Rank in styles you never trained in?

[NYKaju]

Just got my UFC 8 (been missing this one from my collection) and sure enough, as it's been told to me, Gary Goodridge is listed as a practitioner of Kuk Sool Won! I've heard rumors that he apparently needed a school to train at before his UFC debut, so he stopped by some Kuk Sool Won school. He didn't like the way they trained, so he challenged the best student to fight him, and beat the poor guy pretty soundly. Impressed the KSW head instructor, awarded Goodridge a black belt in KSW, and convinced him to represent his school in the UFC so he could gain credibility.

Those of you who follow MMA, know the extent of truth to this? And what do you guys think of people who never trained in a given art, receiving high rank in it just for money? I'm up for challenge matches and such, but handing out rank in exchange for publicity and cash? Seems shallow, if this rumor is true.

[Brandi Ross]

Good luck with your responses on this controversial subject.  YOu'll have fun with this one.

As for your question, I didn't follow UFC in its earlier stages so I really can't respond about Gary Goodridge.  If it happened, that's too bad.  Unfortunately, money talks and bs walks.  Isn't that the saying? 

[Sifu Sin Bin]

That is pretty much how Joe Lewis got his and I am not about to challenge him about it

[Vala Au]

Well Jim, charity begins at home.  Why not start with your Professor, I think he may be an authority on the subject.

[badsifu]

Well Jim, charity begins at home.  Why not start with your Professor, I think he may be an authority on the subject.

Don't think they are "connected" any longer. 

edit:

But I am sure that either James or GM Fescina can give us the low down on that if they feel like it.

[NYKaju]

Well Jim, charity begins at home.  Why not start with your Professor, I think he may be an authority on the subject.

I'm sure he would. Though I don't speak for him.

[NYKaju]

That is pretty much how Joe Lewis got his and I am not about to challenge him about it

Well in Lewis' and Goodridge's situations, they had the skill and ability, even if they didn't train in the art. And I suppose other people out there, get into organizations without training the art nor having the skill or ability, so I guess in the former cases it ain't so bad 

[KajuJKDFighter]

If you haven't put in the blood sweat and tears don't represent the style.....just say style undetermined.....don't embarrass others who train in the style.....if you can kick their butt it's on them to train harder or change schools .......

[NYKaju]

If you haven't put in the blood sweat and tears don't represent the style.....just say style undetermined.....don't embarrass others who train in the style.....if you can kick their butt it's on them to train harder or change schools .......

Well put.