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The GOAT discussion gets brought up like 20x a day on Sherdog, and I think people are too quick to label their guy "THE" guy. When you talk about the GOAT it's a complicated discussion. How do we define GOAT??? Is it longest win streak? Most title defenses? Toughest opposition? Ability to bounce between weight classes successfully? Etc. Rarely, is there one quantitative or qualitative factor. With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to have a meaningful discussion around this, rather than a point fingers and single out kinda discussion. Trolls welcome too.
Generally speaking the GOAT discussion includes 4 fighters; Jones, Silva, GSP and Fedor. Feel free to add your feedback..
Fedor
Pro's: Longest win streak at HW, undefeated in Pride, beat 4 UFC HW champs, beat arguably the best HW during their primes, the fact that he did this at HW where KO's happen in an instant, and looked sensational is an X factor that cannot be overlooked.
Cons: A lot of those "wins" were against cans, never fought in the UFC, got smoked when faced "real competition" later in his career
Jones:
Pro's: Longest win streak at LHW (barring DQ loss), Most title defenses, Most win's over quality competition- arguably more than any other "GOAT"- includes several former champs in their primes, number one prospects, seasoned veterans and undefeated fighters (Cormier), has never truly lost (save for DQ over Hamill where he dominated).
Cons: Large periods of inactivity, very real possibility he used steroids to win (as he's already tested positive), Gus win should have been a loss
Silva:
Pros: Longest reign as MW champ AND longest reign as champ in UFC, Most title defenses at MW AND most title defenses PERIOD, fought several times as LHW and won those too, looked indestructible in most of his fights
Cons: Fought arguably the weakest competition of any long reigning champ, possibly used steroids (as he tested positive once), Has tainted legacy with several losses in his twilight years
GSP:
Pros: Longest reign as WW champ and most title defenses as champ. Avenged only 2 losses against both fighters (Hughes 2x, Serra), able to develop strongest game plans for individual fighters,
Cons: Like Silva, he didn't fight exclusively high caliber level fighters (such as Jones), (really) lost to Hendricks. Never fought in any other weight classes. Measured approach to fighting excludes him, because he was a "chess" player rather than trying to win fights
What does everyone think? For my money I have to go with Jon Jones. Love him or hate him (I hate him...my favorite is Fedor) I think he's the clear GOAT. He's beaten the best level of opposition, never TRULY lost and has looked almost indestructible save for the Gus fight. GSP, Silva and Fedor have arguments to be made as far as titles and length of win streaks, but I just think that Jones has faced the most former champs, prospects and great fighters and looked good beating them all.
Generally speaking the GOAT discussion includes 4 fighters; Jones, Silva, GSP and Fedor. Feel free to add your feedback..
Fedor
Pro's: Longest win streak at HW, undefeated in Pride, beat 4 UFC HW champs, beat arguably the best HW during their primes, the fact that he did this at HW where KO's happen in an instant, and looked sensational is an X factor that cannot be overlooked.
Cons: A lot of those "wins" were against cans, never fought in the UFC, got smoked when faced "real competition" later in his career
Jones:
Pro's: Longest win streak at LHW (barring DQ loss), Most title defenses, Most win's over quality competition- arguably more than any other "GOAT"- includes several former champs in their primes, number one prospects, seasoned veterans and undefeated fighters (Cormier), has never truly lost (save for DQ over Hamill where he dominated).
Cons: Large periods of inactivity, very real possibility he used steroids to win (as he's already tested positive), Gus win should have been a loss
Silva:
Pros: Longest reign as MW champ AND longest reign as champ in UFC, Most title defenses at MW AND most title defenses PERIOD, fought several times as LHW and won those too, looked indestructible in most of his fights
Cons: Fought arguably the weakest competition of any long reigning champ, possibly used steroids (as he tested positive once), Has tainted legacy with several losses in his twilight years
GSP:
Pros: Longest reign as WW champ and most title defenses as champ. Avenged only 2 losses against both fighters (Hughes 2x, Serra), able to develop strongest game plans for individual fighters,
Cons: Like Silva, he didn't fight exclusively high caliber level fighters (such as Jones), (really) lost to Hendricks. Never fought in any other weight classes. Measured approach to fighting excludes him, because he was a "chess" player rather than trying to win fights
What does everyone think? For my money I have to go with Jon Jones. Love him or hate him (I hate him...my favorite is Fedor) I think he's the clear GOAT. He's beaten the best level of opposition, never TRULY lost and has looked almost indestructible save for the Gus fight. GSP, Silva and Fedor have arguments to be made as far as titles and length of win streaks, but I just think that Jones has faced the most former champs, prospects and great fighters and looked good beating them all.