If you’re a real fight fan, then brace yourself. The 3 following fighters have achieved great success in the sport of MMA, and are legends of the sport. What stands out the most about the 3 following bouts though is that they are the very embodiment of what martial arts are about, i.e. technique over size. It’s such a satisfying sight when a relatively weak, small fighter manages to defeat a much, much bigger foe. To do so, great technique, as well as heart, is necessary.
The 3 following fighters didn’t lack either and it showed. Have a look at 3 instances where beautiful technique defeated sheer power.
3) Fedor Emelianenko vs Zuluzinho
Zuluzinho is the son of Vale Tudo legend Zulu. He is also freaking 390 pounds (177 kgs) for 6 feet and 7 inches (2.01m). Zuluzinho was slated to face Fedor Emelianenko on December 31, 2005. Problem is, as heavy as Zuluzinho was, he was going at it against of one the most skilled fighters ever in Fedor. Have a look at how the fight unfolded. Hint: it didn’t last long.
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2) Fedor Emelianenko vs Hong Man Choi
As you can see, Fedor never shied away from taking on much, much larger opponents. He took on Korean powerhouse Hong Man Choi back at the Yarennoka! event back in 2007. Oh, by the way, Hong Man Choi stands at a whopping 7 feet and 2 inches (2.18m) and weighs 346 pounds (157 kgs). All of that is good and all until you face a Russian killer. It took Fedor less than 120 seconds to armbar the Korean giant, and to prove to the world he’s one of the best Heavyweights fighters ever.
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1) Royce Gracie vs Akebono
Royce Gracie is the son of Helio Gracie, aka the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a 6th degree black belt in BJJ. He is also one of the most emblematic MMA pioneers and a UFC Hall of Famer. He was set to face Akebono Taro back in 2004. Akebono is a sumo wrestler and MMA fighter who’s 6 feet and 8 inches (2.03m) for 460 f**king pounds (210 kgs). Watch as Royce Gracie reminds us beautifully how technique is the most important thing when it comes to martial arts.
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