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Since there is all this talk about Stipe eclipsing Fedor in his prime as HW GOAT, is it justifiable to bring up Fedor's win against Hong Man Choi?
So Fedor/HMC was labelled a "freakshow" match, but I have always been impressed how Fedor struggled and eventually succeeded against that huge size difference.
Now, compare that to Stipe's last loss, getting KO'd against Stefan Struve, who is around HMC's height: can we surmise that Stipe's style is not as effective as Fedor in dealing with an opponent much larger than him? Struve isn't even as heavy as HMC.
The 265 lbs limit for the UFC HW division seems to "protect" UFC HW's from fighting 50-60 lbs heavier than they are. The skill that has always been the most effective against an opponent with a large size discrepancy is being the more well-versed grappler. Not just being able to land the takedown but being able to finish the fight on your back, to which there are only four HW's I can think of: Fedor, Big Nog, Werdum and Mir.
Does that even matter? Struve has been KO'd against JDS and Roy Nelson, guys with big right hands just like Stipe. Is that all you need against a larger HW?
Bonus round:
So Fedor/HMC was labelled a "freakshow" match, but I have always been impressed how Fedor struggled and eventually succeeded against that huge size difference.
Now, compare that to Stipe's last loss, getting KO'd against Stefan Struve, who is around HMC's height: can we surmise that Stipe's style is not as effective as Fedor in dealing with an opponent much larger than him? Struve isn't even as heavy as HMC.
The 265 lbs limit for the UFC HW division seems to "protect" UFC HW's from fighting 50-60 lbs heavier than they are. The skill that has always been the most effective against an opponent with a large size discrepancy is being the more well-versed grappler. Not just being able to land the takedown but being able to finish the fight on your back, to which there are only four HW's I can think of: Fedor, Big Nog, Werdum and Mir.
Does that even matter? Struve has been KO'd against JDS and Roy Nelson, guys with big right hands just like Stipe. Is that all you need against a larger HW?
Bonus round: