People aren't understanding the level of Giga's fight IQ and striking mastery

[The Legendary Scarface]

He's doing some absurd shit in there and making some ridiculous reads.

Against Barboza in a split second he timed his switch kick and neutralized it by kicking Barboza's leg that he was gonna throw the kick with:




Also, he actually countered a FEINT by Edson to land a clean check hook from his southpaw stance :






There's many examples but just wanted to open up a conversation and shed some light on how brilliant of a striker he actually is. This is high high level shit and I believe Giga can beat anyone at FW. Especially when you consider his reach, in a division full of strikers.. Super dangerous .

You know who finds clean counters off of feints? Not many people.

You know who counters a Barboza switch kick with his own same sided kick? Not many people.

That's crazy timing ,speed and intelligence.

Let's appreciate this man.

 

[Iron Nick]

I was very impressed by his performance against Edson (who himself looked very good, in my opinion).
Technique aside, what baffled me the most was his speed, Giga looked so freaking fast, that Edson looked slow by comparison, it was unreal at times.

 

[Carrotman23]

Nice catch on that kick check and counter hook from southpaw impressive stuff . I highly doubt he can beat "anyone" at FW though . Volk , Ortega , Holloway , Yair (if he ever comes back) , KZ , Zabit in a 3 Rd fight . Hell Dan Ige could represent some serious problems with his boxing . He's good but FW is too deep for him to completely dominate or even fight for the title tight now .
I could see him beating KZ with his out put now that I think about it more though . If I was him that'd be the fight to chase .

 

[Kryptt]

Plus he has the best name in MMA!!!

#GigaBless

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

Hes working on the intricacies of maneuvers that we haven't even seen before

 

[WHITEBELT JESUS]

That or Edson chocked, as he always seems to do once he needs a win to put him in title contention.

Either way I admit I didn’t see Giga stopping Edson.

 

[Substance Abuse]

He looked great, but he was backing himself into the cage due to no threat of the takedown and a one dimensional attack coming at him. This in no way means what he did was not impressive. It was. His speed, timing and skill neutralized Edson's offense. I just think the way he fought could lead to a loss against a different type of pressure.

With all of that said, I really didn't enjoy him going out of his way to say that he purposely didn't sub Edson because he promised a knockout. That's a bad look and it's something I don't believe.

 

[The Legendary Scarface]

Nice catch on that kick check and counter hook from southpaw impressive stuff . I highly doubt he can beat "anyone" at FW though . Volk , Ortega , Holloway , Yair (if he ever comes back) , KZ , Zabit in a 3 Rd fight . Hell Dan Ige could represent some serious problems with his boxing . He's good but FW is too deep for him to completely dominate or even fight for the title tight now .
I could see him beating KZ with his out put now that I think about it more though . If I was him that'd be the fight to chase .

I'm not saying he runs through everybody and definitely beats them all. I'm saying he can. If you look at what he offers in totality as a fighter, nobody is a lock against him, not even Max or Volk --
He has very good distance management,
Solid striking defense,
Is a very good counter striker,
Is explosive,
Fast,
Long (has a reach advantage on almost everybody at FW) ...
Plus FW is loaded with strikers. The likes of Kattar and Ortega are nowhere near as complete of strikers as Giga is and guys like KZ and Ige will get picked apart because they are just too short.

I wouldn't be surprised if he beat most of the top 5 tbh.

 

[Carrotman23]

I'm not saying he runs through everybody and definitely beats them all. I'm saying he can. If you look at what he offers in totality as a fighter, nobody is a lock against him, not even Max or Volk --
He has very good distance management,
Solid striking defense,
Is a very good counter striker,
Is explosive,
Fast,
Long (has a reach advantage on almost everybody at FW) ...
Plus FW is loaded with strikers. The likes of Kattar and Ortega are nowhere near as complete of strikers as Giga is and guys like KZ and Ige will get picked apart because they are just too short.

I wouldn't be surprised if he beat most of the top 5 tbh.

Yeah I still don't agree . I'd be shocked if he beat Ortega or Volk or Holloway . And would be absolutely amazed if he beat all the top 5 . I really don't see it happening .
Ortega is absolutely on par with his striking imo after the KZ fight. Ortega is durable as all hell has great front kicks , boxing and could definitely get the sub on Giga imo. Kattar would lose to Giga for sure I agree with that .
I thinks it downright silly to say KZ and Ige would lose based on height if I'm being honest .

Anyways only time can tell and he's impressed me but while Barbosa is an impressive win hes also a vet whose taken a lot of damage just like cub and those are the only fighters he's been able to finish in the UFC . FW isn't the best division but it's top 5 might be the best top 5 in all the UFC .
So lets maybe chill with saying he's a world beater and see what happens .

 

[The Legendary Scarface]

He looked great, but he was backing himself into the cage due to no threat of the takedown and a one dimensional attack coming at him. This in no way means what he did was not impressive. It was. His speed, timing and skill neutralized Edson's offense. I just think the way he fought could lead to a loss against a different type of pressure.

With all of that said, I really didn't enjoy him going out of his way to say that he purposely didn't sub Edson because he promised a knockout. That's a bad look and it's something I don't believe.

That's a really good point. On one end, it's impressive that a guy in Edson who struggles the most by being pressured was giving the most advantageous thing possible (leiway to pressure someone himself) and Giga still outstruck him. Basically beating him in his own game, with his own ball if you will. But on the other side of the coin, your point does raise some concerns that perhaps, maybe a more aggressive, powerful, busier guy pressuring him like that against the cage can seriously land something and hurt him badly. It's possible and I guess only time will tell. I look at it as more of a particular strategy that him and his team implemented because he doesn't usually get pressured that much, but like I said we'll see.

