(1) UFC ranking is based on a fighter's popularity, hype and recency bias. I don't use UFC rankings to determine "Quality of Opponent." I have my own algorithm:
A) Longest winning streak in the UFC. 0 = Average, 1 to 2 = Lower tier good fighter, 3 to 5 = Upper tier good fighter, 6 to 8 = Lower tier better fighter, 9 to 12 = Upper tier better fighter, and the best fighters have 13 or more consecutive wins (based on GSP's current record, and since he is the least controversial GOAT contender, I made him the current standard).
B) Quality of The Opponent. So, you have to repeat point A, B and C for every single opponent and their opponents to get a better idea of these fighters' quality.
C) Finishing rate. Self-explanatory.
This is the criteria I use to judge Quality of Opponent. I don't care about UFC rankings, they don't mean anything to me.
(2) You are wrong about Eddie having average numbers because he is fighting better opponents. Here is a fighter who has arguably faced the very best in his division and for much longer than Eddie Alvarez. Compare his numbers to Eddie's.
GSP: 2470 attempted strikes 53% accuracy with 73% striking defense. 122 attempted TD's 74% completion with 84% TDD.
The numbers don't lie. If you are as good as your fans say you are then it will reflected in the numbers. The more better athletes join the sport, the more this will get closer to being the truth.
(3) Of course I am picking and choosing statistics to support my argument. That is what I am suppose to do, until you can demonstrate that the statistics I am using are not valid and reliable.
A) MMA has two major domains A) Striking (on the feet, in the clinch and on the ground) and B) Grappling. An MMA fight will always happen in one of those two major domains. When you throw a strike, it is counted. When you duck a strike, it is counted, and when you are struck, it is counted against you. The same for TD and TDD.
It is really this simple. So, I am really flabbergasted that you implying I am just picking random stats. I am picking the stats that have to do with the two major domains of MMA. What are you using to back up your opinion?
B) I have looked at the stats of GSP, Anderson, Jon Jones, and Demetrious Johnson. These 4 widely argued as the Top 4 greatest fighters in the UFC to date, and their numbers match the record and how reasonable fans feel about them. This how I am further convinced that the numbers tell a better story that is closer to the truth than UFC hype and fan feelings.
(4) Michael Chandler doesn't fight in the UFC. This debate is about who is the better matchup for Khabib between Kevin Lee, Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez. All these 3 guys fight in the UFC and the UFC.com has their stats.
I looked at the stats, and also my recollection of their most recent fights, and I concluded, on paper, the best matchup for Khabib is Dustin Poirier, Kevin Lee then Eddie Alvarez. This is my opinion based on the current stats.