Imagining an MMA Hall of Fame: Borderline Candidates, Part 2

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Pedro Rizzo
“The Rock” International Mix-Fight Association (1996); World Vale Tudo Championship (1996-97); Ultimate Fighting Championship (1998-2003); Pride Fighting Championships (2005-06); Art of War (2007); Affliction (2008); Fight Force International (2009); Bitetti Combat (2009); Washington Combat (2010); Impact Fighting Championship (2010); M-1 Global (2012); Inoki Genome Federation (2013)
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CASE FOR: At his best, Rizzo was a feared striker with devastating leg kicks and great takedown defense. He holds wins over a host of big names, from Mark Coleman, Dan Severn and Josh Barnett to Andrei Arlovski, Ricco Rodriguez and Jeff Monson. CASE AGAINST: Rizzo never appeared to be the same following his losses to Randy Couture in 2001. He became increasingly gunshy with his striking and lost to fighters his earlier self probably would have destroyed. Plus, Rizzo lost all three UFC title fights in which he competed. Zuffa invested in him as a potential superstar, but he never justified that contract at the box office or in the cage. VERDICT: Should he go in? No.

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