How does this era of champs compare to the golden era

[AndrewGolota48]

When these new guys can reign over their respective divisions for 6+ years we can come back and have this discussion. Basically all of the golden era fighters have more championships than these newer champions have wins inside the UFC.

And don't talk about some bullshit about today's athletes are better than athletes from a decade ago because that's total bullshit. The NFL has been tracking athletic profiles of their draftees for 40 years now. To this day the greatest pure athletes the NFL has ever seen are players from decades ago. If Calvin Johnson reversed age by 15 years he'd be far and away the most gifted wide receiver on the field today, and there is literal athletic testing charts to prove it. Usain Bolt still holds all the records, by a country mile, 10 years after his retirement.

When it comes to athletes there are guys that are simply statistical outliers, and those athletes tend to be remain outliers forever.

Yeah I think it's more about the skill development. To reference another recent thread, it's not like NBA athletes have evolved beyond Wilt Chamberlain and Shaq...two guys that played 30-60+ years ago.

 

[GOATtalks]

Using a 1 in a million fight to prove a point makes you look stupid

Out of camp weight means NOTHING since its just their weight when they are out of shape. Matt Sera was a 1 in a million fluke. He also was 185LBs on fight night vs GSP. GSP now would probably rag doll Illia. Prime for Prime it would be even more 1 sided.

BJ Penn almost beat GSP and when he fought at FW he looked way softer than Topuria. He actually weighed less than Topuria when BJ fought at LW.

BJ and Serra are similar size to Topuria, but Topuria is much better than both of them. GSP is also 43 right now. He probably wouldn’t survive a round against Topuria if they fought now at 170

 

[meast]

Poatan, DDP/Khamzat, Islam, Topoiria

vs
Ando, GSP, Jones, DJ

the skill level of this generation is crazy. I have no doubts Ilia would probably KO GSP.

Poatan/DPP/Khamzat would make Ando and Jon Jones look like Bobby Lee.

However these guys seem so under appreciated by modern fans. Perhaps it's more a cultural issue with our present society.

Jon Jones is one of the current champs?

 

[Hog-train]

the skill level of this generation is crazy. I have no doubts Ilia would probably KO GSP.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

I do think the current era guys are probably a little underrated. Islam and Ilia at least seem to be tough fights for pretty much anyone in history in their division. Aspinall and Merab are very talented too.

 

[muaythaibeast]

It would be weird if the overall level of the sport didn't improve over time.

Aspinall
Pereira
Khamzat
Shavkat
Islam
Topuria

Would definitely run over the champions from 10-15 years ago. Jones could likely fuck Pereira, but other than that it would be lopsided for the current alpha dogs.

Agreed on the whole, but I think Aspinall and Jones would have very tough fights against JDS or Cain. I think Aspinall could win either, but JDS especially would be very tough.
Likely GSP would run through Shakhvat too.

 

[bng]

jamala hill clears all at his prime

 

[World eater]

I have no doubts Ilia would probably KO GSP.

If you have “no doubts”, then the word “probably” has no place in that sentence.
Do you know that GSP retired as a MW champ?
Also, it is Aldo, not Ando.

 

[Tweak896]

Poatan, Chimaev, Shavkat, Islam, Toppy best line ever

Lately I've been thinking the champs have been shit, but that gives hope. Throw Aspinall at HW and Umar at BW. That's a deep lineup and how strong champs should be.

 

[Rio Ferdinand]

Khamzat could be as good as anybody thats stepped in that Octagon. He just needs to keep fighting and staying healthy. He also has the magical aura about him where you just HAVE to tune in to his fights. Similar to Conor, Khabib, Jones etc.

Poatan is great. Islam is so well rounded too.

As for GSP getting Ko'ed by Illia? Brother. Stop.

 

[ArtardFiesta]

If you have “no doubts”, then the word “probably” has no place in that sentence.
Do you know that GSP retired as a MW champ?
Also, it is Aldo, not Ando.

ando = anderson silva

 

[World eater]

ando = anderson silva

This actually made me laugh. Good one.

 

[HHJ]

Can. We. Give. It. Some. Time.

Please?

BEHEAD THOSE WHO DONT GIVE IT SOME TIME

 

[HHJ]

Sherdoggers love to bury people.

Either its destroying retired legends' legacies or completley taking a shit on a guy who just won a title before he even has the belt for a year.

 

[jooohnmatrix]

Ilia will always be that guy who fled a war when his country needed him. I don’t think it will be long before karma catches up.

 

[Taric]

mma is different from the sports you listed.

overall mma talented in the golden era isn't what it was today. meaning you could specialize in one aspect and get far. these guys standing, on the ground, submission outclass the golden era. more to do with the sport still evolving - you don't see this in track.

What are you rambling about? Guys like GSP, Cruz, Mighty Mouse, etc were the definition of being well rounded. Fighters today still aren't as well rounded as they were. It's the entire reason they won as many championships as they did... they didn't have weaknesses.

You new era people just make shit up in your head and run with it apparently