The UFC's domination...or lack there of

[Luke]

I was always one to believe the best fighters were not in the UFC..... at least not all of them and I think the recent records of those that came from outside the organization proves this.

Bendo-WEC- current 155 champ
Pettis-WEC-current #1 contender at 155
Cormier-Strikeforce- future 205 or HW #1 contender
Lawler-Strikeforce- just defeat KOS who was top 5 at 170
Werdum-Strikeforce , top 5 HW
Bigfoot-Strikeforce-fighting for HW the title
Mark Hunt-Pride-nuff said
Reem- Strikeforce- smashed former champ Lesnar , top 5 HW

I'm not even going to count the Lavar Johnson's , Jake Shields , Souza, Rockhold, Hendo or other fighters that only have a few wins in the UFC or have yet to fight. And lets not even get into the PRIDE fighters that came over.Without all the fighters that came from outside the organization, they may only have 50% of the most talented fighters in the world. No point really, just bored

[MMA_scientist]

WEC was straight up superior at LW. That's pretty much a fact now. I never felt that the UFC's HW's were as good as the non-UFC heavy's. At this point in time though, in 2013, they pretty much have all but a few of the best fighters. In the past, there was some marketing hype propping up the talent a little, but now, I can't even think of 5 fighters I would like to see in the UFC. Askren, Chandler... that's all I can think of. I would like to see Freire in the UFC at his rightful weightclass. I would like to see Bibiano fight at 135. But really, they have everyone at this point. There are probably a bunch of 125 and 135 pounders out there that are as good or better than the UFC comp, I just don't pay enough attention to those classes to know who they are.

[edman5555]

They are missing Barnett, King mo, shlemenko, Rick hawn is pretty good, and they have megumi Fuji.

[MMA_scientist]

They are missing Barnett, King mo, shlemenko, Rick hawn is pretty good, and they have megumi Fuji.

I have seen Barnett fight Cormier, so I know he won't be champ. I seriously doubt he would fare better against Cain or JDS. I don't think he would beat Overeem or Werdum either. I would love to see Mir/Barnett though. King Mo can't even beat the Bellator tourney field, who cares. Rick Hawn... eh, he clearly isn't a top 5 type guy. I feel the same way about Schlemenko... if Lombard can't get it done, Schlemenko definitely can't. I don't think any of those guys would be more than gatekeepers.

[edman5555]

Oh I just meant that they would be good. Not champions. Maybe mo would have a chance.

[Svino]

You know who the UFC doesn't have that I bet would beat most of their WW roster? Jon Fitch.

Is Megumi Fujii retired? I seem to remember a lot of people saying her end-of-2012 fight was "probably her last".

[edman5555]

Lol good point.

[SPX]

WEC was straight up superior at LW.

You think WEC Bendo or Pettis would've beaten Penn while he was on his pre-Edgar path of destruction?

[SPX]

Is Megumi Fujii retired? I seem to remember a lot of people saying her end-of-2012 fight was "probably her last".

My understanding is that she's retired, yeah.

[Svino]

You think WEC Bendo or Pettis would've beaten Penn while he was on his pre-Edgar path of destruction?

I would guess not, but then, Penn was always a little hard to call.

[SPX]

I talked to Bendo for an article for the mag once right after he won the belt. He said he went to Hilo to train with Penn and Penn beat his ass.

But you're right, who knows how it would've really gone down if that fight had happened.

[MMA_scientist]

You think WEC Bendo or Pettis would've beaten Penn while he was on his pre-Edgar path of destruction?

I don't see why not. Bendo would certainly be favored to beat him now, and I really don't know that Penn was a different fighter for Edgar as opposed to Florian. I think he was just fighting easier guys and appeared invincible because of that.

[Luke]

I talked to Bendo for an article for the mag once right after he won the belt. He said he went to Hilo to train with Penn and Penn beat his ass.

But you're right, who knows how it would've really gone down if that fight had happened.

If that was the case why didn't Penn just go back to 155 and fight Bendo?

[edman5555]

I wouldn't be suprisee if bendo was saying that to be nice.

[Luke]

I wouldn't be suprisee if bendo was saying that to be nice.

Agree. It makes no sense if it were true. If Penn knew he could beat Bendo he'd go back to 155 in a second and take his title back.