The MMA World Cup: An Exercise in Nerdery
by Jonathan Snowden on Apr 22, 2011 10:21 AM EDT
in MMA Analysis
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PrintEvery four years the nations of the world celebrate a spirit of togetherness and pay tribute to the ideals of cultural 
and ethnic diversity by attempting to crush each other in athletic competition at the Summer Olympic Games. It's time honored hokum - the draping of flags, the playing of anthems, the occasional blatantly unfair and politically motivated judge's decision. Who doesn't love it?
And why not, at least in our own minds, do the same with mixed martial arts? The sport might have started in the fertile mind of Brazilian Rorion Gracie, but the rest of the world has had 18 years to catch up. Who has the best combat sports athletes in the world? We are about to decided together. First, the rules.
A. I have divided the world into six regions, concentrating on the MMA hubs. If your favorite fighter resides outside these areas, well he's not part of this tournament. Develop some more fighters. Our six regions are:
1. The United States: Home of the UFC, Strikeforce, and most fight cards that matter in 2011
2. Brazil: The spiritual homeland of MMA.
3. Asia/Australia: The other spiritual homeland of MMA.
4. Canada: Home of Georges St. Pierre
5. Europe: A sleeping giant
6. Soviet Republics: If you were once part of the Soviet Union, while I recognize your sovereignty, you belong here.
B. The seeding is based on our USA Today/SBNation rankings. If we had to delve below the top 25 in any weight class to find fighters, I relied on the comprehensive rankings at Fight Matrix. The top two seeds receive a first round bye.
C. Scoring works as follows:
Gold Medal: 10 Points
Silver Medal: 8 Points
Bronze Medal: 6 points
Fourth Place: 4 Points
Fifth and Sixth Place: Zero points
D. Winners will be decided by your vote! So please let your voices be heard. And make your case in the comments. Coming up first: The Heavyweights!
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Ikuze!!!
They made a video game about Yakuzas. It’s called Yakuza. And it’s about Yakuza
gocyborg.com
Just remember that the Americans will upset a European power but lose to Ghana.
by Beau Dure on Apr 22, 2011 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This is the sort of pointless and excellent exercise I can really get behind
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Apr 22, 2011 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
i love this
but just wondering.. is there a way this won’t come down to to all the number ones being the winner in their divisions.. the only wild card would be enough SF fans assuming despite his ranking beating cain.. otherwise I think all the mumber ones are where they are because of their overall skills (meaning edgars lack of wrestling made up for with speed.. silva tdd made up with by his stand up and clinch skills, cains stand up power made up with wrestling, cruz’s lack of finishing skills made up for with speed.. aldos wrestling made better by bjj and stand up, wtvr etc..) all in all I still think this is fun so yay
by Joshro on Apr 22, 2011 1:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Oh, I’m picking Reem over Cain when it comes to it. But yes, #1 should win in almost every division. Maybe not LW though.
I think the really interesting fights will be the fights for the Bronze, with the two semi-final losers (that is how it works, yes?). Should be good stuff there.
Now at LiverKick.com
by Fraser Coffeen on Apr 22, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Russia is part of Europe
I like things like this, but allow me to help you nerd up just a little bit. There really should be a separate category for Russia, Soviet, CIS, whatever you want to call is. Russia is part of Europe.
That would be a bit like having South America as a region or category then separating Brazil.
That would be a bit like having South America as a region or category then separating Brazil.
Which we almost certainly would do. I almost broke out England as well.
by Jonathan Snowden on Apr 22, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
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