http://www.sbnation.comhttp://www.sbnation.com/users/Gogoplatapus Posts made by Gogoplatapus on SB Nation http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/9/26/622558/5-most-influencial-names-i Gogoplatapus Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:35:43 -0000 <p><b>Royce Gracie</b> - Obvious reasons.&nbsp; He brought his style of MMA to the masses and you need to be well versed in his particular art to even be considered a fighter nowadays.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Mark Coleman</b> - Also known as the Grandfather of G&amp;P.&nbsp; His style of top position + donkey kong punches is still seen in nearly every fight.&nbsp; He showed wrestlers there is a life after College and its called MMA.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Ken Shamrock</b> - His stint on WWE/F made many, otherwise unaware people, aware there was a <i>real</i> wrestling sport out there.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Randy Couture</b> - He showed people you didn't have to be an uneducated brute, such as Tank Abbot, to do well in this sport.&nbsp; His common man persona with his superhuman skill and perseverance gave hopes to the normal guy.</p> <p><b>Tito Ortiz</b> - MMA's first bad boy.&nbsp; The guy you loved to hate.&nbsp; He made it easy for the UFC to start drafting story lines leading up to fights.&nbsp; He brought a voice to fighters you virtually knew nothing about.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Runners-UP</b></p> <p>Chuck Liddell - On the list of "most recognizables" hair-do's, he's second only to MJ.</p> <p>BJ Penn - Size doesn't matter.&nbsp; It's how you use it.</p> <p>Matt Hughes - (only for ppl in Iowa) Yes, you can become famous too!!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>