GDT: UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Moicano

[I am not exposed]

So a bit of chatter about Merab being the greatest Bantamweight of all time. I think he needs some title defenses tbh. Still have it as Cruz. With Sterling having a decent shout as well.

 

[16Skippy]

He beat all the legit lightweight contenders already, and it sounds like Arman blew his chance. He was the only guy who actually looked competitive against Islam. I'm a big fan of Oliveira but he'll get destroyed again(By Islam), that fight doesn't do much for me. He had nothing for Islam in the first fight. Gaethje or Hooker have no business in the cage with him, even if one wins in spectacular fashion. Has to be Topuria or Arman if the fight takes place at 155, and the latter seems unlikely based on recent comments.

None of the rematches really do anything for Islam's legacy since he already smoked them, I just don't see the point of him wasting another weight cut like that unless it's for something special.

Islam's the man and I believe he's by far the best LW but they've given him a FW twice (once on short notice), a fan favorite who did not deserve a shot, and another short notice replacement.

If the winner of Hooker-Gaethje looks great I'd have no problem with them getting a shot.

Arman would be ideal but it doesn't seem like Dana is going to give Arman the next shot, so a #1 contender fight might need to happen. And we don't know what his recovery timeline is (if it is even really an injury and not a doping violation).

 

[bov]

Islam's the man and I believe he's by far the best LW but they've given him a FW twice (once on short notice), a fan favorite who did not deserve a shot, and another short notice replacement.

If the winner of Hooker-Gaethje looks great I'd have no problem with them getting a shot.

Arman would be ideal but it doesn't seem like Dana is going to give Arman the next shot, so a #1 contender fight might need to happen. And we don't know what his recovery timeline is (if it is even really an injury and not a doping violation).

Islam made Hooker look like a child in their fight. He could've won blindfolded. Gaethje hasn't fought him yet, so he has that going for him, but the guy is 3-3 in his last six and just got ktfo by a featherweight (love Max don't get me wrong). I don't see how a Gaethje fight does anything at all for Islam's legacy. But it's an easy paycheck and not a rematch so I guess I'll give it a slight chance of happening with a crazy finish by Gaethje over Hooker.

I'm 100% still on board with the Arman rematch and prefer that over any other at 155, just going by Dana's comments after the recent event. Yes you can make the 145er argument with Volk/Ilia but we're talking about 2 of the most exceptional fighters in recent memory. They deserve these opportunities over essential journeymen who Islam already took out.

 

[I Hart Conor Garland]

I feel like I haven't seen you post these anytime recently before now. Is this a Cali thing and we don't normally get em from Neveda hosted events?

 

[MMC]

I feel like I haven't seen you post these anytime recently before now. Is this a Cali thing and we don't normally get em from Neveda hosted events?

Yep only a few states do the weigh in on fight day

 

[BGDDYKWL]

Merab is unbelievable. I know he's been getting all kinds of praise after this performance but I'd still argue he's underrated. Umar is legit, and Merab, I don't wanna say dominated, but comfortably controlled the later rounds. His pace is likely the best ever. And I know some don't, but I find him extremely entertaining.

Not much to say about Islam, he dominated a guy everyone expected him to. Credit to him for taking the fight on virtually no notice though - nothing to gain and everything to lose.

Probably sounds crazy but I'm not COMPLETELY sold on him yet as an all-timer. Volk gave him real problems in their first fight. Not that that is that damning, but Poirier and Oliveira have holes, and they've been there for years. Khabib would dominate Islam IMO.

Good to see Jiri dispose of Hill, I've had my fill of him. I typically have no interest in third fights where the same guy lost both times, but Jiri is one of a very small handful of guys you feel like actually could beat Pereira.

 

[Taytro]

Probably sounds crazy but I'm not COMPLETELY sold on him yet as an all-timer. Volk gave him real problems in their first fight. Not that that is that damning, but Poirier and Oliveira have holes, and they've been there for years. Khabib would dominate Islam IMO.

While Khabib excelled at wrestling more than anyone we've ever seen, Islam is significantly more well rounded. Islam's striking is years ahead of Khabib, while Islam still manages to dominate in the wrestling the same way Khabib did.

I'm not saying Islam is better by any means but comparing the two is really difficult. The two guys you're saying Islam beat but have "holes" is silly considering Khabib's notable wins were Justin, Dustin, and Connor. Islam already has more UFC wins and more title defenses than Khabib so, it's hard to dismiss him.

 

[Nakatomi]

While Khabib excelled at wrestling more than anyone we've ever seen, Islam is significantly more well rounded. Islam's striking is years ahead of Khabib, while Islam still manages to dominate in the wrestling the same way Khabib did.

I'm not saying Islam is better by any means but comparing the two is really difficult. The two guys you're saying Islam beat but have "holes" is silly considering Khabib's notable wins were Justin, Dustin, and Connor. Islam already has more UFC wins and more title defenses than Khabib so, it's hard to dismiss him.

Plus Conor in retrospect was not the best win, imo. The guy only ever has one win ever at that weight class and their fight came after a crazy long layoff and changes to his style around the Mayweather fight.

Still a needed win for Khabib's legacy but really not proving that much in terms of all-time discussions imo.

 

[bov]

Khabib just seemed impossible to finish, especially by KO. Whereas Islam has been knocked out before and doesn't have that same aura of invincibility. Skill for skill he may have more weapons, but aside from a more polished standup game I don't see where he would get the better of Khabib. One or two more wins and Islam probably takes over but I'm leaning Khabib right now.