Ninjamonkey

My uncle was visiting last week and was making fun of MMA. First he was convinced that MMA was fake like wrestling, but thats another story. I eventually got him to watch a fight with me, but he didn't seem to be impressed. Granted the fight that was on TV was not a very good one (the ifl fight between renzo gracie and pat militech), but the whole experience got me thinking... What three fights would you show someone new to the sport?

At first I thought this question would be easy to answer, but then I got to thinking about some people I tried to get into the sport. I remember being stoked about couture vs sylvia fight, but when I showed it to a friend, he didn't make it through the whole fight. ANother friend didn't seem too impressed with the Nick Diaz vs Gomi fight which I thought was absolutely amazing. Anyway, enough rambling, onto my three fights:

1. Griffen vs Bonnar I - It was an ok slugfest, but something about it hooks new comers to the sport, so it seems like a good fight to start off with.

2. Matt Hughes vs Carlos Newton I - This fight stands out in my mind because of the ending. The controvertial finish with Hughes slamming newton while being choked out was classic.

3. Randleman vs Fedor - Shows how staying cool in a bad situation can work wonders... plus that slam was freakin sweet. The fight showcased the explosiveness of MMA and some great BJJ.


Special nomination:

Fisher vs Stout - an exciting fight from start to finish, but the fight was recent, so I don't know how memoriable the fight will be as time passes, so thats why I didn't add it to the list.

There are so many good fights, probably some better ones to show newcomers, but those were the three that came to my mind first.

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Mouth For War

any fight off of the last ufn was good in my mind

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OneStepAhead

If you can't appreciate the latest UFN, then I don't know what you can appreciate. Especially for a newcomer to MMA who doesn't know fighters. It had a great slugfest, some great KO's, some good displays of JJ, etc..

Try to catch it on a replay and show it to him!

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daveyxx

once a skeptic, always a skeptic. haha. i have this one friend who is convinced that wwe is way better because of the drama and that ufc is just "guys rolling around" but once you show them a clip of a KO they get squeemish. i hope your uncle isnt like that.

anyways, if your uncle is into seeing rough fights, just show him some dvd of ultimate knockouts.. plus they have the old school KOs.. like rizzo vs arlovski :]

Dirty Fighter

First off with a classic like Royce/Kimo to show the roots of the sport and how technique can beat strength and size. Then move up to something that is entertaining and shows a god representation of the fighters personalities and their heart. Sell/Smith would be good, it's an all-time fave for me. Then you close the deal with the emotional storyline fight. Something that the fans will tell their grandchildren about. Captain America taking back his belt at 43 years of age. If that doesn't convince him then nothing will.

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BCguy

When im tryin to get someone into MMA , i lend them my PRIDE Critical Countdown 2005 DVD.

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Trbowrx71

Ya so many awesome fight's

Maybe some Liddell, Couture, Fedor, Wandy, Hughes, there are just way to many amazing fights IMO, to narrow it down to three.

I think when showing someone there first fight, its best to stick to slugfest, or technical striking fights, a lot of new people espicallypeople new too MMA, dont tend to appreciate ground fighting and the amount of skill involved.

So i tend to show friends some of the better standup battles.

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1.Rich Franklin
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3.CC
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jm1010

Took the words right out of my mouth. I don't think you can show him anything that lasts more than 2 rounds to begin with because he will probably say that it is boring. I think showing him Royce/Kimo to start out with should get him intrigued. Then show him an exciting knockout. Finally, show him a classic fight such as Couture/Sylvia, Diego/Karo, etc.

BCguy

Everytime i show someone Royce/Kimo , they laugh that Royce is pulling his hair and just make fun of it.

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Osnodon

To get someone interested I'd show Penn v GSP, Griffin v Ortiz and Belfort v Couture 2 or a Cro Cop KO would be a good idea.

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Top 5

1. BJ Penn
2. Mauricio Rua
3. Rampage
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5. A. Silva

Dirty Fighter

Penn/GSP is another all time favorite. There have been awesome fights, but that is a classic.

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Heatwaves

First and foremost, I think the most important aspect isn't "Which is the best fight I can show?" but rather "Is this person genuinely interested in learning about the sport?"

For some friends and family who are open-minded and ask targeted questions, I've found it relatively easy to instruct them about the nuances of mma regardless what fight is being shown. If, however, that individual is persistently skeptical or simply using it as a punchline at a party or gathering, it's a lost cause. I liken it to attempting to explain the finer points of blocking in the NFL, boxing out for a rebound in the NBA, or stealing on a 3-2 count in MLB. If someone doesn't show interest in learning, they'll only see "a bunch of big guys tackling each other, a court full of lanky men shoving with no rhyme or reason, and a baserunner making an arbitrary and spontaneous decision on the basepath."

That was today's moment of Zen.

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Bocephus

this is a great question because you cant show someone that is a skeptic because they will just view it as a steet fight... the brawl will be a brawl and they wont understand the ground game.

i think if you give them a little background... the randy vs tim is great

maybe bonnar vs griffin, then any chuck vs randy or ...hell i dont know, just tell them to quit being a b*tch and watch a couple ppv's or a ufn.

also, i think if you really want to get someone into mma, tell them to watch the TUF. it gives a story line and shows training / preperation.

bocephus

AikaImmortal

Jackson/Arona

anything with Shogun in it.

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Malf

I would show Huerta/Garcia, or even Griffin/Bonnar. If he llikes those fights, then start showing him the top dogs I.E. Fedor, Cro Cop, Shogun, Liddell, Couture, GSP, ect....

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A mixed martial artist should have a mixed arsenal.

St. Pierre - Penn - Lauzon - Florian - Torres
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riversideblues

Lil Nog - Shogun Rua
Hughes - GSP (2)
Ortiz - Griffin
Tanner - Baronni (2)
Fedor - Crocop
Couture - Belfort (2)
Silva - Leben

I've got all of those.... 'handy' for friends who want to get into watching MMA, it's a good mix of close fights, comebacks and impressive skills.

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Normo

Scott Smith vs Pete Sell - It a crazy fight from start to end.
Bonnar vs Griffin (1) - Same as above reason but above fight has better ending.
Chuck Liddell vs couture (1,2 and 3) - To show training does help and that these guys really do work hard.
Any other Chuck fight really, there all exciting

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Nimmy

i have the same dilema at work, the guys rely on me to come up with the slugfests. i showed don frye vs some japanese dude with blonde hair, manhoef vs cyborg, tried to get pete sell vs scott smith, cro cop gonzaga and some gypsey knife fights

JoeRoganismyhero

Show him the Frank Mir-Tim Sylvia from UFC 43 or Renzo Gracie-Sakuraba from Pride 10, those fights should prove MMA isn't fake

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CC vs. Gonzaga, that KO could hook anyone