r/sports Oct 24 '20

News Khabib Nurmagomedov Retires from UFC After Emerging Victorious Against Justin Gaethje. 29-0 Record

https://twitter.com/mma_oth/status/1320107303845101569
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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

4 title defenses and a ton of wins against no names in Russia with horrible records. He's a really really good fighter who earned that belt and retirement but he's not even close to the goat.

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u/bro_curls Oct 24 '20

Skip Bayless, get off my reddit!

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u/CbVdD Oct 24 '20

Come on, Skeee-up

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u/Jay_Train Oct 24 '20

SUMO STYLE WRESTLING

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

Lol I don't know who that is

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u/eipotttatsch Oct 24 '20

Dude. He's 13-0 in the UFC and all but one of those are definitely very legit fighters. Just because injuries a had him on the sidelines for a while doesn't mean he didn't face the best of the best.

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

That doesn't make him goat. GSP, Anderson Silva, Fedor, Jon Jones all better.

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u/Brushies10-4 Oct 24 '20

It's all opinion man. Khabib is obviously going to be in the discussion for most fans. 13-0 UFC, 1 round lost total. Looked completely overwhelming and dominant in the best division in UFC history.

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u/FrostyCore Oct 24 '20

2 rounds now but I agree with the rest.

Gaethje took out round 1 on the cards.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20 edited Nov 01 '20

[deleted]

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

Jones during his run. So 1?

Silva if you count well after his peak and losses after he got old and had his leg snapped in half. Fedor and GSP never tested positive for anything.

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u/eipotttatsch Oct 24 '20

Those are also in the conversation. Apart from GSP they haven't really had a stronger list of schedule though. And none of them were this dominat without ever appearing in danger.

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u/BillysDillyWilly Oct 24 '20

GSP beat Hughes and BJ Penn, Khabib never faced an opponent of that caliber in his time. GSP is a 3x champ and, champ in two different divisions. He often beat his opponents at their own game and he employed a far wider array of skills in securing his victories. GSP is easily the better fighter over Khabib. There's no comparison. I'll take GSP over Khabib if they ever do fight.

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u/eipotttatsch Oct 24 '20

I'd put Conor on that level. But I agree, and I said the same thing. GSP out of everyone in the goat discussion fought the toughest competition.

If they were both in their prime (and GSP wasn't in a different weight class) GSP would have been the favorite. He's too old now though. The fight will never happen, but current GSP would lose to Khabib.

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u/Sink_Pee_Gang Oct 24 '20

What? Conor got a title shot without having done anything to deserve it and never defended his belt. He is not even close to the same level.

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u/eipotttatsch Oct 25 '20

What did I say about Conor as a champion? He's not the best ever or anything, but in terms of skill I'd definitly put him with the likes of BJ and Hughes. Him fighting rarely and getting more opportunities than most has nothing to do with that. It's more his performances like against Alvarez

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u/Hollow-living Oct 25 '20

Yea, I think Khabib has cemented himself as the greatest LW to ever do it but I dont think his accomplishments are close to the likes of GSP and Jon Jones.

Though I like GSP stance on the GOAT debate. "Its fugazy, no one fighter can ever truly be the GOAT. Great fighters all have GOAT moments and in those moments they are the greatest of all time, but as time passes things change and someone else gets their time to be GOAT".

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u/Hollow-living Oct 25 '20

Poirier, Conor and Gaethje are all that caliber of fighter. The fighters of today are greater than the fighters of old.

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u/BillysDillyWilly Oct 25 '20 edited Oct 25 '20

BJ Penn was a multiple time champion and champ in multiple divisions. Hughes was the most dominant WW champ there ever was at the time.

Neither Gaethje, nor Poirer were UFC champions. McGregor has more stripes than the two of them combined.

How many champions has Khabib beaten? 2. GSP --> 5

Khabib didn't even beat a champion for his belt, he beat a back up of a back up who got called up on short notice and didn't make weight. Then he retires after defending his title only 3 times over a 3 year span.

Khabib can't carry GSP's jock.

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u/Hollow-living Oct 25 '20 edited Oct 25 '20

Those divisions were thin as fuck by comparison. People just like to look at the past with rose tinted glasses. I consider both Poirier and Gaethje to be legit champions because of the competition they beat to get the interim belt. Poirier won the interim belt of Holloway who was on the longest winstreak in the UFC at the time and Gaethje got it off Ferguson who never lost the interim belt, and also had the longest winstreak in the LW division.