Yeah I don't mind the comment that much. Especially considering all the nasty things you hear fighters say nowadays. He's on the up and up and wants his name to shine a little brighter, nothing wrong with a little bragging every now and again. They're fighters.

 

[Substance Abuse]

That's a really good point. On one end, it's impressive that a guy in Edson who struggles the most by being pressured was giving the most advantageous thing possible (leiway to pressure someone himself) and Giga still outstruck him. Basically beating him in his own game, with his own ball if you will. But on the other side of the coin, your point does raise some concerns that perhaps, maybe a more aggressive, powerful, busier guy pressuring him like that against the cage can seriously land something and hurt him badly. It's possible and I guess only time will tell. I look at it as more of a particular strategy that him and his team implemented because he doesn't usually get pressured that much, but like I said we'll see.

Yeah I don't mind the comment that much. Especially considering all the nasty things you hear fighters say nowadays. He's on the up and up and wants his name to shine a little brighter, nothing wrong with a little bragging every now and again. They're fighters.

I think a good pressure wrestler or a guy who mixes up pressure, utilizes tie-ups, grappling or in-fighting could dominate the fight positionally and tire him out.

 

[The Legendary Scarface]

Yeah I still don't agree . I'd be shocked if he beat Ortega or Volk or Holloway . And would be absolutely amazed if he beat all the top 5 . I really don't see it happening .
Ortega is absolutely on par with his striking imo after the KZ fight. Ortega is durable as all hell has great front kicks and boxing and could definitely get the sub on Giga imo. Kattar would lose to Giga for sure I agree with that .
I thinks it downright silly to say KZ and Ige would lose based on height of I'm being honest .

Anyways only time can tell and he's impressed me but while Barbosa is an impressive win hes also a vet whose taken a lot of damage just like cub and those are the only fighters he's been able to finish in the UFC . FW isn't the best division but it's top 5 might be the best top 5 in all the UFC .
So lets maybe chill with saying he's a world beater and see what happens .

Yeah we'll see what happens. My hopes are high for him and maybe we can do a fun little AV bet for his next fight? Cheers brotha

 

[fortheo]

Nice catch on that kick check and counter hook from southpaw impressive stuff . I highly doubt he can beat "anyone" at FW though . Volk , Ortega , Holloway , Yair (if he ever comes back) , KZ , Zabit in a 3 Rd fight . Hell Dan Ige could represent some serious problems with his boxing . He's good but FW is too deep for him to completely dominate or even fight for the title tight now .
I could see him beating KZ with his out put now that I think about it more though . If I was him that'd be the fight to chase .

Giga's grappling is mediocre AT BEST. KZ would likely embarass him on the mat, especially after seeing him thoroughly outgrapple a wrestler/bjj black belt in Ige with ease. Honestly, everyone in the top 10 likely has a better ground game than Giga except maybe rodriguez.

 

[The Legendary Scarface]

I think a good pressure wrestler or a guy who mixes up pressure utilize tie-ups, grappling or in-fighting could dominate the fight positionally and tire him out.

Maybe. We will see. Luckily for him there really isn't too many of those guys at FW.

 

[Carrotman23]

Yeah we'll see what happens. My hopes are high for him and maybe we can do a fun little AV bet for his next fight? Cheers brotha

I'm up for it homie those are fun ! Would give a like if I could but out cause I lurked here a lot today ha. Hope to see ya around during the Next Giga fight it's on site !

 

[det_regnar_på_vår_kärlek]

His performance against Barboza was awesome. He's really good and shows up to bang.

 

[The Legendary Scarface]

I'm up for it homie those are fun ! Would give a like if could but out cause I lurked here a lot today ha. Hope to see ya around during the Next Giga fight it's on site !

Deal bro !

 

[fortheo]

I think a good pressure wrestler or a guy who mixes up pressure utilize tie-ups, grappling or in-fighting could dominate the fight positionally and tire him out.

I think even an average wrestler with that gameplan could do it. Giga's ground game was extremely underwhelming against BRANDON DAVIS of all people, but that was a while ago so you have to assume giga got better. But even a better version of what he showed would still be rather lackluster grappling.

Everyone in the top 10 is a better grappler than Brandon Davis.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Maybe. We will see. Luckily for him there really isn't too many of those guys at FW.

I think Max would neutralize his offense with pressure and just stay in his face and tire him out. I think Edson was a fight tailor made for him and I think he falls short of elite status despite him doing incredibly well in the Edson fight. The equalizer is his diversity of attack and ability to finish fights at different levels. I could see him getting steam rolled or knocking guys out. He's an intriguing fighter. I hope he gets a step up and fights soon.

 

[The Legendary Scarface]

I think even an average wrestler with that gameplan could do it. Giga's ground game was extremely underwhelming against BRANDON DAVIS of all people, but that was a while ago so you have to assume giga got better. But even a better version of what he showed would still be rather lackluster grappling.

I don't think his grappling is going to come into play TOO MUCH in the top 5.
He just needs to have some TDD and his long frame and height will help him get out of grappling exchanges and keep it on the feet. Most of the top of 145 is guys who strikers. Albeit Ortega grapples but it's more opportunistic BJJ than anything.