Does Prime Cejudo beat Sterling, Merab and Song?

[TerraRayzing]

He had a super close fight with Sterling, got steamrolled by Merab (after a good first round) and while it was close with Song, he was a step behind.
Imo, prime Henry beats Sterling and Dong but idk about Merab and his freak cardio. If he had a close fight with Sterling, after years off and past his prime, he would definitely be the favorite to beat him. Same for Song, Prime Cejudo wins there as his wrestling has really degressed, so has his speed, reflxes and especially cardio.
Kinda sad. I don't hate the guy like others do and appreciated his streak from DJ to Cruz. His attempt to play with the UFC kinda backfired and he sat out his prime years.

 

[BowserJr]

Yes

 

[Sean Chowdhury]

yes he beats song, he was already landing big shots on song and busted his face up at the age of 38, a prime henry with better speed and cardio wins against song cleanly. Aljamain is a tough one since he has a size advantage and could always get good position to control henry due to his superior grappling, it's a 50/50 fight. I think he loses to merab in a 5 rounder but he can also win a 48-47 decision, Umar got close to doing it so maybe henry can win on points by winning the first 3 rounds

 

[JustOnce]

I think he loses to all three the exact way he lost.

He's like Romero in a way that his wrestling, I've been saying this for years, doesn't translate that well to MMA wrestling. Obviously, when you have that pedigree, it's going to be hard to take you down and keep you down, especially at FLW, like DJ found out, I thought Henry lost that one too, but that's beside the point.

Henry is also like Romero in a way he has no submission threat, but he's not half as dangerous as Romero on the feet, nor is he willing to throw a lot of volume out either.

He thinks he's much better than he actually is on the feet, I believe.

If Cejudo was a natural BW, I think Henry would beat Sterling easy. But he's not. And people think Dong is some scrub, he's not. I'd argue he's quite a bit better than Bisping that GSP beat for the MW title. Bisping is a career journeyman who is more like Matt Serra. Dong is 11-3-1 in UFC, and his only losses are to Yan and Sandhagen and Philips. But he was only 23 when he lost to Philips.

And Cejudo isn't no GSP either, not to mention GSP didn't look that small against Bisping, whereas it looked like Dong dwarfed Henry.

I have absolutely no reason to believe that the outcome would've been any different unless these fights took place at FLW.

Henry in my opinion is one of those guys who looks much, much better on paper than what he actually brings to the table.

 

[bjjwar]

He easily beats Merab and Song. Sterling idk tho.

 

[tritestill]

Think Henry only has issues with Merab in his prime.

 

[TerraRayzing]

I think he loses to all three the exact way he lost.

He's like Romero in a way that his wrestling, I've been saying this for years, doesn't translate that well to MMA wrestling. Obviously, when you have that pedigree, it's going to be hard to take you down and keep you down, especially at FLW, like DJ found out, I thought Henry lost that one too, but that's beside the point.

Henry is also like Romero in a way he has no submission threat, but he's not half as dangerous as Romero on the feet, nor is he willing to throw a lot of volume out either.

He thinks he's much better than he actually is on the feet, I believe.

If Cejudo was a natural BW, I think Henry would beat Sterling easy. But he's not. And people think Dong is some scrub, he's not. I'd argue he's quite a bit better than Bisping that GSP beat for the MW title. Bisping is a career journeyman who is more like Matt Serra. Dong is 11-3-1 in UFC, and his only losses are to Yan and Sandhagen and Philips. But he was only 23 when he lost to Philips.

And Cejudo isn't no GSP either, not to mention GSP didn't look that small against Bisping, whereas it looked like Dong dwarfed Henry.

I have absolutely no reason to believe that the outcome would've been any different unless these fights took place at FLW.

Henry in my opinion is one of those guys who looks much, much better on paper than what he actually brings to the table.

Really? He controlled Sergio Pettis and beat him due to wrestling, even hold down DJ in the rematch, not for long but that's a massive feat esp with a messed up ankle. He also beat the shit out of Marlon and it was his wrestling that set him up for the win.

You're talking like current Henry is no different than Prime Henry. The guy has clearly slowed down, by a lot and his cardio is nowhere what it used to be.

 

[JustOnce]

Really? He controlled Sergio Pettis and beat him due to wrestling, even hold down DJ in the rematch, not for long but that's a massive feat esp with a messed up ankle. He also beat the shit out of Marlon and it was his wrestling that set him up for the win.

You're talking like current Henry is no different than Prime Henry. The guy has clearly slowed down, by a lot and his cardio is nowhere what it used to be.

Pettis lol. DJ is a midget like Henry is.

Marlon is no Sterling, Merab nor Dong.

He hasn't declined. He is losing to better competition.

Also btw, it wasnt his wrestling that got him that win against Moraes.

Let me put it this way. Cejudo right now would beat both Prime Pettis and Moraes.

 

[TerraRayzing]

Pettis lol. DJ is a midget like Henry is.

Marlon is no Sterling, Merab nor Dong.

He hasn't declined. He is losing to better competition.

??? Marlon KOed Sterling and almost KOed Merab.
You honestly believe that Cjeudo has not regressed, at 38 years old?

 

[JustOnce]

??? Marlon KOed Sterling and almost KOed Merab.
You honestly believe that Cjeudo has not regressed, at 38 years old?

Serra koed GSP. Its all about match ups. Moraes was a dangerous front runner with no heart.

No I do not.

 

[TerraRayzing]

Serra koed GSP. Its all about match ups. Moraes was a dangerous front runner with no heart.

No I do not.

Did you really compare Marlon, guy who was on a vicious win streak to fucking Serra?
Former Olympian with a lot of miles and at 38 years old is , still in his prime. Congrats. You're stupid.

