Better fighter currently: JDS or Joseph Benavidez?

[MCS]

Benavidez is more complete and he has never been dominated the way JDS was.

But on the other hand, it's hard to compare their competition since, imo, Cain is more technical and simply better than MM even though he's a HW. If Cain had a few submissions, he'd be the most complete fighter I've seen, though his BJJ is great already (Fedor being the comparison).

That opinion aside, objectively speaking, it's Joe.

 

[Sirwastealot]

Tough one. You could make a case for both fighters but I think Joe B is more well rounded

This is an interesting one. I often see people say that smaller fighters are more impressive because they are more well rounded, faster, better transitions etc.

I don't agree with that. There's a tradeoff for size, someone like JDS could KO and BW with one punch but hes that much bigger that its impossible for him to shoot for a TD like MM or roll around like Urijah Faber. Its a lot easier for the smaller guys to look more impressive, but you have to consider the size difference.

And keeping that in mind JDS is clearly a better fighter. I have no idea what prompted this comparison though.

 

[TriangleChoc]

I like apples, but I like oranges too.

 

[Sirwastealot]

Not even remotely close, Benevidez is better at every facet of MMA. If a BW or flyweight threw as loose and wild as JDS does, he'd never land a punch. It's a different world at BW/FLW, it's all about technique and speed. It always has an advantage in p4p techniques because p4p the whole division is much more skilled than HW/LHW.

This is what im talking about. Completely unfair.

Of course the guy half his size would be faster, and look more impressive. That doesn't make him better. He has the advantage just the way a bigger guy has the advantage of strength.

A big fallacy is when you take someone like Aldo, blow him up to JDS' size and give him the exact same skills he has at 145. Yes that Aldo would kick everyones ass, but its also impossible for anyone to be that big and move like that.

 

[Lethal_Striker]

You can't get away with half of the stuff at Flyweight that you do at Heavyweight. Heavyweight you can do well in the division by just having a good chin and being able to land on the other guy. A lot of the time at HW you don't have to worry about sub defense.

 

[MCS]

This is what im talking about. Completely unfair.

Of course the guy half his size would be faster, and look more impressive. That doesn't make him better. He has the advantage just the way a bigger guy has the advantage of strength.

A big fallacy is when you take someone like Aldo, blow him up to JDS' size and give him the exact same skills he has at 145. Yes that Aldo would kick everyones ass, but its also impossible for anyone to be that big and move like that.

But that's why Cain is special. He moves quickly and his output is higher than BW's. His kickboxing is also more fluid than MM's, and his wrestling is more versatile. JDS' skillset is effective at HW, but wouldn't be at BW. Cain's would be in both.

 

[Codpiece]

This is what im talking about. Completely unfair.

Of course the guy half his size would be faster, and look more impressive. That doesn't make him better. He has the advantage just the way a bigger guy has the advantage of strength.

A big fallacy is when you take someone like Aldo, blow him up to JDS' size and give him the exact same skills he has at 145. Yes that Aldo would kick everyones ass, but its also impossible for anyone to be that big and move like that.

Travis Browne disagrees.

 

[Calhoun]

JoeJitsu FTW. I love 'em both, but Joe is such a well-rounded fighter (great standup, wonderful wrestling, brutal gnp, and exciting transition/grappling game)...just a pleasure to watch.

JDS is always fun to watch, but he always reminds me of a more technical (in the boxing department) Chuck Liddell. His goal is to sprawl and brawl and his TDD is great, which is then followed (sans Cain) by a beating for his opponent.

 

[TFanatic]

You gotta be kidding. It's way harder to be dominant the lighter the weight

How do you figure that? The lighter weights have some of the longest win stretches at championship level. HW can change with a single punch if you're not careful.

 

[Non]

Depends on what exactly you're asking. Joe B has the more complete skill set but JDS has accomplished more in the sport and has a better chance of beating Cain than Joe does of beating MM.

Both are great fighters though.

 

[Sosua]

Interesting comparison, love both guys who are clear top 2-3 in their divisions.

JDS recently held the strap tho.

 

[ironfist05]

I've always found myself wondering this, but I'd say Joe-Ben

JDS is great, but a lot less diverse in skill set