Is Werdum the best BJJ player turned striker we've ever seen?

[blewgums]

I'm pretty sure Ronda lost her last fight due to a torn labia.

It's true. You heard it here first.

 

[moreorless87]

Give it a rest dude. Every division is better than it was 10 years ago, even HW.

I'm sorry Werdum beat your favorite fighters in Nog and Fedor

The UFC told you so right?

Seriously you watch the latter stages of this match and think that and I wonder does Dana have some New Mexico beach from property to sell you?

 

[welcometohavoc]

The UFC told you so right?

Seriously you watch the latter stages of this match and think that and I wonder does Dana have some New Mexico beach from property to sell you?

All I know is Werdum beat the HW GOAT in his prime and Werdum is still one of the best HW's now and of all time.

So when someone tells me HW was better 10 years ago I'm laughing at them

 

[moreorless87]

Dude, Big Nogs stand-up wasn't that great, except maybe when he smoked Kharitonov or Couture. Werdum is really savvy and has devastating knees/kicks/jabs.

Both very hittable, but Werdum has more offense.

I'd agree Werdum has more offensive tools(although Nog did have decent knees) but in terms of boxing I don't think its close, indeed I actually think defensively Werdum is worse today than he was in 2006.

What Stipe did as I think what several fighters would have done back in the day if modern Werdum had tried to trade with them. Back then of course the younger Werdum was a decent wrestler(with a Maia like advantage that he was happy on his back) which definitely helped, opponents had to fear the takedown much more which kept them away.

Latter day Nog suddenly starting to hurt opponents even on the decline was really a sign that the division was going downhill. That Nog around in the 00's would probably have huirt a load of people standing.

 

[Huligani]

Jacare is a good example too

No he's not. He was wildly swinging at air against Whittaker, when Whittaker was several feet away from the end of Jacare's punches. It was utterly embarassing.

Considering BJJ specialists who learned striking after already becoming known in MMA, Werdum is obviously up there along with the likes of BJ Penn.

 

[Mike Hagger]

I can't think of a BJJ specialist that has the striking of Werdum.

And I'm a guy who said he was overrated for years, but he has really brought it together. It's time he and Stipe rematched.

 

[moreorless87]

All I know is Werdum beat the HW GOAT in his prime and Werdum is still one of the best HW's now and of all time.

So when someone tells me HW was better 10 years ago I'm laughing at them

Werdum subbed the HW GOAT when he was dropping off and went on to lose twice more, if someone said Werdum was the best HW sub grappler ever then I'd agree he has a very good case but were talking more about striking. EVen there though I don't think Werdum is the sub fighter he was a few years ago, that situation in the 4th when Tybura escaped the ground for example, Werdum of years ago would have had his back but the modern version didn't have the agility.

Still though carry on believeing HW's hit their physical prime in their 40's if you want to, I guess nothing I say will convince you otherwise.

 

[mmarcelo]

Werdum's evolution is impressive at his age.
On a side note.. I agree Its weird how rare it is to find new talent in HW these days compared to Pride era etc

 

[moreorless87]

Werdum's evolution is impressive at his age.
On a side note.. I agree Its weird how rare it is to find new talent in HW these days compared to Pride era etc

Part of that is actually that MMA attracts far fewer top BJJ guys now than it did years ago and the ones it does often don't commit fully the way Werdum, Nog, etc did.

HW suffers the most from the US centric approach of MMA under the UFC for me because guys that big are rare and in the US they get drawn more to other sports, in Brazil and Europe big men don't get drawn to soccer nearly as much, look at manlet Messi for examopk

Tybura's the kind of guy who never would have gotten into the top 10 in the mid to late 00's.

 

[TankAbbott4Eva]

He has improved his striking so much over the years, i don't think there's any HW he'd fear in a stand up match now really.

Oh and those who mentioned Jacare, dude has power but wouldn't call him a great striker. Against Whittaker he was absolutely outclassed, Whittaker is good with his hands but he was far above Jacare.

 

[613]

Give it a rest dude. Every division is better than it was 10 years ago, even HW.

Definitely not. MMA is not evolving as fast as some fans like to think. HW has not gotten any better, WW and LHW is probably a little worse

 

[613]

I can't think of a BJJ specialist that has the striking of Werdum.

And I'm a guy who said he was overrated for years, but he has really brought it together. It's time he and Stipe rematched.

Aldo is pretty clearly a better striker then Werdum

 

[lenbiasgoat]

Im very surprised by the evolution of werdum and its been fun to watch.. Id still say bj was a better striker

 

[Pernell]

Penn had good boxing but Werdum is showing a complete Muay Thai game.

LMFAO please shut the fuck up, how so many people have just gone along with this is astounding. Werdums striking is sloppy as fuck, I remember people trying to spread this myth before Stipe knocked him out cold without breaking a sweat.

 

[CrimsonFan]

I consider Werdum better than the Nog bros and the Diaz bros are both just boxers, as was BJ Penn.

Werdum is an actual striker, utilizing his entire body

Eh, his boxing is super far away from those other guys

 

[Mebetter]

Vitor Belfort was a prodigy in bjj and was supposed to become a Gracie

 

[Pakman]

Nogs were definitely among the first when they started developing legit boxing. I feel werdum has taken it to the next step, being fully capable with his hands all the way down to his feet with strikes.

Lil Nog was good with his knees for a while. Neither of the Nogs were good kickers though.

Werdum has definitely become one of the best but I still feel like he leaves himself open a lot and honestly, I'm not sure if he can beat Stipe. Stipe throws clean, straight punches with a LOT of power. He's got a great counter shot. Gonna be tough for Werdum to get the title back with that fight.

RDA might be the best BJJ guy turned striker though. I think he's got some of the best leg kicks/body kicks around. He's got good boxing and he generally defends himself better than Werdum imo.

But do guys like Aldo not count as BJJ guys turned strikers?

 

[loyalyolayal]

IIRC The Nog Bros started boxing before BJJ no?

They started Judo like most non-gracie bjj blackbelts from that era and older.

 

[loyalyolayal]

Vitor Belfort was a prodigy in bjj and was supposed to become a Gracie

No known weakness tho.

 

[Heelhook71]

Give it a rest dude. Every division is better than it was 10 years ago, even HW.

I'm sorry Werdum beat your favorite fighters in Nog and Fedor

If you think the heavyweight division is in a better state than it was10 years ago you’re crazy.

Every other division I’d agree with you on. But heavyweight, absolutely not.