The hardcore mma fan is among the most smug lifeforms on planet earth. If you attempt to engage this snobby sophisticate in conversation about the sport he has dedicated his life to viewing, be prepared for a condescending, sing-song-y rebuttal, peppered with unnecessary details about obscure fighters from Azerbaijan.
This article will arm you for verbal warfare with the savviest of fight aficionados. Drop mention of one of these 4 ‘legends’ and you will immediately shed the ‘TUF noob’ label that you are automatically assigned until proven otherwise.
Although their time in the limelight was brief, all of these men left an indelible mark on the fight game and will no doubt be included in the future Ken Burns documentary about our beloved sport.
Harold Howard
Before GSP became the face of Canadian mixed martial arts, one man came to mind when you thought of Canadian fighters. That man’s name? Harold Clarence Howard.
The pride of Ontario first entered our hearts and minds when he debuted at UFC 3. Howard’s first victory (vs. bag of cement) would be highlighted in his pre-fight video (see below).
He drew local fan favorite – and Muay Thai specialist – Roland Payne in the first round of the groundbreaking one-night tournament. Payne would suffer the same fate as that uppity bag of cement. It only took Howard 0:46 to dispatch Payne with his unique brand of violence and silence the Charlotte crowd.
Next up, Howard would meet the only man to ever win a UFC tournament at the time, future hall of famer Royce Gracie. Howard gave credit where credit was due, calling Gracie “A good Jiu-Jitsu person” before their fight.
Gracie followed his patented Gracie train out to the Octagon where Howard eagerly awaited. Royce entered the cage, took one look across from him, and saw the 6’2” Howard bouncing back and forth like a Canadian mountain lion ready to pounce on his prey. Fearing for his health Gracie and his corner decided they wanted no part of Howard and threw in the towel before the fight began.
4 obscure fighters every hardcore MMA fan should know
