DJ says he’d pick Merab over prime Cruz

[MMAMidwit]

And 15 years from now, some newb will come along and say Merab or whoever your favorite fighter is, was overrated and not that good.

It happens the same way every time. People who weren't around at the time, look back at fighters and think they weren't ever that good, hence ignorant statements like "Cruz was massively overrated". It the same reason why every year we get a thread about "Fedor's legacy is a myth" or some shit, like there is right now.

You suffer from recency bias. Cruz was not "massively overrated" - that's ridiculous. You don't become a champion in the premiere fighting organization in the world by being "massively overrated".

Can't wait for you tell us next that the WEC was bush league because it wasn't "UFC bro".

Tell us more about how you recently got in to MMA without telling us you recently got in to MMA.

Well, Cruz is in consideration for bantamweight GOAT. That's what I am responding to. His resume doesn't warrant that and he was a tricky pillow-fisted fighter that was essentially a one-trick pony. Underrated wrestling but definitely not an overall GOAT-tier fighter. So in that sense he's massively overrated.

10 years from now Merab might rack up tons of losses in the interim but his cardio, wrestling, and heart will always remain undeniable and pose a threat to any conceivable future fighter.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

He'll keep proving it, Merab plans to fight until he is 50.

 

[TheNewGame]

I don't see prime Cruz finishing Merab and he is not winnig a decision either I think. Merab is the BW GOAT at this point. He is the better fighter and he has the much better wins against way stiffer competition.

I think Umar was winning against Merab until he broke his hand, and Cejudo, Aldo, Moraes were all clearly past it when they fought Merab.

Seems like the last time we saw prime Cruz before all the major injuries, setbacks, long layoffs was when he beat Demitrious Johnson in 2011.

 

[helltoupee]

Well, Cruz is in consideration for bantamweight GOAT. That's what I am responding to. His resume doesn't warrant that and he was a tricky pillow-fisted fighter that was essentially a one-trick pony. Underrated wrestling but definitely not an overall GOAT-tier fighter. So in that sense he's massively overrated.

10 years from now Merab might rack up tons of losses in the interim but his cardio, wrestling, and heart will always remain undeniable and pose a threat to any conceivable future fighter.

I would agree with you that it's debateable whether or not Cruz is the BW goat. I was responding to your declaration that Cruz was "massively overrated".

Whether you meant "massively overrated" as a consideration for goat, or just as a fighter, saying that is a bit of an exaggeration.

 

[BangBang]

Hard to pick against Merab against anyone except maybe an Umar rematch

Umar is so technically easy on the eye,.so fluent and seamless transitions. I love watching his work in the octagon. Merab is so crude in comparison, but hey he is effective!

 

[Paladin]

Hard to pick against Merab against anyone except maybe an Umar rematch

If they rematch, I see Merab finishing Umar.

 

[Superzorro]

In order to beat Cruz, we know you need to do two things - 1) either seriously hurt/finish him or 2) force him to come to you. Merab does the opposite of that (no power and always moves forward). No one has had success chasing around a prime Cruz. For him to be able to get Cruz to the ground, he needs to be able to set it up with his feet. But I don’t think Cruz would be there long enough for that. And it’s not like he’s Sean O’Malley to where he’d never be able to get up. And then, to say that Merab’s cardio would be too much, wouldn’t we have to see Cruz get tired at least once? He’s never slowed down in any of his multiple full length title fights. In fact, I seem to remember him always catching a second wind in the championship rounds. I think Cruz beats Merab.

 

[ExitLUPin]

"Ran rings around TJ for 5 rounds".

You seem to be implying that the fight wasnt close?
View attachment 1114469

That was about as even a fight as I can remember but Cruz fans always loved to exaggerate his performances since he was such a decision machine.

Cruz could win but prime Dillashaw is definitely a tougher fight for Merab. He has power and proven finishing ability and had some of the best conditioning ever.

 

[Killer Kadoogan]

duh, also 2FA has really gutted this forum. sad to see that active members is not even half of what it used to be.

 

[Dorkman]

Tough fight to call. People tend to forget Cruz was an extremely good wrestler himself(was a wrestler before he was a striker), and has very good cardio to compete with Merabs pace. If Merab gets trapped on the feet at all he gets touched up. But if Merab can successfully get fence position the same could happen in reverse where Dom has no room to strike and is only defending all fight long kind of like Yan had happen to him. I don't think DJ is out of line to side with Merab though.

 

[John makfresshi]

Hard to pick against Merab against anyone except maybe an Umar rematch

What the fuck did Umar show the make you think that

 

[RockyLockridge]

Nah, it was close for sure, but it really was 5 rounds of Cruz running rings around TJ lol. Probably no one has done as many laps of the Octagon in a fight than Cruz did that night.

TJ landed 130 strikes but also missed 300. 430 strikes he threw. That's a fucking insane stat and it's not like TJ never had great accuracy.

TJ looked unreal. Still can't believe Cruz came back from 1 fight in 4 years and pulled it off. One of my fav fights ever. I watch it all the time.

Lol I always thought i was the only one who thought it was one of the best fights ever. It's a very complete contest with both fighters showing a great deal of skill in all areas. A classic IMO

 

[Question]

Nah, I think Merab beats him in all fairness

He's good, but Merab is genuinely such a nightmare for these guys in that division and I don't think Cruz has the style to whole Merab off for that long

I think TJ would have a better shot, mainly because he's better at landing more stinging shots and maintaining a base with his low stance
Still a hard fight for him too however

 

[biscuitsbrah]

What the fuck did Umar show the make you think that

He won on damage. Rocked Merab early too. Broke his hand in the first