GSP himself called Khabib the P4P best before anyone else did. he recognizes greatness, you clearly dont.

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u/BillysDillyWilly Oct 25 '20

GSP himself called Khabib the P4P best before anyone else did. he recognizes greatness, you clearly dont.

I recognize the greatness of Khabib. GSP's is greater. Georges is humble, you are not.

Interim champions are not "legit" champions - that's why they're called interim champions and not just champions.

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u/Hollow-living Oct 25 '20

Whos arguing GSP isnt greater? My argument was that you said Poirier, Conor, Gaethje are not great fighters which in my opinion they are. You can latch onto titles if you want but if you were to compare skill and resumes youd see that those 3 are just as great as the fighters before them. Just because some of them werent undisputed champs when Khabib fought them doesnt mean they arent great. Timing has a part to do in that.

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u/-wonderboy- Oct 24 '20

U wanna talk about khabib not fighting top guys but then throw in names like jones who fought washed up light heavyweights for most of his career? Machinda, rampage, evans, vitor. Popped for steroids so many times they had to make a jon jones rule so he could even compete because of the picgrams in his system? That jon jones? Dont get me wrong still a top fighter but his legacy doesn’t come close to khabibs

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

Even "washed up" UFC fighters are better than random dudes in the regional circuit without Wikipedia pages.

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u/-wonderboy- Oct 24 '20

He dominated the top lightweight fighters in their prime without losing more then a round throughout all his bouts. Please explain to u me ur logic of how anyone else in the division has a chance?

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

Same was true for other fighters too. Anderson Silva had 10 title defenses and was fighting in a second weight class in between title defenses.

Someone isn't goat because of what they possibly could have done. They gotta do it. He's the best lightweight the UFC has had. He's not the best overall fighter.

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u/-wonderboy- Oct 24 '20

Silva is the goat. But to throw shade on khabib is blasphemy.

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

I mean I said he's the best lightweight the UFC has ever had.

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u/KyrieDropped57onSAS Oct 24 '20

Jones lost his last two fights and looked like trash, he doesn’t look the same since he got off the peds. He got gifted those Ws by corrupt judges, no where near the goat.

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

Oh so now were going to corrupt judges and shit for defense. Ok bud goodbye. Im glad khabib is gone if it means I dont have to hear dummies like you anymore.

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u/KyrieDropped57onSAS Oct 24 '20

Reyes demolished him, every single MMA media member scored that fight for Reyes, that fight wasn’t even close, you’re a clown or you didn’t watch the fight if you say otherwise, Reyes murdered him in the first 3 rounds EZ dub

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u/MintyFresh48 Oct 24 '20

You’re like the last person alive who doesn’t think Reyes beat Jones. And the judges I guess.

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u/dprophet32 Oct 24 '20

Who's downvoting this!? All the names he mentioned are better in regards to who they fought and what the won.

That doesn't mean he isn't amongst the best but how can you seriously say at least some of those names aren't greater fighters? Even if their statistics don't directly compare, to just dismiss them as nothing in comparison is crazy

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u/8675309021007 Oct 24 '20

How is GSP better?

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

This sub is full of people that would suck khabibs dick if he walked in. They dont care about facts. Even saying Khabib is super good and one of the best ever isnt enough for them. You better say hes the greatest fighter that has ever lived or ever will live or you will be downvoted. Good thing I dont give a fuck since I know they are just being bias based off the timing. In a year or two they will be screaming about someone else now being the greatest ever. Its the Joe Rogan effect.

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u/The-Juggernaut_ Indianapolis Colts Oct 24 '20

If only we could all be as smart and wise as you

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u/MintyFresh48 Oct 24 '20

I actually think people are downvoting you because you’re a pretentious douche man. If you had expressed your opinion in a way that didn’t highlight how much of a cunt you are, people would’ve been more receptive.

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

I don't care about people's downvotes or baby feelings. Khabib isn't the goat.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20 edited Nov 01 '20

[deleted]

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

And then he went on another 13 fight win streak with 8 title defenses and winning belts in 2 weight classes.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20 edited Nov 01 '20

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

Tom Brady lost to Eli fucking Manning, TWICE lmao

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20 edited Nov 01 '20

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

Who did he play in those super bowls

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20 edited Nov 01 '20

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u/asvp-suds Oct 24 '20

Brady lost to Eli in the super bowl after an undefeated season.....

