Guy's that would've been champs if not for GOAT's

[Jack Handy jr]

Like Cormier ran in to the GOAT of American wrestling in Cael Sanderson, and the MMA goat in Jones seems like DC has really bad timing. Who else Ran in to Great Champs. that would have maybe been champs themselves?

 

[Elysianwing]

Probably Florian, somewhere.

 

[heavyarms21]

Chad Mendes. Cro Cop.

 

[Weuylf]

Uhm, JDS? Like legit.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

Chael would have been MW champ at some point, if not for you-know-who.

 

[Elysianwing]

Okami probably would've held the belt for a minute or two.

 

[Origami]

Likely everybody that gets a title shot.

 

[Psychedelic]

Jose Aldo.

 

[HELVETE]

Siver

 

[loisestrad]

Chad Mendes. Cro Cop.

Cro Cop, no.

Had Fedor not been around, Cro Cop still lost to Nog (and Hunt for that matter).

 

[heavyarms21]

Cro Cop, no.

Had Fedor not been around, Cro Cop still lost to Nog (and Hunt for that matter).

Yeah but the potential was there

 

[BudoFighter]

Sakuraba if it wasn't for Wanderlei Silva maybe.

 

[BudoFighter]

Cro Cop, no.

Had Fedor not been around, Cro Cop still lost to Nog (and Hunt for that matter).

And Nog could also be called in some sort of GOAT top list.

 

[SocraticMethod]

Jon Fitch.

 

[SocraticMethod]

I think Hendo could have/would have held the UFC MW title for a while, if not for Anderson. Anderson's next few fights after Hendo were Irvin (LHW), Cote, Leites - I think Hendo beats all those guys.

Obviously Hendo was champion in Pride and SF, just talking about the UFC here.

 

[loisestrad]

Yeah but the potential was there

I don't think it was. Not if by "champ" we're talking fighters who would have an actual reign as champ. Cro Cop wasn't consistent enough to do that.

 

[Monkey Pride]

Fitch

 

[Exarch01]

Kenny Florian and Jon Fitch for sure.

Joseph Benavidez too.

 

[Kanster]

Okami probably would've held the belt for a minute or two.

Word to big bird.

 

[frederick]

James Irvin