The WW division is perfect example that STYLES MAKE FIGHTS!

[Typrune Goatley]

The entire top 10 are all very skilled yet they all have different strengths and weaknesses.

Demian Maia can outgrapple almost the entire division but he could not take down All American wrestlers Tyron Woodley and now Chael Covington.

Stephen Thompson can outstrike Rory for a decision but he can't land anything significant on Woodley. Woodley almost finished Wonderboy multiple times.

Rory Mac can't solve the riddle with Wonderboy but he can beat Maia and Woodley with his jab and takedown defense. His jab and TDD does not help him much with Wonderboy however.

Robbie Lawler can beat Rory Mac with his power and ferocity and has proven it twice but Robbie's worst matchup is Woodley. Robbie had to worry about Tyron's takedown and got caught with an overhand right.


Rory>Woodley>Lawler>Rory

Wonderboy>Rory>Woodley>Wonderboy

Maia > Woodley> Wonderboy> Rory> Woodley> Maia

Also if you are one of those that think Condit beat Robbie then this equation would make sense:

Maia>Condit>Robbie>Rory>Woodley>Maia

And if you think Cowboy beat Robbie:

Cowboy>Robbie>Rory>Maia>Jorge>Cowboy

Its like there is no true number one because everyone has a bad matchup.

 

[SCTwins]

I don't get how any of those examples lead to Kevin Bacon.

 

[Erocthadon]

 

[blackjackz]

I don't get how any of those examples lead to Kevin Bacon.

1) Rory Mac trains with GSP
2) GSP was in Capt. America Winter Soldier with Scarlett Johansen
3) Scarlett Johansen was in Iron Man 2 with John Slattery
4) John Slattery was in Sleepers with Kevin Bacon

Yes, I have way too much time on my hands.

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

It's a damn phenomenal weightclass, always had been.

Talent rich and typically the widest array of effective tactics

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

1) Rory Mac trains with GSP
2) GSP was in Capt. America Winter Soldier with Scarlett Johansen
3) Scarlett Johansen was in Iron Man 2 with John Slattery
4) John Slattery was in Sleepers with Kevin Bacon

Yes, I have way too much EPIC on my hands.

Ftfy

 

[Chris John]

1) Rory Mac trains with GSP
2) GSP was in Capt. America Winter Soldier with Scarlett Johansen
3) Scarlett Johansen was in Iron Man 2 with John Slattery
4) John Slattery was in Sleepers with Kevin Bacon

Yes, I have way too much time on my hands.

Sometimes it's a blessing in the skies.

 

[McGeezle]

You used the Rory Woodley Lawler one twice except you called him Robbie the 2nd time

 

[artisabang]

Sometimes it's a blessing in the skies.

And not for the painted heart.

 

[Chris John]

And not for the painted heart.

Geez, You guys are having a feel day with this.

 

[artisabang]

Geez, You guys are having a feel day with this.

Relax man, no reason to go over bored.

 

[Bubblun]

Woodley > everyone.

His striking got a lot better since his fights against Shields and MacDonald, and those were close fights, people act like the MacDonald fight wasn't close, but it was.

 

[artisabang]

Woodley > everyone.

His striking got a lot better since his fights against Shields and MacDonald, and those were close fights, people act like the MacDonald fight wasn't close, but it was.

People acting like the wonderboy fights and maia fight were awful.. but..

 

[UJustGotChaeld]

Woodley > everyone.

His striking got a lot better since his fights against Shields and MacDonald, and those were close fights, people act like the MacDonald fight wasn't close, but it was.

Rory destroyed and toyed with him and would today.

 

[Typrune Goatley]

You used the Rory Woodley Lawler one twice except you called him Robbie the 2nd time

Those are two different equations

Edit: You're right. I am an idiot. I took that one out.

Rory destroyed and toyed with him and would today.

I am a Tyron fan (yes, we exist) but even I know Rory is a bad matchup for Tyron. Tyron has not shown since then that he has anything new for Rory in a rematch except a big overhand right. More than likely Rory touches him with the jab all night again

 

[UJustGotChaeld]

Those are two different equations


I am a Tyron fan (yes, we exist) but even I know Rory is a bad matchup for Tyron. Tyron has not shown since then that he has anything new for Rory in a rematch except a big overhand right. More than likely Rory touches him with the jab all night again

It's MMA so who knows but I agree based on what Woodley has actually shown us that's what happens.

 

[Typrune Goatley]

Maia>Magny>Lombard>Shields>Maia

 

[AndrewGolota48]

Styles make fights indeed.

 

[HaulParris]

The entire top 10 are all very skilled yet they all have different strengths and weaknesses.

Demian Maia can outgrapple almost the entire division but he could not take down All American wrestler Tyron Woodley.

Stephen Thompson can outstrike Rory for a decision but he can't land anything significant on Woodley. Woodley almost finished Wonderboy multiple times.

Rory Mac can't solve the riddle with Wonderboy but he can beat Maia and Woodley with his jab and takedown defense. His jab and TDD does not help him much with Wonderboy however.

Robbie Lawler can beat Rory Mac with his power and ferocity and has proven it twice but Robbie's worst matchup is Woodley. Robbie had to worry about Tyron's takedown and got caught with an overhand right.


Rory>Woodley>Lawler>Rory

Wonderboy>Rory>Woodley>Wonderboy

Robbie>Rory>Woodley>Robbie

Woodley>Wonderboy>Rory>Woodley>Maia

Also if you are one of those that think Condit beat Robbie then this equation would make sense:

Maia>Condit>Robbie>Rory>Woodley>Maia

And if you think Cowboy beat Robbie:

Cowboy>Robbie>Rory>Maia>Jorge>Cowboy

Its like there is no true number one because everyone has a bad matchup.

I agree that styles make fights, and want to add that despite all the hyped would-be paradigm shifts in MMA ("neo-footwork", "karate", "dudes starting training in MMA instead of any one discipline"), one particular style of fighter still reigns supreme, more often than not.

With Woodley being champion and Rory and Robbie being up there in the division, it just goes to show that a solid wrestling base, combined with solid striking, beats almost any one specialist almost every time:
1) Maia is a grappling whiz, but doesn't have the offensive wrestling to take the fight to the ground, or the striking to set up the takedown.
2) Condit and Cerrone both have good subs and flashy striking, but without a solid wrestling base, can't dictate the course/pace of the fight against a wrestler.
3) WonderYoungAdult, like Maia, has worked diligently on his wrestling, but not enough to bridge the gap between a specialist (Maia/Thompson) and someone who has wrestling as a base.

To be clear, when I talk about wrestling, I'm not saying that someone has to be a NCAA D-1 All-American/Iranian Olympic medalist, or even that the wrestling has to take place on the ground. As GSP showed, knowing how and when to mix up strikes with grappling is one key; having the option/expertise to wear your opponent out in the clinch is another. This is how Hendricks made his way to the top, and this is how the next big thing after Woodley will look like.

TL;DR Version: best WWs are still wrestlers with solid striking.

 

[SirKratos]

You forgot Rory>Woodley>Condit>Rory

So Woodley beat every single fighter Rory lost to, but he can't beat Rory himself.

Ultimate proof MMA math doesn't work