For successful MMA fighters, talent and skill are not enough to get them to the top. Much like pro-wrestling, marketability and likability play a big factor to their career. They may not be the best nor the champion, but they can certainly fill a coliseum. Here are the top five fighters who are most likely to fight in front of a sold-out crowd arena:
1. Fedor Emelianenko
As the #1 fighter on many people’s top 10 list, Fedor usually plays to a sold-out crowd in Japan. There is no doubt an MMA fan would want to see Fedor live in action. Usually fast-paced, aggressive, and technical, Fedor’s matches are never boring.
2. Chuck Liddell
Chuck remains the top draw for the UFC despite losing the championship belt. Even though he mostly does stand-up fighting, his ability to finish the match in a spectacular knockout is what people want to shout and cheer for.
3. Kimbo Slice
Kimbo has built a strong fanbase and reputation through the magic of Youtube. Even though Kimbo is just new to the game, EliteXC is banking on Kimbo’s popularity to sell out their seats.
4. Cung Le
As the darling of San Jose, CA, Cung Le is one of the top draws for Strikeforce. His flashy kicks and spectacular takedowns make his fights exciting to watch. Fairly new to MMA, Cung needs to improve his groundgame in order to sustain his rising popularity.
5. Brock Lesnar
After losing to Frank Mir, Lesnar remains bankable for the UFC. This mammoth of a human brings to the table a solid Pro Wrestling fanbase. Lesnar may turn out to be a mediocre mixed martial artist, but he possesses something that no amount of training, diet, or drills can teach: he’s a charismatic presence that people will pay to see.
Who are the MMA fighters you will pay to see?
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I’m going to avoid the obvious choices named above… Just for the sake of arguement
1.)Anderson Silva - Anderson’s cool demeanor brings something distinctly different to the fight game, his laser sharp kicks, knock out power and incredible ground game are the marks of the complete fighter. The type of fighter that the UFC and MMA in general is moving more and more towards. He is the marquee fighter of the new generation.
2.) George St. Pierre - The GSP is argueably as dynamic a fighter as Anderson Silva, his charisma and good looks appeal to mass audiences and his aggressive style in the cage lead to exciting to watch fights, what ever the outcome.
3.) Wanderlei Silva - Wanderlei’s hulking shoulders, his brutish demeanor and the shear joy he expresses in wrecking other living human beings into little more than jelly like puddles of flesh mean the Wand can sell out a crowd ANYTIME… ANYWHERE. Win or Lose, you know the Wand is going to put on a show.
4.)Randy Coture - He may have walked away from the game, but he would still be the most commanding heavy weight as far as drawing an audience in the world. Not to mention he’d likely pound the crap out of just about everyone mentioned on the list above, save for Fedor. And a fight between Fedor and Randy? HELL? LEGENDARY!
5.) ME - Because who doesn’t want to watch what would happen when one of these living wrecking balls actually got ahold of a NORMAL human being? Besides, I’d probably make a buck or two, and I’m up for that even at the sake of getting a few teeth knocked out and being punch drunk for the rest of my life.
GSP definitely has mass appeal, especially in Canada.
Randy’s underdog / underestimated quality is always a draw.
I’d pay to see you fight Brock Lesnar or Kimbo Slice.
<– Remains a contender for Mass Audience Appeal!
Seriously, my good looks? My witty charm? My razor sharp wit? I could be like the ultimate villain/scape goat/sex ojbect. Women love me, Men want to …well, watch someone beat the hell out of me, apparently.
People would be lining up in such droves, it would make the piles of asian guido wanna-be’s thronging the outside of Wanderlei Silva’s after fight party at the Jett seem like a trickling stream.
The real deal lies RIGHT HERE PEOPLE.
THE R.M.H. Send in your appeals to Dana White right now, and … LETS GET IT ON!
Not if I were fighting Kimbo.
All I would have to do is use DONKY KONG’s strategy against Lyoto Machida, and I’d probably win the fight by split decision.
I’d pay to see Gina Carano fight. Her sweet smile and hot tits are worth the tickets!
Gohan,
I’d pay to see Gina Carano put you in a coffin. Her sweet smile, and swift mui thai kick to your noggin would be COMPLETELY worth the tickets!