Best MW’s of all time

[GOATtalks]

Here’s my pick for the best MW’s of all time, based on their skill, attributes and likelihood of beating others.

1. Khamzat Chimaev

Honestly, it ain’t even close. Current version of Khamzat beats any MW that ever lived. His wrestling is unmatched, great BJJ and pretty good striking with actual one punch KO power

2. DDP

As weird as it looks, but the man is highly effective in the octagon and he’s incredibly strong. Can outstrike the best in the world and he’s also a very good offensive grappler

3. Anderson Silva

One of the best strikers to ever fight at MW. Poor wrestling, but dangerous of his back

4. Israel Adesanya

Incredible striker, great footwork and TDD. His BJJ isn’t all that good though

5. Chris Weidman

Probably the most well rounded MW we ever had. His fight IQ and timing was questionable though and got him in a lot of trouble

6. Alex Pereira

The most lethal striker at HW ever. He was pretty one dimensional though

7. Sean Strickland

Great boxing, pretty well rounded, probably the best striking defense at MW. Doesn’t have finishing ability and sometimes lacks urgency during the fights

8. Robert Whittaker

Very well rounded, tough as nails, but not the best at anything. Got outstruck by the best striker and got outwrestled by the best wrestler

9. RDR

Amazing BJJ, solid kickboxing and just huge for the weight class.

10. Anthony Hernandez

Might be to soon to tell as he hasn’t faced anyone elite yet, but the combination of his high level BJJ, scrappy boxing and insane stamina makes him very dangerous.

Honourable mentions: Luke Rockhold, GSP, Romero, Bisping, Rich Franklin, Jacare

 

[bng]

1. Cuban Golem (if he was 2-3 years younger)
rest is irrelevant

 

[MartiniSIDe]

No recency bias at all here

 

[Simple Southerner]

You're drunk

Ando > the rest

 

[DougieJones]

Lmao

 

[Pierce 34]

OP is the same goof who gets so high on recency bias that any new champ becomes LeBron of MMA

 

[Khaosan]

 

[GOATtalks]

You're drunk

Ando > the rest

Andy was great for the time, but Khamzat would fold him like a lawn chair

 

[GOATtalks]

OP is the same goof who gets so high on recency bias that any new champ becomes LeBron of MMA

Ol, give me your nostalgia list

 

[BFoe]

No recency bias at all here

No kidding. I like Poatan too, but his resume at MW is practically nonexistent. Got hot-shotted to the MW title, won it, but never successfully defended. Apparently that’s good enough for #6 all time.

 

[GOATtalks]

No kidding. I like Poatan too, but his resume at MW is practically nonexistent. Got hot-shotted to the MW title, won it, but never successfully defended. Apparently that’s good enough for #6 all time.

I’m not talking about resume, but how good he was at MW. He did beat Izzy and Strickland and I would favour him to beat Anderson, Rockhold, Whittaker and many others former MW greats.

 

[BFoe]

I’m not talking about resume, but how good he was at MW. He did beat Izzy and Strickland and I would favour him to beat Anderson, Rockhold, Whittaker and many others former MW greats.

That’s what makes these ranking discussions rather pointless. When you say—

Here’s my pick for the best MW’s of all time, based on their skill, attributes and likelihood of beating others.

—what you mean is, your imagination. You imagine Khamzat would beat everyone under the sun, so he becomes the best MW in the history of our sport on your list despite him not actually having done anything worthy of that.

 

[PeterGriffin]

Andy was great for the time, but Khamzat would fold him like a lawn chair

Versus prime-Silva?

Nope. No way. Silva was as dangerous off his back as he was standing, and was perfectly fine and composed doing it. Henderson wasn't able to fuck all when he had Anderson vulnerable. His BJJ belt wasn't made out of paper, and he did have decent TDD. On the feet, Silva would have lit him up with ease.

Chimaev had his literal way with DDP for 25 minutes, just completely dog-walked him, and still couldn't finish him. Chimaev is talented, but I think I'll let him put together a title defense streak before entertaining GOAT discussions.

 

[Mammothman]

Not a very good list OP.

Weidman way too high and Rockhold below.

Also no way in hell DDP beats Silva.

I also love Alex but that cut to MW didn't let show his true power.

 

[Koala]

 

[Nintendo 64]

Here’s my pick for the best MW’s of all time, based on their skill, attributes and likelihood of beating others.

1. Khamzat Chimaev

Honestly, it ain’t even close. Current version of Khamzat beats any MW that ever lived. His wrestling is unmatched, great BJJ and pretty good striking with actual one punch KO power

2. DDP

As weird as it looks, but the man is highly effective in the octagon and he’s incredibly strong. Can outstrike the best in the world and he’s also a very good offensive grappler

3. Anderson Silva

One of the best strikers to ever fight at MW. Poor wrestling, but dangerous of his back

4. Israel Adesanya

Incredible striker, great footwork and TDD. His BJJ isn’t all that good though

5. Chris Weidman

Probably the most well rounded MW we ever had. His fight IQ and timing was questionable though and got him in a lot of trouble

6. Alex Pereira

The most lethal striker at HW ever. He was pretty one dimensional though

7. Sean Strickland

Great boxing, pretty well rounded, probably the best striking defense at MW. Doesn’t have finishing ability and sometimes lacks urgency during the fights

8. Robert Whittaker

Very well rounded, tough as nails, but not the best at anything. Got outstruck by the best striker and got outwrestled by the best wrestler

9. RDR

Amazing BJJ, solid kickboxing and just huge for the weight class.

10. Anthony Hernandez

Might be to soon to tell as he hasn’t faced anyone elite yet, but the combination of his high level BJJ, scrappy boxing and insane stamina makes him very dangerous.

Honourable mentions: Luke Rockhold, GSP, Romero, Bisping, Rich Franklin, Jacare

Back when things mattered this was a straight IP ban.

 

[STAY GOLD]

Imagine having Fluffy, RDR, etc. and not Hendo, Chael, Vitor, Mousasi, Saku, etc.

 

[GOATtalks]

Versus prime-Silva?

Nope. No way. Silva was as dangerous off his back as he was standing, and was perfectly fine and composed doing it. Henderson wasn't able to fuck all when he had Anderson vulnerable. His BJJ belt wasn't made out of paper, and he did have decent TDD. On the feet, Silva would have lit him up with ease.

Chimaev had his literal way with DDP for 25 minutes, just completely dog-walked him, and still couldn't finish him. Chimaev is talented, but I think I'll let him put together a title defense streak before entertaining GOAT discussions.

Lol, Anderson of his back is as dangerous as Kevin Holland. Khamzat would submit Andy without any hesitation, like those Japanese cans that submitted him. Whittaker’s TDD is much better than Anderson’s and it didn’t matter against Khamzat.

 

[GOATtalks]

Not a very good list OP.

Weidman way too high and Rockhold below.

Also no way in hell DDP beats Silva.

I also love Alex but that cut to MW didn't let show his true power.

Rockhold has one of the worst boxing defencess I’ve ever seen, plus a glass chin and questionable fight IQ.

DDP beat Izzy, Whittaker and Strickland. What makes you think he wouldn’t have done the same to Anderson?

 

[GOATtalks]

GOAT debates are boring, but anyone ranking Khamzat and DDP over Anderson is incorrect.

It’s not a GOAT debate