MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer</B><BR><BR>
In light of longtime champion and P4P king Fedor Emelianenko?s disappointing loss at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva, it?s about time to take another look at some of the sports contributors who frankly, should no longer be contributing.<BR><BR>
<B>Ken Shamrock:</B> An easy pick for just about anyone here. Ken proved - in his prime - that he was every bit the beast advertised. He fought with heart, determination and precision, and won the respect of his peers and the fans. But the days of high speed reflexes, precise counter-punching and durability left the shell of Shamrock long ago. It?s long been time to walk away from the game, and stay away from the game.<BR><BR>
<B>Andrei Arlovski:</B> Andre was once one of the most feared men on the planet. His unbelievable agility and sharp shooter strikes seemed more illusion than reality, and audiences were wowed. Until a man named Tim Sylvia touched his chin in a manner that would forever change the mindset of the former champion. Long gone is the killer who stormed the UFC heavyweight division just a few years a go. In his place stands a gunshy striker who?s chin seems to have completely betrayed him. those fighters.<BR><BR>
<B>Randy Couture:</B> No man has defied the odds like Randy. He?s been counted out more times than one can count, only to prove the naysayers wrong time and again. But, as would be expected from a man north of 45 years old, Couture?s skills are diminishing. He?s losing steps, albeit slow, he?s losing them all the same. Randy could compete for another year or so, but why not retire with a nice win, the most fitting finale for a warrior of such stature.<BR><BR><!--more-break-->
<B>Mark Coleman:</B> Coleman makes many claims of retirement, if he says it, it?s tough to believe. For that reason, I strongly, strongly suspect we?ll see at least another appearance (perhaps in Japan) from the legend. But it?s a bad move in the making. Coleman virtually invented ground and pound. He was a champion, and he fought the best opposition available; ride into the sunset while you can still appreciate it Mark.<BR><BR>
<B>Mirko Filipovic:</B> ?Crocop? was once the Mike Tyson of MMA. His hands were crisp, his reflexes unbelievably quick, his takedown defense nearly flawless, and his left high quick was...well, a trip to the cemetery. He may have been the most feared fighter alive circa 2003-2005. Those days however are over. Gone is the threat of devastating punches. Gone is the perfect timing of the near fatal high kick. In a warriors body resides a domesticated animal whose lost the will to fight.<BR><BR>
<B>Kevin Randleman:</B> Kevin talks retirement as often as Coleman, and in similar fashion, the man just can?t seem to keep away from the ring. Once a UFC heavyweight champion with endless potential, a tumultuous life left a glaring effect on Randleman?s fighting career. The focus was gone. The training never evolved, and I?m not completely convinced he?s surrounded by the proper people. It?s sad to see one of the greatest natural talents to ever compete in MMA find himself in the position he?s in, but it?s a testament to how challenging this sport is, and a firm reminder that if you?re not 100% mentally, you?re not 100% physically.<BR><BR>
<B>Shannon Ritch:</B> I don?t think anyone alive doubts the heart of ?The Cannon?; unfortunately his body has never been able to keep up with his heart. With an unbelievable record of 47-73-0-4, it?s time for Shannon to hang ?em up. For the love of health Shannon, hang 'em up.<BR><BR><!--more-break-->
<B>Travis Fulton:</B> Travis has never been able to achieve a tremendous amount of success in this cruel sport, but there?s no denying he gave it some serious effort. With 15 years in the business and over 300 bouts under his belt, Fulton is the most experienced man in the sport. However, with that kind of abuse on the body, it may be a wise thought to contemplate retirement and preserve a better way of life as Father Time catches up.<BR><BR>
<B>Tito Ortiz:</B> While Tito may still present a financial draw, his career has slowly diminished. The last time Ortiz secured a professional victory was October of 2006 when he battered an already war torn Ken Shamrock. Since then Tito has failed to rediscover his foothold on the light heavyweight division, dropping bouts to inferior competition in the likes of Matt Hamill. While Tito?s vicious ground-and-pound attack was once a thing to fear, the intimidation factor is gone, as is Ortiz? ability to dish out severe damage. Though Tito may still be a fairly young man, a multitude of surgeries have left this former champion a shadow of the beast men feared circa 2000. If you can?t put up a single win over today's competition, it?s time to walk away from the sport.<BR><BR>
<B>Dan Severn:</B> Dan may still be racking up career victories, but let?s be honest with ourselves, he?s been feeding on virtually helpless cans for nearly a decade. At 50 plus years of age there?s nothing left to prove for the former UFC standout, and there?s no reason to feed near-helpless victims to the big man just to continue padding a record that should have had the plug pulled years ago. It may be a difficult thing to do, but it?s time to venture into the sunset for Dan.<BR><BR><!--more-break-->
If you believed I?d include Fedor Emelianenko in this list, well, surprise surprise; I do believe the Russian has a few quality bouts left in him, and thus he?s been excluded from this depressing list. Another consecutive defeat to inferior opposition however may leave me forced to revise a list such as this.<BR><BR>
Got suggestions as to who else should call it quits? Let us know!<BR><BR>
Mac Danzig Karen Darabedyan Viacheslav Datsik Marcus Davis Tony DeSouza
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