Imagining the UFC Champions as Rap Albums, Part 1

  If MMA was music, it would have to be rap. Not only is individualism at the forefront of the sport and the genre, but both encompass a unique aesthetic that blends gritty toughness with technical artistry; the word “art” is one-third of MMA, and if we are being honest, rap at its best is everything poetry wishes to be. It is only right then to anoint the greatest MMA fighters in each division by comparing them to the rap albums that best encapsulate their fighting styles, personalities and careers. Before the Ultimate Fighting Championship title picture reshuffles any more, here is part one, which covers featherweight down to women’s strawweight:   Conor McGregor: “Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous” | Big L (1995) As tempting as it is to pair McGregor with his “Notorious” namesake, there is a better “Big” fit for him. McGregor is not just a brash personality who took pre-fight trash talk to the next level; he is also one of the best, purest punchers in the game. The power in his hands is undeniable, but do not let that fool you. McGregor’s standup success has just as much to do with his precision and technique as it does his natural power. Although McGregor has other facets to his game, including a repertoire of flashy kicks and solid defensive wrestling, his punching ability rightfully gets most of the spotlight for him. When it comes to punchy MCs, there is no one better than Harlem’s Finest. Big L did not invent punchline rap, but on “Lifestylez,” he damn near perfected it. The comparison is that much better since the rapid-fire delivery and comedic boastfulness of Big L’s rhymes are very much aligned with McGregor’s high-volume output and style of trash talk. Similar to McGregor, though, Big L is no one-trick pony. On “Lifestylez,” he flexes airtight storytelling as well as street-certified reflective cuts. Yet for all the flamboyant skills these two have in the cage and on the microphone, both have suffered from similar ailments. Big L was a lightning-in-a-bottle kind of talent who was always held back by production that ranged from mediocre to outright poor. Similarly, McGregor has a wealth of abilities that have taken him all the way to the featherweight championship in unprecedented and spectacular fashion, but the quality of his training camps falls anywhere between mid-level and “touch butt in the park.” Regardless, both Big L and McGregor have earned platinum-level respect from fans and peers alike. Jose Aldo: “Daily Operation” | Gang Starr (1992) Gang Starr was a super-duo combination of Guru and DJ Premier. Together, their work defined the zeitgeist of early and mid-1990s New York rap, both sonically and lyrically. “Daily Operation” is Gang Starr at their best, with Guru’s laid-back, street savvy rhymes perfectly synched with the gritty, stripped-down boom bap of Premier’s beats. Best known for his monotone delivery and seamless flow, Guru’s presence on “Daily Operation” is as pronounced as it is on any album, solo or otherwise. The late MC is surgical on the microphone, bobbing and weaving with the production with direct, precise rhymes. He seems ready to go off on anything and anyone at any given moment, and the subtle confidence in his skills is less arrogant boastfulness than it is a matter of self-justifying facts. After bursting onto the scene with wild aggression in the World Extreme Cagefighting, Aldo has since matured into a patient and precise powerhouse that represents the spirit of Brazilian MMA better than …

continue reading in source www.sherdog.com