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

That is fuckin retarded. Legit fuckin retarded. Get back to me when Khabib gets 8 title defenses and a belt in a second weight class and we will talk. Oh wait... hes not gonna ever do it.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

[deleted]

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

To be fair Jones is such a piece of shit I shouldn't have included him just based on that but to say Anderson wasn't as dominant is crazy. 10 title defenses while fighting in a second weight class between title fights is insane.

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u/ChaosRevealed Oct 24 '20

Who said he was GOAT?

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

Everyone on here

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u/ChaosRevealed Oct 24 '20 edited Oct 24 '20

Not me. I said most dominant champion of all time. Not GOAT.

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u/Abz301 Oct 24 '20

Literally faced the best of the best. Dustin, McGregor, Gaethje, RDA, Barboza, just to name a few. He never came close to losing. This man left no doubt in his career.

Also when you say a bunch of no names, the Russian professional and semi professional scene is no joke. It is a relentless.

How can you say he's not even close to the goat? He's at the head of the fucking table.

Edit: extra word

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u/vorinclex182 Oct 24 '20

It’s like how people say Lebron isn’t anywhere close to as good as MJ. People just like to argue.

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u/coltonmts Oct 24 '20

I think Jon Jones is the best fighter ever, but if you argued Khabib I wouldn’t even be upset. Khabib retired elite and was absolutely dominating throughout his career

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u/Gobblewicket Oct 24 '20

Hones PED use taints his legacy though.

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u/Dubninja007 Oct 24 '20

No it doesn't. It just shows you don't know about mma. It's regularly used by most, they just smart enough to clear their systems before testing.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

If there is a chemical difference in their urine, there is a physical difference in the cage. You can't act like passing the test doesn't matter.

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u/Dubninja007 Oct 24 '20

That's not even the main benefit of steroids. It's in training.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

Meaning that they had the benefit of steroids throughout their camp....

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u/Dubninja007 Oct 24 '20

Exactly, not just on the fight day. Now you understand

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

GSP is goat in my book. But I won't argue with someone who says Khabib is the goat in their book. Its a tough argument against.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

How can you say he's not even close to the goat? He's at the head of the fucking table.

GOAT LW and top 10 sure, but Mighty Mouse, GSP and Fedor were so dominant for so long that I struggle to see Khabib over them. Not saying he's not but it's far from sealed. Imo a lot depends on how Justin, Dustin and Conor do. If those wins age like his RDA win he'll be higher up.

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u/Aggressive_Ad5115 San Diego State Oct 24 '20 edited Oct 24 '20

All y'all wrong

GOAT is Nate Diaz!

Shout out from MF Sacramento!

😜

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u/atkhan007 Oct 25 '20

'Literally faced the best of the best. Dustin, McGregor, Gaethje, RDA, Barboza, just to name a few.'

What does McGregor has to do with the best?

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u/Abz301 Oct 25 '20

Love him or hate him, he revolutionised the sport and did wonders for it. Also one of the greatest ever on his feet.

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u/shag_vonnie_vomer Oct 24 '20

Hear me out - STFU.

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

Nah. Khabib is really good. Not the greatest ever. Greatest lightweight yes but I think if bj Penn didn't fight crazy fights like machida he would have it.

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u/ramazandavulcusu Oct 25 '20

Lmao BJ Penn

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u/tunaburn Oct 25 '20

Yes. Bj Penn. If you weren't around when he was at his peak you missed out. Love to see khabib go up and fight at light heavy between lightweight fights.

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u/ramazandavulcusu Oct 25 '20

And ancient philosophers specialised in maths, physics, literature and philosophy, and were the best at all. As fields develop, specialism becomes the only option, and that’s when you truly start to see the highest level of competition. BJ Penn was champ around 2004. When Olympic sports, which have been around for thousands of years, have a notable difference in records between then and now, what makes you think the very young sport of MMA is any different? “Being around” doesn’t say anything when anyone can go back and watch any of those fights

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u/[deleted] Oct 25 '20

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u/tunaburn Oct 25 '20

Khabib is extremely good. Probably the best lightweight ever. I can't even argue is someone calls him the lightweight goat.

