That quote has been thrown around in conversations about MMA for many years, and boxing for many more, in a variety of different contexts. While some of the arguments it’s used to prop up are specious—please spare me the idea that an incumbent belt holder should receive the benefit of the doubt in close fights—I do have an appreciation for the historical heft and unassailable validity of a lineal approach to championships. With that in mind, here is the first of a series of infographics tracing the wanderings of famous belts long thought defunct.
Pride Fighting Championships graced the planet from 1997 to 2007 and was arguably the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion for much of that time, but it did not crown its first heavyweight champion until nearly halfway into its existence.