Best Japanese fighter ever?

http://mmajunkie.com/news/24847/ufcs-dana-white-yushin-okami-is-the-best-fighter-to-ever-come-out-of-japan.mma
"In my opinion, Yushin Okami is the best fighter to ever come out of Japan," White interjected to MMAjunkie.com
"This guy didn't come up fighting cans and get this built-up, mythological record," White said in an obvious swipe at the now-defunct PRIDE promotion. "This guy's been fighting the absolute best for years, and I'm sure he feels and a lot of people feel this guy hasn't gotten the credit he deserves.

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I'm guessing most people won't agree with Mr.White here. So who is the best?

Aoki probably.

Gomi also, and Sakuraba and Kawajiri after.

So you are not buying Sakuraba as the Japanese GOAT?

Megumi Fujii

OU wrote:

So you are not buying Sakuraba as the Japanese GOAT?

Spirtual GOAT, like Hendo maybe.

this is a really tough one for me, i mean when you look at Okamis record it's pretty solid with losses coming to some legit contenders

GDPofDRC wrote:

OU wrote:

So you are not buying Sakuraba as the Japanese GOAT?

Spirtual GOAT, like Hendo maybe.

He does hold some very high profile wins, but I think you are right.

Yamamoto also

Okami is a top 3 or 5 probably though. tough pick.

I wonder if White is saying this because Okami is headlining the next UFC PPV in Brazil? Probably not.

GDPofDRC wrote:

Okami is a top 3 or 5 probably though. tough pick.

I wonder if White is saying this because Okami is headlining the next UFC PPV in Brazil? Probably not.

I don't think that is a factor. Mr.White usually gives his unbiased opinion as a fan of the sport.

Sakuraba is the Japanese GOAT, but Yushin is getting there and if he somehow finds a way to grind Anderson down for three rounds or more he would be very close to taking it since that would make him the first japanese fighter to ever hold a UFC title, even if it is in the Middleweight division.

White's opinions on the best ever fighters means shit. He always puts over UFC fighters and puts down everyone else.

Dana is so hard to listen to. Not only are the majority of Okami's wins from pre UFC, but the majority of his UFC wins are very soft. Singer, Lister Linhares?

Dana might have a point in Okami being one of the best Jap's of all time, and maybe one day he could reach the pinnacle, but u need to have better wins then Nate and Munoz to take this title.

I'll roll with the guy who has wins over Rampage, Gracie, Vitor and Mezger.

Why do people idolize a guy who refuses to be honest?

LOL, good question cap...

Is Aoki in the discussion?

Wins over Hansen, Crusher, Aussie George, JZ, Eddie.

Still young too.

Aoki needs a step up in competition... he's beating decent guys but it won't be enough IMO

Sakuraba hands down. Okami could end up being but as of now no Japanese fighter has even gotten close to doing what Sakuraba has done in his career.

captain organic wrote:

Is Aoki in the discussion?

Wins over Hansen, Crusher, Aussie George, JZ, Eddie.

Still young too.

Is he even the Japanese LW GOAT? Gomi is 32 and might be able to add a couple names before retirement. Even if he loses to Nate and never fights again he still has a nice resume.

OU wrote:

captain organic wrote:

Is Aoki in the discussion?

Wins over Hansen, Crusher, Aussie George, JZ, Eddie.

Still young too.

Is he even the Japanese LW GOAT? Gomi is 32 and might be able to add a couple names before retirement. Even if he loses to Nate and never fights again he still has a nice resume.

I would probably put Gomi ahead of Aoki... but I'm a big fan of Gomi and never was too thrilled about Aoki

OU wrote:

captain organic wrote:

Is Aoki in the discussion?

Wins over Hansen, Crusher, Aussie George, JZ, Eddie.

Still young too.

Is he even the Japanese LW GOAT? Gomi is 32 and might be able to add a couple names before retirement. Even if he loses to Nate and never fights again he still has a nice resume.

Gomi's notable wins: Pulver, Sakarai, Griffin, Ishida.

Gomi obviously more well rounded, while Aoki, though one dimensional, is dominant in that aspect.

Close.

Gotta go Saku though.

his resume has more L's then the other entries, but those losses, for the most part are vs elite fighters, some of whom are way bigger then him.

And none of the other guys have the W's that Saku has. And none brought the juice that Saku brought to a big match. He was involved in real deal superfights.

http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/8/17/2368168/ufc-rio-kazushi-sakuraba-dana-white-yushin-okami-mma-news
Jonathan Snowden on this topic.

Yeah, Sakuraba is legendary.

yeah, you gotta go with Saku... he's faced a whos who of fighters