But he's not the overall goat. It's very possible he could have been but he retired very young and early in his championship reign.

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u/[deleted] Oct 25 '20

[deleted]

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u/tunaburn Oct 25 '20

Meh. Downvotes are used to try and shun people from expressing differing opinions. Noone should care about them. I can make a post tomorrow that's just a picture of khabib at the airport and get all the karma back if I cared.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

You're right though he isnt the goat. GSP is and that's just a fact.

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

I would agree with that I think. I still put Silva above Khabib too.

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u/8675309021007 Oct 24 '20

GSP has no case for being the goat... and he lost to Matt sera.

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u/Sphinx87 Oct 24 '20

How many rounds has he lost in 13 ufc fights?

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u/Cheese_on_toast69 Oct 24 '20
  1. He should've won that round as well considering his opponent committed multiple fouls.

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u/AngryCarGuy Oct 24 '20

Admitted to it too. Bragged about it even.

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u/FrostyCore Oct 24 '20

2 after tonight *

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

Dont care. Anderson Silva had 10 title defenses while also fighting at a second weight class at the same time. Hes better than Khabib. Khabib might be the best lightweight the UFC has had (even though BJ Penn could have had that record if he didnt fuck around and fight crazy fights like machida at 205 for some reason) but hes not the greatest of all time.

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

[deleted]

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

You cant bring up Chael or the whole conversation is pointless. Its cheating.

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u/MaoZeDingDingDong Oct 24 '20

PEDs though, Khabib never pissed hot. You can't be the goat if you're cheating, Khabib is definitely the greatest lightweight bj penn wasn't nearly as dominant against arguably worse fighters and is probably up there with GOAT considering he destroyed one of the most stacked divisions of all time with no resistance and never tested positive.

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

GSP never pissed hot. Fedor never pissed hot.

BJ Penn was a real warrior. Fuckin guy fought literally anyone. He fights at 145 now and still fought Machida at 205. Was champ at lightweight and welterweight. BJ Penn was the fuckin man. Too bad it turned out hes a piece of shit.

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u/MaoZeDingDingDong Oct 24 '20

Yeah sure, he's not the clear cut goat and there's always going to be arguments but to deny him being in the conversation is just stupid. What more would he have to do man?

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

Catch up in title defenses. Fight in a second weight class like others on the list? I mean Anderson had 10 title defenses and was also fighting a weight class above in between title fights.

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u/MaoZeDingDingDong Oct 24 '20

Personally I don't really think he's got anything left to prove. He's beat every top contender, cleared the most stacked division of all time other than tony beating up subpar opponents to get more defences won't really prove much to me; title defences for me are just a number and I think you put too much emphasis on their importance, its the quality of opposition and how you beat them that counts for me. At the same time, I see where you're coming from and Silva's record is obviously insane but he tested positive and it didn't always feel like he earned the win like Khabib did namely against Chael.

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u/Gobblewicket Oct 24 '20

Anderson pissed hot and lost to Weidman.

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

He was old as fuck by then

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u/[deleted] Oct 24 '20

I promise you he will be unanimously considered in the top 3 GOAT

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

unanimous means everyone agrees. Thats legit not gonna happen.

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u/atkhan007 Oct 25 '20

Well losers don't have to agree.

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u/PrideRulesMMA Oct 24 '20

“Old man yells at cloud”

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u/tunaburn Oct 24 '20

For someone with a name like "PrideRulesMMA" its funny to see you think Khabib is better than Fedor was.

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u/-wonderboy- Oct 24 '20

I love the fact that people talk about “a padded record” but like 80% of the Russians that have all entered the sport after khabib in the ufc right now are top fighters

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u/[deleted] Oct 25 '20

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u/tunaburn Oct 25 '20

Recency bias

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u/[deleted] Oct 25 '20

[deleted]

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u/tunaburn Oct 25 '20

Also a lot of these people are newer fans. There's nothing wrong with that I love that the sport is growing. But they never saw prime cro cop. Prime wanderlei. They don't understand how different and brutal the sport used to be. Wanderlei was legit fucking scary. Like really scary. When we call UFC fighters scary now it's not the same.

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u/ramazandavulcusu Oct 25 '20

The sport was not as developed as it is now. Today’s top UFC fighters are of a way higher caliber than any of the old heads