Fighters peaking at a later age...

[Kung Fu bb]

Daniel Cormier: 37 years old... current lhw champ...
Werdum: 39 years old... was the hw champ months ago.... has a rematch scheduled with Cain for the ts.
Bisping: 37 years old.... current mw champ... has been in the ufc since 2006.
Maia: 38... has been in the ufc since 2008. Is the next on the line after Wonderboy.
Overeem: 36 years old... just lost a title fight.
Yoel Romero and Jacare: 39 and 36 respectively...


What is the formula to be so successful at such high level in the toughest sport on the planet?
Who do you admire/like the most on the list above?

 

[Zebra Cheeks]

I think part of the reason we see a higher age for some really strong fighters in the ufc is because of how much of it comes down to skill, and the fact that there are weight limits to the sport (as fighters get older, and they lose some bulk naturally, they can drop weight classes)

 

[LouisBolanos]

DC being champ is a result of Jones' real life indiscretions
Werdum/Overeem/HW: power being the last to go + stagnent division with generally the lowest level of athletes
Bisping: fluke KO
Maia: backpack-ism
Romero: gay jesus + being a B-level athlete doesn't hurt

 

[manapua]

1) Be in a shallow division.
2) Fight for the title after USADA has begun testing.

 

[Kung Fu bb]

I think part of the reason we see a higher age for some really strong fighters in the ufc is because of how much of it comes down to skill, and the fact that there are weight limits to the sport (as fighters get older, and they lose some bulk naturally, they can drop weight classes)

I´m a huge fan of Edgar and he´s a good example too, he was champ in the 155 division and still had time to cut down, but there was a man called Aldo in the lower division.... now he might have to cut down again to 135, but there is the dominator´s territory.... tough path ahead for "the answer". I still believe he can pull it off though, what do you think?

 

[Zebra Cheeks]

I´m a huge fan of Edgar and he´s a good example too, he was champ in the 155 division and still had time to cut down, but there was a man called Aldo in the lower division.... now he might have to cut down again to 135, but there is the dominator´s territory.... tough path ahead for "the answer". I still believe he can pull it off though, what do you think?

Yeah and I think rashad was another name that was cutting weight in old age? Its just a decent way to go when you cant bulk the way you used to. I mean as far as Edgar is concerned...Well, heres the thing... Edgar is one of those guys who I dont really like counting out, but I feel like he has always been 1 step below that "superstar belt holder" status. He might have a chance at getting a belt at some point depending on where he goes, but id be surprised to see him defend it more than once even if he does manage to get it. Hes beaten some big names at 145 so far, but mendes and urijiah are also people who are always 1 step below that top tier, I guess the difference is I think its realistic for edgar to get there with some luck, where as its not for the other two.

I really want to see him fight max holloway.

 

[thobra]

I don't think it has that much to do with fighters peaking at a later age, but much more about the skill level of the different division.

Bisping/Werdum/Overeem/Yoel/Jacare are all in divisions where the best fighters got old, so they have much easier fights now. They were always good, top 5-10 fighters, but now they don't have to fight the Andersons, the Fedors, the Hendos, the Rampages, the Shoguns, th Big Nogs or the Belforts to be champ. (these are all just some examples).

 

[fortheo]

Training smarter, and excelling at a style that is more dependent on skill rather than athleticism.

 

[Kung Fu bb]

Yeah and I think rashad was another name that was cutting weight in old age? Its just a decent way to go when you cant bulk the way you used to. I mean as far as Edgar is concerned...Well, heres the thing... Edgar is one of those guys who I dont really like counting out, but I feel like he has always been 1 step below that "superstar belt holder" status. He might have a chance at getting a belt at some point depending on where he goes, but id be surprised to see him defend it more than once even if he does manage to get it. Hes beaten some big names at 145 so far, but mendes and urijiah are also people who are always 1 step below that top tier, I guess the difference is I think its realistic for edgar to get there with some luck, where as its not for the other two.

I really want to see him fight max holloway.

Nice.... and when he decides to go down to 135, do you think they´ll give him a fight against Dom straight away, or a big name before?

 

[Zebra Cheeks]

Nice.... and when he decides to go down to 135, do you think they´ll give him a fight against Dom straight away, or a big name before?

dominick is very different from aldo. Aldo needs anyone with a big name to get back to being in the conversation for a connor fight. Dominick is very particular about who he fights, and it increasing his stock as a fighter. Id expect DC to want to see edgar put together a 2-3 fight win streak

 

[Kung Fu bb]

Training smarter, and excelling at a style that is more dependent on skill rather than athleticism.

Good point. Frank Mir used to say that a lot, IIRC.

 

[Bacco]

More than peak at later age many times is XXX weight division getting weaker in that period for whatever reason

Werdum is an example of somebody that fought a bun

Of the ones you listed

HW got weaker after the period Cain/JDS were two beast
DC is Champ because Jones is out
MW have nobody like prime Anderson
WW have no more GSP, who will have jabfested Maia

I respected them all, but let's be real, with Cain/JDS, Jones, Anderson and GSP at theyr peak the gates were closed

 

[Bacco]

Also about Maia and Jacare, i think more than "peak" now i think it's about it took time adjust theyr game to MMA

 

[fortheo]

Nice.... and when he decides to go down to 135, do you think they´ll give him a fight against Dom straight away, or a big name before?

He mentioned something like he believes that the people in charge will give him a shot at Dom if Frankie is coming off a win. Then the interviewer (I believe it was Helwani) said, "a win at 135, or a win at 145" and Edgar said, "either or, as long as i'm coming off a win."

Something like that. It was in that hour long special about Mark henry and his pizza place.

 

[artisabang]

DC being champ is a result of Jones' real life indiscretions

aren't young people more prone to these sorts of 'indiscretions?'

 

[UkraineFreightTrain]

You only named guys that fought at MW or higher (besides Maia)

I think it's different for the little guys, they don't tend to hang around and get old. They say the first thing you lose is your timing, then speed -- stamina and the last thing to go is the power. This is probably the reason that the higher weight classes have much more seasoned fighters towards the top of the rankings

 

[Zebra Cheeks]

You only named guys that fought at MW or higher (besides Maia)

I think it's different for the little guys, they don't tend to hang around and get old. They say the first thing you lose is your timing, then speed -- stamina and the last thing to go is the power. This is probably the reason that the higher weight classes have much more seasoned fighters towards the top of the rankings

it would also make sense why a lot of grapplers can stick around

 

[The Beast Within]

DC being champ is a result of Jones' real life indiscretions
Werdum/Overeem/HW: power being the last to go + stagnent division with generally the lowest level of athletes
Bisping: fluke KO
Maia: backpack-ism
Romero: gay jesus + being a B-level athlete doesn't hurt

not a fluke, that's exactly what he said was going to happen

 

[Kung Fu bb]

You only named guys that fought at MW or higher (besides Maia)

I think it's different for the little guys, they don't tend to hang around and get old. They say the first thing you lose is your timing, then speed -- stamina and the last thing to go is the power. This is probably the reason that the higher weight classes have much more seasoned fighters towards the top of the rankings

Nice post. That makes sense. With the smaller guys, speed is vital.... with the heavier guys, it´s more the experience to find that perfect moment to land that single punch