Steven Seagal MMA Master or Fat Buddha?

So this past year we have seen the rise of Steven Segal as an MMA guru to the stars.  Anderson Silva, Machida, and Wiedman have all to some extent had a line like connect the dots drawn to them.  So my question is it Steven Segals ability to show that as people run at you with locked and extended arms you can throw them around and break them like twigs or is there something deeper here?  

For those of you who don't know or never trained in Aikido this guy is legit.  In Aikido linage is everything much like BJJ.  Segal trained under guys in Japan that trace right back to Ueshiba the creator of Aikido.  Aikido was a modern form of martial arts which really is a modern take on the Samurai Martial practices.  

What does the community think of Segal?

It's hard to say how much Steven Seagal has done for MMA. My personal opinion is that he wants some attention by being around fighters like Machida or Silva. Here is video of an UFC 148 pre-fight interview with Cung Le:




Go to the 4:33 minute mark. It's interesting what he had to say and I pretty much agree with him.

* Edited at 07.16.2012, 11:53 AM ET *

What did i just watch? was ariel pranking on le?

Since when has he been referred to as sensei seagal?

Steven Seagal is a fame ***** and an ******* of a human being, you could tell by the way he carries himself. He's your typical cowardly villain, only in real life.

He's still hilariously awesome though, I just don't think it's intentional.

ariel is kidding. he is holding back a smirk. where is that cartoon video of seagal kicking zhit and then he wakes up from the dream. that was really funny.

Good for cung for not following others ******** and speaking the truth.

im glad someone did

@wolfmanhowl
this one?

lol,

I hate Ariel now. he is a person that egg people on and does not get his facts right. and to honesty say that Seagal helped mma, is like saying that I had a huge impact to the french revaluation.

and him being surprised that Cung spoke the truth is just stupid.

thats the one. best part is when stallone is giving his look of disbelief from outside the store.

@ AnikM: ROFL

Here is the first episode:

* Edited at 07.16.2012, 1:07 PM ET *

I am on the floor in tears after those videos .... ahhh good stuff!

Add aspiring hip hop artist to the thread title:

Once upon a time, Seagal was a respectable martial artist.  Now, he's just a fat charlatan.  I'm not sure exactly what the real relationship is between him and Blackhouse, but it's very clear to me in his interviews that he's full of it. 

If you think I'm wrong.......well, there's this bridge in Brooklyn that I'd like to sell to you....

Helwani is not trolling in that interview with Cung by the way.  He confirmed on the MMA Hour that he honestly buys all of this B.S.  Not surprising really.  Helwani covers MMA like he thinks it's pro-wrestling.

why is Seagal even getting threads on this website. He has done nothing for mma, and never wil, he is a "master" of a sissy martial art that isnt even a little practical in mma. The fact that troll threads like this even exist makes me lol  just a little...

Explain Troll thread?  I actually posted this to ask the opinions of the community.  I believe that all martial arts have a place in MMA (hence mixed).  Segal is the only non US Akido Master to practice in Japan.  Yea he is an oaf at times but the guy devoted a fair amount of his life to the study of martial arts.  Anderson and Machida seem to think this guy has something going on.   

Its really just the crane kick that i am wondering if his influence is valid or not.  The school I train at has akido / Combat akido as well as your usual MMA options (Mua Thai, BJJ, Boxing, Grappeling).  Our school is acredited under Gabriel Santos, he was awarded his black from Paulo Filho.  Santos got his brown in Brazil under Gracie.  And that guy speaks highly of Segal.  

So I guess I'm curious as to why a 7th degree akido master from Okinawa gets so little respect.   Look we can make fun of him ... and he is funny.  His music sucks,  but he makes it.  His movies suck,  but I have enjoyed more than 1 of them.  His TV show is hilarious ...  But is there substance to adding Akido ontop of your other basic MMA disciplines?  

Lets be real here, what did Seagal teach Silva and Machida that they used in the cage? Front kicks? dont make me lol at you man....

Well, how about this:  You see the white guy getting tossed in my avatar?  He choked out Seagal and made Seagal **** himself.  Enough said.

P.S. Ariel Helwani is a funny man.

* Edited at 07.16.2012, 2:29 PM ET *

I didn't know Helwani was so far up Seagal's ass. What a tool-bag.