my NBA. Sounds like you need to write your first article bro! Thanks for the support. I would like to see Chuck get one last shot. Maybe thats another article....What has to happen for Liddell to get one more shot. Looking forward to your first article =)
Thanks Ramon
3 months ago
I would like to unofficially add Tito Ortiz over Ken Shamrock to the list. In honor of the wounded warrior. Let us hope that Elite XC doesnt get any crazy ideas and try to schedule a 4th fight between these two warriors.
3 months ago
I'd like to add Liddell vs Babalu, Liddell victorious both times, the second time resulting in one of the best shots ever thrown, Liddell running backwards, balance backwards, defensive posture, and throws a punch from that 'weaker' stance that crumbles Babalu and the fight's over. Beautiful to watch.
from 3 months ago
Jay,
Thanks for the contribution. That was one of the better shots thrown in the UFC. Great recap of the action too! Who would you drop off the list to add this one to it?
3 months ago
I'd like to add Liddell vs Babalu, Liddell victorious both times, the second time resulting in one of the best shots ever thrown, Liddell running backwards, balance backwards, defensive posture, and throws a punch from that 'weaker' stance that crumbles Babalu and the fight's over. Beautiful to watch.
from 3 months ago
You decided it was such a great comment you wanted to say it again huh!
3 months ago
It's Rich Franklin by the way, not Rick
from 3 months ago
Damn! Thanks Corry. I am so thankful I have good editors on this site. It just so happens the J and K keys are right next to each other on the keyboard. Thats my only defense.
3 months ago
H and the K!
2 months ago
I loved this article man, great job. i'd like to add Wanderlei Silva over Kazushi Sakuraba, who he beat three times in PRIDE, and also Chuck Liddell over Randy Couture, also Fabricio Werdum over Gabriel Gonzaga. one thing I'd like to point out is that Cro Cop didnt actually sub Barnett in their first fight, it was a weird shoulder injury that happened early in the fight, but for some reason its counted as a submission. oh also Wanderlei Silva over Hidehiko Yoshida , and Fedor Emelianenko over Mark Coleman.
from 2 months ago
Great additions to the list and thanks for correcting my mistake! I am glad I asked you to look it over.
While I have been a huge UFC fan I am still going back and catching on the Pride Days. Wow, that was a great organization.
I actually had Liddell over Couture and Couture over Belfort in contention. I should have went with top 10 or 12 but I went with top 7.
I would love it if you wrote a companion piece to this article; maybe do part two. What do you think?
about 1 month ago
great article. cant really think of any more that you and others have suggested
from about 1 month ago
Thanks David
Hopefully for Rampage, and his fans, he can beat Wanderlei and move down the list!
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