Could prime Jose Aldo have beaten Ilia Topuria?

[Subline]

What do you guys think? Whichever version of Aldo you consider his prime.

Both have fast, powerful and accurate hands. Aldo is definitely a more versatile striker, could he have beaten Topuria?

 

[TheBulge]

He was beaten by all the great FW's. Conor, Max, Volk. Ilia has crushed two of those proving he's at or above that level. He clearly crushes prime Aldo as well.

 

[Marko Polo]

Yes

 

[chinarice]

Doubtful. Aldo was very good in his time but no one he fought was on Volk, Max or Ilia's level or even close.

 

[SalvadorAllende]

Fuck no.

This verion of Topuria is the best FW ever.

 

[moreorless87]

You could argue I spose Topuria might have given Aldo a bit more time/space than Max did but still I feel like KO power would probably be a factor, 145lbs pre Topuria was a division were you could afford to take a few punches, now I think tis suddenly become one were that is far more dangerous.

 

[Young Calf Kick]

Prime Aldo has a style matchup advantage against Topuria. Topuria's stance is pretty much that of a boxer. He's very subsceptible to leg kicks. Prime Aldo was the most dangerous leg kicker in the game back then, bar Pedro Rizzo. I can see Aldo chopping Topuria's legs up, not get taken down, and take over in the later rounds.

 

[ChuFye]

View attachment 1068773

What do you guys think? Whichever version of Aldo you consider his prime.

Both have fast, powerful and accurate hands. Aldo is definitely a more versatile striker, could he have beaten Topuria?

Of course not, you. dumb dumb.

 

[asdf122345]

Nope. Topuria is a tank.

 

[HuskySamoan]

Aldo had the kicks and probably the speed advantage for sure but he was kinda wild and never really got punished for that because he fought in an era when 145 was super green and most guys simply couldn't handle his athletic gifts. Hard to say for sure but Ilia was far more polished than prime Aldo and puts his hands together way better, more purpose, more defensively responsible and better technique. The cardio is the other issue, Aldos cardio always sucked down the stretch when he wasn't allowed to coast.

I'd favor Ilia at this point but I'm not exactly confident. Aldos speed and explosive power used to really be something and back when he'd open up with kicks and had a dynamic kneeing game..

 

[Ryoto Machida]

Not a chance. The level of competition is simply much higher than it was is Aldo's heyday.

 

[wh4tttt]

aldo loves to circle away and try to roll with the punch.

would get set up into a trap eventually.

 

[flektarn]

pre motorcycle accident that threw kicks?
I can see it.

 

[Hannibal Lector]

Yes Aldo would win… recency bias at best by sherdog and mma fans… Aldo would be able to keep the distance and would be technical sound and pick him apart. Other than the KO power Aldo would have his way with him.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Aldo had the kicks and probably the speed advantage for sure but he was kinda wild and never really got punished for that because he fought in an era when 145 was super green and most guys simply couldn't handle his athletic gifts. Hard to say for sure but Ilia was far more polished than prime Aldo and puts his hands together way better, more purpose, more defensively responsible and better technique. The cardio is the other issue, Aldos cardio always sucked down the stretch when he wasn't allowed to coast.

I'd favor Ilia at this point but I'm not exactly confident. Aldos speed and explosive power used to really be something and back when he'd open up with kicks and had a dynamic kneeing game..

Hey look, someone who's smart. Peak Aldo was on another level as an athlete. Ilia couldn't have worked those kicks and he couldn't have used his wrestling. His advantage would be his boxing. Now, prime Aldo with those kicks and that freak speed with his knees and anticipation? Who knows. It's a lot closer fight than people here think it is.

 

[Young Calf Kick]

He was beaten by all the great FW's. Conor, Max, Volk. Ilia has crushed two of those proving he's at or above that level. He clearly crushes prime Aldo as well.

That's not how MMA works

 

[BlankaPresident]

Easily.

Topuria wouldn't last 2 rounds against UFC 212 Aldo.

 

[chinarice]

Yes Aldo would win… recency bias at best by sherdog and mma fans… Aldo would be able to keep the distance and would be technical sound and pick him apart. Other than the KO power Aldo would have his way with him.

Literally watched Aldo since the WEC days. Why are you not allowed to pick the newer fighter ever without it being "recency bias"?

 

[Ryoto Machida]

Prime Aldo has a style matchup advantage against Topuria. Topuria's stance is pretty much that of a boxer. He's very subsceptible to leg kicks. Prime Aldo was the most dangerous leg kicker in the game back then, bar Pedro Rizzo. I can see Aldo chopping Topuria's legs up, not get taken down, and take over in the later rounds.

Post WEC, who did Aldo dominate with leg kicks?

 

[Hog-train]

Topuria is a much more polished striker than Aldo.

But Aldo's leg kicks were pretty insane in his prime.