K1 versus UFC

[Mitch Powell]

Let's have your thoughts. If you could be the best fighter in K1 or the UFC, which would you pick and why?

[dastars]

What's this "could be" stuff?  I'm da man

Seriously though, I'd rather be top of the UFC pile for two reasons; one it's more famous, generally speaking (meaning I will be too) and two, it's more comprehensive, so I'd feel more complete as a martial artist.

Then again, that's just my impression of both organizations - I haven't spent a lot of time following either one, so I may be off base totally.

[KajuJKDFighter]

I've watched and taped every fight from both and it would have to be the UFC, since it is more well rounded.  Early UFC fights were truly some great stuff.  K1 guys make alot more money and in Japan they are like rockstars, which unfortunatly isn't the same for the present UFC champs.  Though it seems to be picking up....If I wanted to make money to retire and have alot of gals chase me then K1.  At this point it's more about the accomplishment....  good question Prof P.....

[kogastyle]

If I were to pick a major fight promotion to be on top it would definitely have to be Pride.  You get the best of both worlds that way.  Not only do you get to fight in a more rounded competition (MMA vs. kickboxing) but the Japanese definitley know how to treat their fighters.

[KajuJKDFighter]

Pride's a great show it just wasn't offered in the choices here.  They could use to combine the rules of all three...and the money

[supertim2003]

While I have no interest in competing in K1 or UFC, I think the rules of UFC seem to favor the Kajukenboist a little more than K1.  I like that the UFC also incorporates MMA more, allowing for more ground technique.  I don't think there is anyone in K1 that would want to mix it up with the likes of Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, or Tito Ortiz, they are some bad boys.

[kogastyle]

I was under the impression that K-1 was a kickboxing promotion while UFC was a mixed martial arts/NHB event.  Has K-1 begun adding NHB fights to its events?

Also, I recognize that Pride wasn't one of the listed events, but based on my above assumption, I thought maybe Pride/UFC was a better comparison than K-1/UFC.  Although if my assumption was incorrect, I'm going to change my response to K-1 

[KajuJKDFighter]

Chuck is primarily a stand up guy and would be better in a K1 venue where as Couture has great ground skills as long as he is on top, plus his takedowns are top notch. K1 is pure kickboxing, while Pride and The UFC are MMA...

[Chief Instructor]

The problem with the early UFCs were that grapplers had a strong advantage b/c they also traditionally trained to fight against stand-up fighters while stand-up fighters were primarily training against fellow stand-up fighters. Thank goodness that has changed!

While I agree that Mr. Chuck Liddell would clean up in K-1, it's great to see him showing the world the stand-up fighters can still win in the UFC and the importance of a strong takedown defense.

[KajuJKDFighter]

That's what was fun about the early UFC's.  It opened the eyes of martial artists with closed minds.  Though I would root for Chuck being a fellow Kaju guy.  He would have a difficult time in K1 I believe at this point since those pure kickboxers punch straight down the pike and he tends to stay back with wide hooks.  He would have to change his game plan to fight those pure strikers.  His advantage in some of his fights so far has been his take down defense and then being able to out strike fighters that have less striking skills then himself.  Most of the K1 guys wouldn't have a take down defense, but of course they wouldn't need it.  The it would be a pure stand up striking match and that's a different game...

[Chief Instructor]

That's what was fun about the early UFC's.

One of my favorite fights was between Royce Gracie and Ron Van Clief.

He would have to change his game plan to fight those pure strikers.

I agree that his current game plan would have to change but keep in mind that his instructor, Professor John Hackleman, was rated as the #1 Kickboxer in the 1980's by various sources. Also Professor Walter Godin, trained lots of stand-up fighters and was a pioneer of full contact karate in Hawaii. Lots of history of great stand-up fighters from that lineage...

Sure, he might take some time to adapt but my money is still on the Ice Man.

[KajuJKDFighter]

Yes I'm familiar with that.  K1 rules are different then kickboxing rules form the old days.  Old school kickboxing only allowed kicks above the belt, K1 rules are very similar to International rules kickboxing which came much later, which allowed leg kicks.  Though K1 does have some special rules of it's own, such as limited holding of a caught leg and one strike while holding.  Knees can be used in the open or one strike of the knee can be used while holding with one hand...etc.....All it takes is a change of focus to adapt to the new game.  I remember that fight it was very quick.  Van Clief was way out of his element, as far as kickboxers, the first UFC had a fight with a kickboxer named Kevin Rosier and a Savate man Gerard Gordeau...that was a bang up fight

[guarded]

All I have to say is that I have watched a lot of K-1, UFC and Pride.  I haven't seen anyone in my opinion that can touch Fedor Emilianenko.  He is a Sambo specialist that has hands of stone and cannot be touched in the ground game.  He has fought and punished the best submission fighter in the would twice. Antonio Nogiera.  The only guy that might be able to stand up with him is Cro-Cop but Fedor is to smart for that.  I predicted the first time I saw Andre Arlovski several years ago that he would be the next UFC Champion.  Now that he has reached the level that he is at I would love to see him fight Fedor.  Maybe they can make that happen sometime in the future at a Heavyweight Grand Prix or something.

[KajuJKDFighter]

I like Fedor and his dimensions are growing from a pure hand striker and ground n pound to some submissions.  He has been over powered and controlled but he finds a way to win.  He has some trouble from his back which is strange for a Sambo stylist, but I imagine he hasn't concentrated on that since he hasn't needed it very much. I think Cro Cop will take a pounding from him.  Cro doesn't like to be hit and doesn't have the toughest jaw, while Fedor welcomes it.  I think Cro Cop will be on his back, taking strikes.   Andre would be a great fight, let's hope that happens..

[dastars]

Slightly off topic, but if anyone was watching "Ultiimate Fighter" on Spike, the guy who won the second match (light heavyweight) was in my Eastern Religion class at UGA.  Kinda cool to see someone I knew on TV, fighting off all things... he ended up getting a big UFC contract, too, which must be nice.