Doggy Bag: The Future of MMA

Mr Probst: Interesting article on MMA fighters that have a boxing equal. Just thought I might share my opinion on one you haven't done yet that I find very Interesting. Matt Serra = James Braddock.

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• Both considered average at best
• Both became recognized during an economic crisis
• Both entered an exhibition tournament in hopes of earning a title shot at the end
• Both won the title under shocking odds
• Serra KO’d GSP 7 to 1. Braddock bested Max Baer at 10 to 1.
• Both lost the title in their first defense

Anyways, I see a lot of similarities there. Keep up the great work.
-- Allen

Jason Probst, contributor: That is a great parallel! Serra definitely has a lot of Jim Braddock in him. Plus, both beat highly feared champs (GSP and Baer) that had destroyed opponents to win the title (GSP stomped Hughes, Baer floored Carnera a zillion times to take the belt)...and yet both feared champs lost in what was supposed to be a gimme defense.

Thank you, sir. You just made my day.

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You may have already had this one. I didn't see it. however: Randy Couture = Archie Moore. I can't think of two more analogous fighters.
-- Arnn

Probst: Thanks! I did struggle with that because Moore won the world title at the (alleged) age of 39. However, he did possess some similarities to Charles...who was probably the best light heavyweight ever, yet spent most of his notable bullets fighting heavy. Charles was undersized, like Randy. At his best (and if he'd come along younger) imagine how good a light heavy Couture could've been. And he was always awesome at that weight. I know he lost two of three against Liddell, but he was well into his forties at that point, and his performance in their first fight, plus his clinic against Tito Ortiz, will always resonate as classic performances.