 

[JustOnce]

Did you really compare Marlon, guy who was on a vicious win streak to fucking Serra?
Former Olympian with a lot of miles and at 38 years old is , still in his prime. Congrats. You're stupid.

Lmaaaaaaao. A vicious win streak lol.

 

[TerraRayzing]

Lmaaaaaaao. A vicious win streak lol.

Sure. Whatever you say, stupid.

 

[mkt]

Not sure, but I think prime, pre-ACL injury Cruz and prime TJ either beat Merab or have a fight that goes to a very close, controversial decision. They both had cardio, movement and well-rounded game that's lacking at BW right now (besides maybe Umar).

I also think either prime Aldo or Edgar would be very tough match-ups for Merab if they ever dropped to BW (both did but much later in their careers).

Guys like O'Malley just don't match up well with Merab at all.

 

[TerraRayzing]

Not sure, but I think prime, pre-ACL injury Cruz and prime TJ either beat Merab or have a fight that goes to a very close, controversial decision. They both had cardio, movement and well-rounded game that's lacking at BW right now (besides maybe Umar).

I also think either prime Aldo or Edgar would be very tough match-ups for Merab if they ever dropped to BW (both did but much later in their careers).

Guys like O'Malley just don't match up well with Merab at all.

I actually wanted to make a thread about that. Who, out of prime TJ and Cruz, had the best chance of beating Merab?
I'd say TJ, dude was great cardio himself and I think Merab would be cautious of his power as he did have some, at least more than Cruz.
I agree with prime Aldo too. Out of prime Aldo definitely gave Merab trouble. He had no idea how to deal with Aldo's speed and striking when they were exchanging.

 

[JustOnce]

Sure. Whatever you say, stupid.

You know, sometimes when I say things that doesn't fall in line with consensus, I keep getting quoted, and to avoid going back and forth, just let me make myself clear.

I followed Henry before he came over to UFC. I do think I have a good familiarity of what he brought to the table as a fighter, and big respect for him beating guys like he did beat. However, it does look way better on paper than it was. Dominic was well past his prime, and TJ was likely well drained from the weight cut he shouldn't have made. I thought DJ got robbed as well, though it was closer.

His wrestling was good enough to beat some guys at FLW, but it's not enough to impose it against guys like Merab, Sterling, and Dong. It's just not, and he's a midget in a way.

I don't know but some people do stay better and prevent from regressing. I don't see it in his performance, and it's not like Cejudo fought a lot in UFC. He fought 7 times in last 7+ years. He wrestled, but it's not like he had a long wrestling career either. He didn't stick around that long.

Marlon was a dangerous guy, but he was a guy who wilted when the other guy could give it back. There are many guys who are dangerous but get exposed eventually. And his vicious win streak wasn't really as vicious or great as you make it out to be nor was it against necessarily an elite competition. I mean the guy had split dec win against Dodson. Flash kos happen as well.

All in all, you can think what you want. And I'm out this thread this moment. Cejudo had a great run. But he's irrelevant at this point and I do not believe he fought enough to necessarily be considered a legend either. He's like Cain, but not as good as Cain.

I like Henry. But he would've lose to all three fair and square in his prime, unless it was at FLW. He is a guy who looks so much better on paper than he was as a fighter. It is what it is.

If you disagree, it's just fine, we will never know anyways. With that said, I'm out this thread, don't quote me guys, enough back and forth as is on this matter. Cheers!

 

[pick999]

He already beat Sterling he was robbed because of 1 judge that rigged it

 

[mkt]

I actually wanted to make a thread about that. Who, out of prime TJ and Cruz, had the best chance of beating Merab?
I'd say TJ, dude was great cardio himself and I think Merab would be cautious of his power as he did have some, at least more than Cruz.
I agree with prime Aldo too. Out of prime Aldo definitely gave Merab trouble. He had no idea how to deal with Aldo's speed and striking when they were exchanging.

It's worth noting that the Cruz who (barely) beat TJ had only fought once in the previous 4 year and already had ACL injuries/surgery. The prime, young Cruz had speed and footwork than Merab has never seen. Of course he didn't have TJ or Aldo's power, so there was no KO threat. But I think it would be tricky to TD or corner Cruz very much. I think it would be a fascinating and tough fight for both prime Cruz and Merab if they fought each other. It wouldn't be a "just bleed" fight where someone got finished, though.

 

[Here's Johnny!]

I think he loses to all three the exact way he lost.

He's like Romero in a way that his wrestling, I've been saying this for years, doesn't translate that well to MMA wrestling. Obviously, when you have that pedigree, it's going to be hard to take you down and keep you down, especially at FLW, like DJ found out, I thought Henry lost that one too, but that's beside the point.

Henry is also like Romero in a way he has no submission threat, but he's not half as dangerous as Romero on the feet, nor is he willing to throw a lot of volume out either.

He thinks he's much better than he actually is on the feet, I believe.

If Cejudo was a natural BW, I think Henry would beat Sterling easy. But he's not. And people think Dong is some scrub, he's not. I'd argue he's quite a bit better than Bisping that GSP beat for the MW title. Bisping is a career journeyman who is more like Matt Serra. Dong is 11-3-1 in UFC, and his only losses are to Yan and Sandhagen and Philips. But he was only 23 when he lost to Philips.

And Cejudo isn't no GSP either, not to mention GSP didn't look that small against Bisping, whereas it looked like Dong dwarfed Henry.

I have absolutely no reason to believe that the outcome would've been any different unless these fights took place at FLW.

Henry in my opinion is one of those guys who looks much, much better on paper than what he actually brings to the table.

I have never seen a post where I disagreed with 100% of the content before... good job

 

[Thesnake101]

Song and Sterling, yeah imo.

Merab gives him hell at any point. It's a unique matchup and someone whose pace Henry can't match.