Paul Buentello: The Hunt for Glory

Buentello crush Gary Goodridge at the first Affliction event.

For many, it is hard to imagine Paul Buentello (24-9 MMA) as a top ten fighter. After all, the most notable moment of his career is the fifteen second knockout he recieved from Andrei Arlovski (15-7 MMA, #10 IWMMAR). Buentello’s other performance against a top heavyweight, his Strikeforce bout with Alistair Overeem (29-11-0-1 MMA, #7 IWMMAR) ended disastrously as well, with Buentello on the more painful end of a viscious knee to the body that forced him to give up.

Still, Buentello’s performances lately, and the fact that his only losses have been to top fighters in a very potent part of their careers (his loss to Arlovski occurred during Andrei’s prime, and Overeem is certainly on an upswing in his career), Buentello can certainly make an argument that he belongs among the elite in the world.

Of course, in order to make that argument, he has to beat someone who’s place in the world is not negoatiable.Whether his next opponent ends up being Pedro Rizzo (16-8 MMA) or Gilbert Yvel (35-12-1-1 MMA) or some third party, the chances that it will be someone who’s status is not arguable is slim. However, if Buentello beats someone on the cusp of that upper echelon (like Yvel or Rizzo) he may be able to slip into the top tier.

It’s hard to say that a fighter deserves respect because he beat guys we’ve never heard of. As respectable as the late Gilbert Aldana (6-2 MMA, RIP) and Gary Goodridge (24-9 MMA) may be, it’s hard to build an argument for a top spot on that. While fighters like Brock Lesnar (3-1 MMA, #4 IWMMAR) may have virtually no experience in the sport, often a few high profile wins over respected opponents is enough to codify the image of a top fighter in the minds of the populus. The power of a single highlight clip cannot be underestimated, and the powerful punch of Lesnar sending Heath Herring (28-14-0-1 MMA) head over heels cannot be underestimated.

For an accomplished boxer like Buentello, attaining that kind of visual is impossible, especially when he lacks the profile. Buentello has the ability to destroy his opponents, but, as a boxer firmly rooted in the fundamentals, he does it over the course of a short while, leaving his opponent lost and confused and looking stupid, but not with a  single punch that can be easily trimmed into a highlight reel. This contributes a large deal to Buentello’s ability to fly under the radar.

The fact that Kiril Sidelnikov (5-3 MMA) was completely destroyed after their bout (and tested positive for steroids) means nothing to Buentello’s highlight reel, though it might make for a nice anecdote. The fact that Buentello spent three rounds destroying the Russian with his jab went unnoticed, because MMA fans don’t necessarily like watching a pro-boxing match that hinges on the lanky arms and quick left hand. Of course, that’s why Buentello isn’t seen as good. In reality, Buentello is very good.

Certainly, if he does end up fighting Rizzo or Yvel at Affliction: Trilogy, Buentello will be in for a tough fight. Both are phenomenal strikers with power, who demand respect from anyone who steps in the ring with them. Both posses a full arsenal of strikes, but so does Buentello, and his ability to make use of his hands and control the range of a fight is something that we don’t always show respect for.

As Paul enters a fight which will almost certainly be a battle deciding whether or not he enters the central consciousness as a top heavyweight or not, it should be remembered that Buentello, while not in the top tier, has the ability to hurt people, and the will to use it. This is a guy who understands the fundamentals of striking better than anybody in any combat sport, and that commands respect. Whether his fights are exciting to the casual fan, whether he too closely resembles a boxer (fair arguments over whether or not he is good for the sport), Paul Buentello is, and will continue to be, a dangerous and respectable fighter.

The rankings of fighters included in this article, listed with a number followed by “IWMMAR,” is from the June 2009 publication of the Independent World MMA Rankings panel’s rankings.