“We’re watching the ascendence of the HW GOAT right now” - DJ

[Aurelian]

Before Aspinall got to the UFC, his grappling was tested by a guy who would go on to have a losing record in PFL.

Aspinall failed miserably.

Yes but that's a long time ago. I need to see what it looks like right now. I think Jailton would be the best test for it.

There's only been one or two takedown attempts on Tom in his entire UFC career. He's completely untested at a high level.

Objectively speaking, how would his grappling hold up against somebody like Fedor, Stipe, or Cain?

 

[SuperAlly]

Before Aspinall got to the UFC, his grappling was tested by a guy who would go on to have a losing record in PFL.

Aspinall failed miserably.

Back in the day man hadn't invented the wheel

 

[snaportap21]

Hahahaha what's up with those caveman bonks. ME SMASH U BACK OF HEAD! I'm gettin some goofball vibes.

That’s a staple of his. He did that standing caveman bonk on spivac as wel . There is no way that move isnt intentional. The real goofballs are the refs, do they not see that lol?

 

[Superzorro]

Before Aspinall got to the UFC, his grappling was tested by a guy who would go on to have a losing record in PFL.

Aspinall failed miserably.

I never knew he did the arch your back challenge. That’s wild.

 

[Portland8242]

Dan Henderson could knock out anyone in the world, he was gifted like that, and yes TRT Dan was that much more of a threat. It's usually the GSP Canadian nuthuggers, that have little shrines where they pray to GSP in their homes, that make the silly argument that "bUT fEDrZ lOsT tO a MW"

Dan Henderson wouldn't even come close to KO'ing the current top-5 HW's.

Really sorry that this puts a wrench in the whole Fedor fanboy nostalgia but it's just the reality of things.

HW's from the previous era are woefully incomplete fighters.

 

[CatchtheseHands]

This is no way to live life. Say what you feel and if something disproves it adjust and move on. This is a very childish outlook on things.

I'm not saying people can't say what they want and feel, of course they can but that doesn't mean people shouldn't have some foresight and think before saying what they say.

 

[pick999]

View attachment 1117000

When you look at Stipe's run - previously considered the "HW goat" you realize it's a bunch of old past their prime washed up geriatrics outside of Ngannou. Even DC was well up in there in age when Stipe got his W's over him. Stipe eventually became one himself when Ngannou disposed of him.


It's just the way of life at heavyweight.

Stipe was well past his prime vs Francis the 2nd time

 

[Portland8242]

Stipe was well past his prime vs Francis the 2nd time

Agreed and I think Ngannou was the guy who brutally drove home that reality to him.

I remember that takedown Stipe attempted in the 1st round and it legit looked half speed compared to the double legs he was blasting in the 1st fight.

 

[Shaddows]

I don't get this.
why so desperate to attach "GOAT" to any flashy fighter before they reach the mountaintop and EARN it?
Why disrespect those who've EARNED the accolade and proved for decades?
I know he got to the top on a weird situation. Not his fault!
But don't overcompensate!
tone it down a little!

 

[SuperAlly]

I don't get this.
why so desperate to attach "GOAT" to any flashy fighter before they reach the mountaintop and EARN it?
Why disrespect those who've EARNED the accolade and proved for decades?
I know he got to the top on a weird situation. Not his fault!
But don't overcompensate!
tone it down a little!

DJ isn't saying he is GOAT. You understand what ascendence means?

DJ is saying he believes that is where Jon is going

 

[AMAZINGUFC]

It wasn't an interview



He is. Fighting and winning.


Its not the eve of the confrontation and what a retired fighter says about an upcoming fight really has fuck all impact on how the fight plays out.

Being angry over nothing will give you an angina. Or make it seem like you have a vagina. I'm not sure which.

I don't agree with anything you wrote except the part where I'm really nervous about this fight to the point of having a heart attack.

 

[Shaddows]

DJ isn't saying he is GOAT. You understand what ascendence means?

DJ is saying he believes that is where Jon is going

Jon is definitely a "GOAT conversation", but NOT if you are talking strictly at HW.
hell, Brock Lesnar made a bigger splash at HW than he did and for longer
Or Cain could have been if his knees held... or so many others the "could have been" GOATS... until they couldn't.

 

[Superzorro]

I don't get this.
why so desperate to attach "GOAT" to any flashy fighter before they reach the mountaintop and EARN it?
Why disrespect those who've EARNED the accolade and proved for decades?
I know he got to the top on a weird situation. Not his fault!
But don't overcompensate!
tone it down a little!

I respect DJ’s skills as a fighter. But outside of the octagon, he’s always struck me as an odd individual. Partnering with MMA Guru, who has never thrown a punch a day in his life, and letting him talk down to you as if the two of you are on an equal playing field. Training those clout chasing street beefs fighters, while failing to realize that both of them were on the spectrum. Constantly saying “my black ass” as if it’s some nervous tic that he has. And that’s just recently. He’s just always been one of those extremely odd little dudes. Amazing fighter though.

 

[orca]

He is 3rd on my GOAT list but he still was terrified to sign a contract to fight Tom. How is that up for dispute?

fedor didnt wanna fight brock
gsp didnt even wanna fight a number 1 contender in MW


if this was a fighter not named jones whos in his twilight of his career
you wouldnt say that

if this was 35, yr old fedor that doesnt wanna fight pretty sure people will be ok and even will support him

see the point?

 

[richardjohnson]

Or you'll be at DJs door demanding answers?

I just might

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

HW's from the previous era are woefully incomplete fighters.

The overall level of well roundedness at HW was significantly better over a decade ago than it is now. I like Tom but a big part of the reason he stands out so much is precisely because hes an athletic well rounded HW in an era of fat sloppy brawlers.

 

[DrRodentia]

The overall level of well roundedness at HW was significantly better over a decade ago than it is now. I like Tom but a big part of the reason he stands out so much is precisely because hes an athletic well rounded HW in an era of fat sloppy brawlers.

True. Near all current top 15 heavyweights are either strikers or grapplers. Outside of Tom (and Jones if we wish to count him), Volkov and Blaydes are the only other somewhat well rounded guys, and even they have clear strengths they largely play to. Not to mention the top of the division is literally only within the top five. Very shallow. Valter Walker is a top 15.

And some of those guys that are strictly strikers are just your classic HW brawlers.