That is the problem of the lw division as handled by the ufc. They created a log jam of fighters that could very easily be on the tail end of their career, but we do not know definitively because they do not have to fight any young lions. As far as we know, anyone ranked 6-10 could truly be a top 3 fighter, but never have the chance because the top five only fights each other and never fall out of the ranks.If Paddy beats Poirier then it's because Dustin is washed up and 37 and will have lost 4 of his last 6 fights...
If Paddy beats Gaethje then it's because Gaethje is washed up and 37 and will have lost 4 of his last 8 fights...
If Paddy beats Charles then it's because Charles is washed up and 36 and will have lost 3 out of his last 5 fights
Maybe, maybe not, but at some point Paddy needs to fight guys age 35 and under.If Paddy beats Poirier then it's because Dustin is washed up and 37 and will have lost 4 of his last 6 fights...
If Paddy beats Gaethje then it's because Gaethje is washed up and 37 and will have lost 4 of his last 8 fights...
If Paddy beats Charles then it's because Charles is washed up and 36 and will have lost 3 out of his last 5 fights
And Gordon beat Paddy by all accountsChandler - 38 years old, 33 fights
Green - 38 years old, 49 fights
Ferguson - 39 years old, 36 fights
Gordon - 34 years old, 27 fights
When Paddy starts beating people that are on a similar path to him, and similar age, then he'll start getting more respect. You can't just beat up past their prime people and expect to be lauded as the GOAT.
Yep. And Oliveira (if he's a future opponent) has had 46 fights, all but 12 in the UFC. He's probably fought more top FWs and LWs than anyone in UFC history. While he's still a very good fighter and a little younger (35) he could hit a wall at any time. It's hard to know when he'll suddenly show his age.Chandler - 38 years old, 33 fights
Green - 38 years old, 49 fights
Ferguson - 39 years old, 36 fights
Gordon - 34 years old, 27 fights
When Paddy starts beating people that are on a similar path to him, and similar age, then he'll start getting more respect. You can't just beat up past their prime people and expect to be lauded as the GOAT.
Paddy went from underrated to overrated. He's better than many people originally thought, but the Chandler win has people overcompensating. Chandler is about to be 39, has lost 5 out of 6, and clearly has one foot out the door.
I'd say Paddy is a fringe top 15 LW.
I'd cleanly favor Islam, Arman, Charles, Gaethje, Max, Dustin, Hooker, Gamrot, Fiziev, Dawson, and Dariush over Paddy. There are also a bunch of guys whom I think would be competitive with (and possibly beat) Paddy: Alvarez, Ruffy, Moicano, Bahamondes, Ludovit, Nasrat, etc.This is mostly accurate although fringe top 15 LW is a little harsh. I see him as a #6-10 ranked guy.
I think he can beat the likes of Beniel Dariush and Moicano but he probably loses to the top 5.
If Paddy beats either of those three even at their washed level I will buy a Paddy the Baddy tshirt and defend his honour from then on.If Paddy beats Poirier then it's because Dustin is washed up and 37 and will have lost 4 of his last 6 fights...
If Paddy beats Gaethje then it's because Gaethje is washed up and 37 and will have lost 4 of his last 8 fights...
If Paddy beats Charles then it's because Charles is washed up and 36 and will have lost 3 out of his last 5 fights
Chandler looked terrible and his already low fight IQ appeared to be lower in this fight.
Paddy also looked at least one weight class above Chandler.
Despite all this, Paddy was impressive in how easily he got Chandler out of there.
Still don’t think Paddy is ready for either Arman or Ilia tho.
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Pretty much this, the division is terrible. There is no guy Paddy would beat that would be impressive before facing Islam. Its the weakest LW era ever imo, there’s literally 0 top contenders.Sold is a strong endorsement, but Poirier, Chandler, Hooker, Gaethje, Moicano and Beneil are either old and washed or just garbage relative to being top 10 fighters. So Paddy is by default quite relevant as a contender. UFC isn't a good promotion, never a lot of contenders or actual rising talent. Get used to it.
What...it has several guys who could reasonably contend. There are plenty of guys Paddy could beat that would make people interested.Pretty much this, the division is terrible. There is no guy Paddy would beat that would be impressive before facing Islam. Its the weakest LW era ever imo, there’s literally 0 top contenders.
If Paddy beats Poirier then it's because Dustin is washed up and 37 and will have lost 4 of his last 6 fights...
If Paddy beats Gaethje then it's because Gaethje is washed up and 37 and will have lost 4 of his last 8 fights...
If Paddy beats Charles then it's because Charles is washed up and 36 and will have lost 3 out of his last 5 fights