It always stirs controversy and almost certainly is unfair to compare competitors from different time periods, but we still do. Is Mark McGuire better than Babe Ruth or could Jadi Tention beat Steve “Nasty” Anderson in his prime? We will never know the answers, but it makes for interesting and sometimes heated conversations. Although there are many comparisons that could be made between past and present karate champions, one that is being heard more and more often is whether Nicki Carlson-Lee is the best women fighter of all times. Could she beat the craftiness and strength of Linda Denley or the versatility and athleticism of Arlene Limas? Many believe she could.

Nicki Carlson-Lee has been the most consistent woman fighter on the NASKA circuit for some years. She has everything you want in a fighter: reach, technique, flexibility, speed, strength, intelligence, and patience. In 1998 Nicki was undefeated with seven straight grand championships. She took time off in 1999 but then came back with a vengeance in 2000. Racking up 9 straight grand championships without being defeated, she earned NASKA’s Best 18-29 year old Women’s Fighting World Champion Title.

Although many believe that fighting may have taken a back seat to the excitement of the weapons and form grand championships in the last few years, fights between Nicki and her biggest rival and NASKA’s Best Fighting Women in 1999 – Dottie White – has kept the fans in their seats until the last bell rings. Nicki may have Dottie’s number when it comes to wins, but you can bet it will be a gripping fight until the end. It’s great match-ups like Nicki and Dottie that bring back the excitement when fighting was the king in the 70’s and 80’s.

We will never know whether Nicki could have beaten Arlene and Linda in their prime, but it’s still fascinating thinking about it.