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Pros/Cons of each possible LHW GOAT
I'm pretty bored so I decided to make a pros/cons list of each of the fighters generally considered LHW GOAT. I hope this can be a logical and analytical discussion, but as this is sherdog I doubt it.
Bear in mind my pros/cons list is an attempt to be objective but still probably relatively subjective as I didn't ask for anyone else's thoughts when I created it, and I do have my own opinions on the matter. I did take into account intangibles as well as tangibles as I feel both are relevant, though maybe not equally. Also, the record by their name is vs. the others on this list.
Shogun: 2-2
Pros
-Has beaten Rampage(Prime), and Chuck(not so much)
-Highlight reel of Devastating KOs
-Put together the most dominant year in Pride, if not MMA history-2005
-Won what most consider the most stacked LHW Tourney in history -Pride '05 GP
-UFC Champion
Cons
-Losses to Jones, and Hendo(on paper.)
-Very inconsistent post 2005, especially since joining the UFC (5-4) Although 3 of those losses have considerable question marks
-Never put together a dominant Title streak or even defended it.
*Note: Most tend to think he would have been Pride Champ if he had fought Wanderlei.
Rampage: 4-4
Pros
-Wins over Chuck(twice), Wanderlei(not prime), Hendo.
-Knockouts, slams, general brutality
-UFC Champion with a title defense.
-Has fought literally everyone most people have heard of.
Cons
-No sustained period of dominance
-Lost to Wanderlei(twice) Shogun and Jones
-Terrible TUF coach(I put that in there for my own amusement)
Hendo:2-2
Pros
-Wins over Wanderlei, Shogun(on paper)
-Devasting KO's, especially in later career
-Never been KOed/TKOed
-Won Pride Title and Strikeforce Title(not as important)
Cons
-Lost to Wanderlei, Rampage
-Never defended any of his titles
-Never held UFC title
*Note: Dan has spent much of his career fighting in multiple weight classes, and as such isn't really even a dedicated LHW, which can be seen as both a pro and a con.
Jones: 2-0
Pros
-Defeated Shogun, Rampage.
-Technically undefeated
-Dominant title reign with 4 defenses against all former champions in a short period of time.
-Finishes in 4/5 title fights.
-2011 Campaign rivals Shogun's 2005.
Cons
-Still young, his career hasn't really played out yet.
-Arguable that the people he's beating are not in their primes anymore(not really said prior to his reign however.)
-No one likes him.
Chuck: 1-3
Pros
-Wins over Wanderlei (both past prime),
-Dominant runs during Tito's reign in which he was being ducked, as well as a dominant title run
- 4 title defenses, all KO's/TKO's
-Probably the most famous
Cons
-Lost to Rampage(twice), Shogun
-Probably faced the weaker competition out of all 6 (still solid, namely Randy, Tito, and Vitor, who are probably all top ten all time.)
-Quick and brutal fall from grace.
Wanderlei: 3-3
Pros
-Wins over Rampage(twice), Hendo
-Pride Champion
-4 title defenses, 4/5 title fights are finishes
-Great Highlight reel
Cons
-Losses to Rampage, Hendo, Chuck
-2 title defenses were basically gimme fights.
-No UFC title, though he didn't join the UFC until he had faded.
-Inconsistent in later career, though still hanging on.
Basically my big take away from this analysis is that none of the GOAT candidates have really solidified themselves as head and shoulders above their peers, and that's why this argument even exists. Just look at their records against each other, with Jones+2, Wanderlei, Rampage, Shogun, Hendo all at 0, and Chuck -2.
Jones seems to have the best chance to firmly establish himself as the LHW GOAT, but I think the numbers still favor him largely because he's still young.
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"Never have I thought, I'm going to be sore tomorrow. Being injured, that just means another shot of whiskey to me."
Cowboy
Last edited by CajunOutlaw; 11-16-2012 at 08:00 PM.
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