Can a woman be the GOAT?

[superpunch]

If a WMMA fighter has a spectacular career and finishes all her opponents undefeated, can she be considered the greatest fighter of all time? Or is that a title restricted to men only? Why?

I don't think that a woman can be considered a great fighter or the best fighter in the world. I feel the same way about 125 lb men. It's hard to think of them in the same category as the great men like Anderson Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, GSP, etc. If you're 5'3" or a woman then you just can not be in that category.

 

[Ares Black]

This is why GOAT discussions are stupid.

Context is so important.

 

[Sapphorous]

No but she can be a Once Ever Athlete, which far surpasses your basic level of GOATs.

 

[Steve-French]

No they can't men and women's goat and p4p rankings belong in separate categories.

 

[Sonny Qc]

No, GOAT's are determined by level of competition.

 

[BigMuffler]

Ronda already is GOAT.

 

[FloydMayweatherMMA]

The best ever should, in my opinion, be the favourite to win against whoever it is they're facing, no matter what weight. Therefore it's hard for anyone lower than MW to be in the discussion.

Take GSP or DJ for example, their achievements in terms of championship level fights won should single them out as the best MMA fighters ever. But they aren't, because heavyweights would knock their block off.

 

[MCS]

if she beats the best dude at her weight and he's in the mix, sure.

 

[Prince Nephilim]

There can be a women's GOAT and a men's GOAT

....but a woman that can be a GOAT over a man (which implies that the best woman fighter can beat the best male fighter) doesn't seem scientifically possible at this point in time

 

[epic1stpost]

You'd have to throw the "W" on there.
GWOAT.

 

[Adjutant]

No but she can be a Once Ever Athlete, which far surpasses your basic level of GOATs.

Context IS everything. For example, Serena Williams, the greatest female player EVER to play tennis lost in straight sets to a man ranked 203rd in the Tennis Absolute Rankings. If I remember correctly, she didn’t even win a point.

 

[bigeastgi43]

Of course a woman can be goat. You sexist bastards.

 

[Thesnake101]

No, their divisions are underdeveloped.

 

[KB Warrior]

The GOAT can be whoever you want it to be.

 

[BigMuffler]

if she beats the best dude at her weight and he's in the mix, sure.

This would make a great movie

 

[MCS]

This would make a great movie

"One woman. On a mission. To show the world - *action music* - Impossible is nothing....wait: I am what I am".

Cyborg vs McGregor: Gender Wars

It'll never fucking happen so there's always a chance

 

[BigMuffler]

"One woman. On a mission. To show the world - *action music* - Impossible is nothing....wait: I am what I am".

Cyborg vs McGregor: Gender Wars

It'll never fucking happen so there's always a chance

It should be Ronda vs Cain though XD

 

[Pingu]

Context IS everything. For example, Serena Williams, the greatest female player EVER to play tennis lost in straight sets to a man ranked 203rd in the Tennis Absolute Rankings. If I remember correctly, she didn’t even win a point.

He beat Serena 6-1 and Venus 6-2.

 

[MCS]

It should be Ronda vs Cain though XD

Combat crawl....and years of silence

 

[JamesRussler]

Sure it's possible. If this hypothetical GOAT woman were dominating her contemporaries in comically lopsided fashion, fans would clamor to see her against male competition, and promoters would find a way to make those fights. If she beat top male competition convincingly, then she would be in the GOAT conversation.

Of course, we all understand that anything is "possible." The bar is not that high. In a more plausible scenario, this GOAT female can only be GOAT against female competition.