UFC 162: Silva v. Weidman (July 6th)

[AussieBuck]

Belfort would have knocked his head into the third row, absolutely. It's true. You gotta say that this involved an underestimation of Weidman, and so a disrespect.

And, yes, more than just having his hands down. He'd done that previously, always. This was anotehr level.

Yep if you're going to drop you hands you don't also decide to stand squared up.

[NZB2323]

The thing is Jones won't be able to make 205 forever. If he moves up to HW in three years and never beats a top 5 HW is he still GOAT?

With the way Fedor, Silva, and GSP have dominated their divisions, I think in order to be a clear-cut GOAT, a UFC fighter has to dominate 2 divisions. If Jones moves up to HW and beats Cain, JDS, Cormier, and Overeem, he's GOAT. If Silva takes a superfight against GSP and Jon Jones and beats them, he's GOAT. If GSP moves up to MW and dominates that division, he's GOAT. If Jose Aldo moves up to LW and destroys everyone, he's GOAT.

Cowboyronnie:

My bad, great analysis. I must have missed that.

[Cammo101]

The thing is Jones won't be able to make 205 forever.

Why?

[UN-Owen]

You could make the argument for Jones having the best peak, but career-wise he hasn't had enough career yet.

Jones can make 205, can't hold his freakish genetics against him. I don't think a move up is necessary to make an argument for GOAT, but even at LHW he's been fighting small guys. Sonnen and Belfort are middleweights. Machida is a middleweight in denial, Evans could make middleweight...

That's completely subjective though


How far into Michael Jordan's career was it okay to label him as the GOAT?

[High 5]

Jones can be the clear-cut GOAT by continuing on the path he's on. He's at worst thoroughly dominated everyone he's faced and he already has one of the most impressive resumes in MMA history. Beating the best at HW would only make sure nobody ever surpassed him.

[NZB2323]

The thing is Jones won't be able to make 205 forever.

Why?

He's 25 years old and 6'4". He won't be able to make 205 when he's in his 30s.

[K1NG]

The two-division criteria for GOAT is important in my books. Fedor fought his entire career at heavyweight when he could've been better suited at light heavyweight. Silva cleared out the middleweight division and tested himself multiple times at light heavyweight, dominating each time. Jones is still getting bigger and his division is getting thinner. If he doesn't challenge himself by moving to heavyweight I'd be disappointed.

[Cammo101]

The two-division criteria for GOAT is important in my books. Fedor fought his entire career at heavyweight when he could've been better suited at light heavyweight. Silva cleared out the middleweight division and tested himself multiple times at light heavyweight, dominating each time. Jones is still getting bigger and his division is getting thinner. If he doesn't challenge himself by moving to heavyweight I'd be disappointed.

Silva was never tested at 205. He fought there a couple times for novelty. Of all the greats, BJ Penn and Dan Henderson are really the only two to move up a weight class to "test themselves". The vast majority of elite guys did not.

Jon Jones can easily become the GOAT by staying at 205.

[K1NG]

Forrest Griffin was novelty? That just goes to show how amazing Silva is, that he can make a fight against a former champion (who was in his prime) look like child's play.

I'd hope for some novelty fights for Jones at heavyweight at the very least.

[Jasen777]

That's completely subjective though


How far into Michael Jordan's career was it okay to label him as the GOAT?

It is largely subjective, but not completely. Jones hasn't had to face getting old and having his athleticism slip yet.

As for Jordan, I'd say after his second 3-peat, but I'm a bit conservative on such things. In any case, it was quite a bit after he was 25.

[Cammo101]

Forrest Griffin was novelty? That just goes to show how amazing Silva is, that he can make a fight against a former champion (who was in his prime) look like child's play.

I'd hope for some novelty fights for Jones at heavyweight at the very least.

It was and it does.

[REDDzone]

I know it'll never happen, but my ideal scenario is that Silva takes a warm up fight against Bisping and Weidman defends against a deserving ViTRT.

Weidman wins by TKO or brutal submission, a refocused Silva embarrasses Bisping, and then the anticipation for the rematch would be insane maybe for July 4th next year.

[UN-Owen]

That's completely subjective though


How far into Michael Jordan's career was it okay to label him as the GOAT?

It is largely subjective, but not completely. Jones hasn't had to face getting old and having his athleticism slip yet.

As for Jordan, I'd say after his second 3-peat, but I'm a bit conservative on such things. In any case, it was quite a bit after he was 25.

Jordan's 63 point performance during the playoffs against the Celtics cemented his place in the minds of many as the GOAT

He was 22 or 23


An argument can be made that Bones hasn't reached his physical prime yet and will get better before he gets worse

[Mehar]

Just read today that Silva wants an immediate rematch now and wants it this year. Good to hear that.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/7/10/45 ... match-this

[K1NG]

Jordan's 63 point performance during the playoffs against the Celtics cemented his place in the minds of many as the GOAT

He was 22 or 23


An argument can be made that Bones hasn't reached his physical prime yet and will get better before he gets worse