But as expected this is what happens each time someone puts on a good performance outside UFC, they instantly become the real best and the GOAT.
I don't really see that as being any different than a UFC contender who hasn't lost yet but has only fought guys around 8-12 but looked great doing it; who do you have in mind as being overhyped?
For every example outside of the UFC; i'm sure an example of a guy inside the UFC who flashed talent can be said too i.e. Gunner Nelson & Brandon Thatch as examples. I guess the difference would be that those guys get the chance to show it or fail while the guy elsewhere can have the debate last a lot longer.
Here is my memory of the big names outside of the UFC and how they were viewed:
170/185 Lombard - He is a grey area; he needed to drop a weight class, but I would still pick a steroid abusing Lombard over Robbie. Fresh off of suspension Lombard still needs to be re-evaluated later this month. At 185lbs he appears to have been overvalued but at his new weight class it isn't exactly incorrect
Dantas/Galvao - Have never heard them called the best
Strauss - Haven't heard him called the best
Pitbull - Nobody is calling for him at 145 as the best, but i've went on record as to saying I think he would be in the title mix if he ever dropped to 135 like I think he is capable of doing.
Chandler/Alvarez - I thought the rematch was a tie (10-8 round for Chandler) but Eddie is coming off wins over Pettis and Gil so I think both of them have been capable of beating the champs at various points of their career
Askren - He has a loud small group of fans; and falls under the he could probably be the champion but only if Dana wanted him to be the champion. He is one dimensional but very good at that one dimension, the matchups could be made to get him to the title belt or the matchups could be made to have him go 0-2 and flame out.
Koreshkov - Coming off a performance even better than Caldwells and most don't have him beating Bendo
185lbs - All fighters laughed at universally outside of the UFC
McGeary - I've read "he could be the next Jon Jones" largely just because he is tall, rangy and has some fun striking, but in terms of the present I think most would be shocked if Phil Davis doesn't beat him. If he beats Phil Davis though, his hype is going to get huge in a hurry.
Will Brooks - Probably considered the fighter most likely to beat the UFC champ; seems reasonable to me, he is well rounded and just recently murked Chandler
King Mo - There are people who rank him too high but he isn't getting called the GOAT in any circles.
Gatheje - He is an awesome watch and it has probably been said but with each additional fight most realize he takes too much damage to be the best
Overeem - Hype was justified, he has been an unlucky fighter in the UFC.
Minakov - Who can remember that long ago? lol
Fedor - worthy of the hype
Caldwell - Monster
Bubba Jenkins - I overrated him as a fighter when I saw that he was moving to 145, but not sure many others echoed my thoughts. Still too early to be written off but he isn't apart of a major gym I don't think; so it is
