People also have to remember Tony was not a well know fighter at all. He was getting wrestle fucked in a snooze fest when the McGregor hype train was taking off. He was remembered as "that TUF guy" where as Eddie was the hottest non UFC signed prospect in ages, was ranked #2 when BJ Penn was destroying it at LW and seen as a guy that had no weaknesses He also reigned over the stacked Bellator LW division and was fed ex champions/recent title contenders back to back after he lost to Cerrone, who is one hell of a welcoming fight. They threw him threw the murderers row to try and make an example of him like they did to Askren, but Eddie somehow made it thru won the title.
This narrative of "Eddie is a bum" did not start until Conor clowned on him. Most here thought Eddie was Nate Diaz but with better wrestling and power, gave Conor no shot. As expected, he kept his form after losing to Conor and went on to beat Gaethje in an all time war and force Poirier to "pull a Weidman" in his Moose fight. Sure, he has gotten old, but he is absolutely in the top 5 GOAT LW's and has probably the best longevity in the game. When all is said and done, he may actually be Conor's second best win to his resume behind Aldo.