WKR's Worst Fighters of 2009

by Zak Woods on Dec 30, 2009 12:30 PM EST Comment 3 comments

Nick Becker: Bob Sapp

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After fighting and losing three times this year in a combined total of just over five minutes, any nostalgia for the Bob Sapp who took Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to the brink way back in 2002 should be long gone by now. The Bob Sapp of 2009 looks like a cartoon character (good thing that sells in Japan) who is better suited for mean-mugging the camera while filming ridiculous commercials and looking scary on noodle packages than fighting in professional MMA matches.
Please Bob, for the sake of humanity, retire now!

Spencer Kyte: Kimbo Slice

Kimboslice_11_medium

Too much attention for too few skills.

Though he looked better on the ground in the second round against Houston Alexander, the dude still makes way too much money and pulls in way too many viewers for a guy with marginal skills.

While I like that he's improving and showing some dedication to learning the craft, he's a marketing tool in fight shorts and that will drive me insane until he either retires or actually becomes a credible threat.

Zach Krantz: Andrei Arlovski.

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In all honesty he probably did not have the worst year in regards to struggles since both his losses are to top ten heavyweights and he was beating Fedor until the moment. However, he is 0-2 and he is on the losing end of two of the most vicious knockouts of the year. I think the visibility in which he got smashed hurts him even more.

Zak Woods: Tim Sylvia. Two words: Ray Mercer

Thales Leites: He fought for the title and crapped his pants in one of the worst fights and cards in UFC history. Then he was given a rebound fight to the ever dismal Alessio Sakara, which Leites lost! After the fight the UFC dumped him faster than an cheating girlfriend. Now Thales fights with the MFC.

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Daaaamn

Bob Sapp looks like his Daddys beating him with a belt in that picture.

by finkrod on Dec 30, 2009 5:40 PM EST reply actions

I don't understand the Kimbo hate

When Frank Mir sells the public on his fight with Cheick Kongo people discuss his growing ability to market himself. While Frank Shamrock remains adept at promoting himself, his body continues to ignore the fact that his knees retired some time ago. Tank Abbott and Ken Shamrock can still draw fans despite decrepit fighting ability. With the exception of Mir, all of these fighters are much more successful at marketing themselves than fighting. Kimbo stumbled upon meaningless internet fame and was able to use that to successfully create a brand and reinvigorate a fan base at a later date when he found an avenue to profit off of his prior notoriety.

We can question his fighting ability, but in reality they will eventually be answered in the cage. The lessen to be learned from Kimbo is one of self promotion and personal branding that other fighters could do well to learn from.

by MrPants on Dec 31, 2009 2:47 AM EST reply actions