First 12 fights of current TOP 4 Lightweights

"Strength of schedule" and "padded record" are common themes which come up when discussing the current LW champ. I decided to put things in perspective and analyze the first 12 opponents of the current TOP 4 Lightweights by their W/L ratio. Lost fights are in YELLOW.

Note: I excluded Poirier since he was in WEC by fight #8 and in the UFC by fight #10.

LW first 12 by Hotora86 posted Feb 5, 2020 at 10:16 AM

Some interesting takeaways I got from this comparison:

• Khabib's record does indeed look "padded" but he never lost
• Conor's first 12 are stronger than Khabib's but he lost twice
• Tony's first 12 are stronger than Conor's and he only lost once
• Gaethje's first 12 are the strongest by far and he never lost

What's Your takeaway?

PS.
Not hating on Khabib, of course his current accomplishments are more important than this.
Of course these are just stats and stats never show a complete picture.
Shout-out to @Zebra Cheeks the stat-lover.

 

very interesting

 

I am drunk. But shouldn’t you do their last 4?

 

I don’t know...thanks for posting, it’s interesting.

But it’s basically like comparing high school stats of now professional athletes.
Or the competitive blue/purple belt records of now world class black belts.

 

Or the eight before their last four?

 

I don't know what does it represent ... is it the WIN/LOSE RATIO at the time they fought ?

 

Yes.

 

I did this because ppl keep talking about "padded records" - so it must be important for some of us here. Comparing at least four top fighters puts things in perspective.

 

Patient Gadje becomes champ

 

Interesting thread @Hotora86 just one thing: would've been cool if you've added the names of the guys they've fought as well!

 

but this is the first 12 fights in the UFC or in their careers ?

 

Too much work.
Besides, I was focused on the W/L ratio, who cares what their names are?
You can quickly check the names and records on Tapology for example:
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/18536-khabib-nurmagomedov
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/14607-conor-mcgregor
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/tony-ferguson-el-cucuy
https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/16421-justin-gaethje

 

The first 12 fights of their careers obviously.
0-0 guys wouldn't be in the UFC right?

Also note what I said about Dustin:

 

I get it now, that's why I couldn't get it. I don't know if it is interesting to study, only their UFC records matter, the rest is not comparable.

 

I did this because ppl keep talking about "padded records" - so it must be important for some of us here.

 

Who cares about their first twelve mma fights?

Compare their first twelve UFC fights instead. You could then include Poirier too.

1. Kamal Shalorus
2. Gleison Tibau
3. Tiago Tavares
4. Abel Trujillo
5. Pat Healy
6. RDA
7. Darrell Horcher
8. Michael Johnson
9. Edson Barboza
10. Al Iaquinta
11. Conrat
12. Dustin Poirier

Good list of opponents

Khabib Bless

 

isn't the middle / latter body of a record more important?

 

Should include Khabib first 12 judo, sambo and amateur fights too lol

I think for the current ACTIVE fighters, their latest fights speak more about their CURRENT STATE compare to their first of whatever

 

agreed with what you have specifically said, perhaps not with what you are implying though

 

padded record is relevant for fighter who never fought in the UFC, but when you are in the UFC for 10 years, the idea of padded record is non sense