How high would Vitaly Minakov be in UFC HW rankings?

[executionermma]

Many times Russian Sambo champ Vitaly Minakov just beat Tony Johnson (13-3 legit HW) and climbed to 21-0 as a heavyweight. That's just absurd. He'll be 33 in February and at this rhythm i wouldn't count the possibility off him surpassing Fedor 31-1 (and that loss was bullshit, i think we all can agree on that).

Right now his state is unclear but it seems like he can't fight at USA for any promotion other than Bellator, and his Bellator contract is terrible, he gets much more fighting at Russia for FNG (Fight Nights Global). So yeah, i don't see him going back to Bellator without a increase in his payment, and without a doubt i would go with him cleaning this 8 man tournament without much trouble, Meathead and Bader would be the hardest match ups i think.

As far as i know he already has a fight in the works, for May against Sergei Kharitonov, but after that i can't believe he will continue to fight at Russia, he could very well be one of the best if not the best heavyweight with motivation and serious training, and his fights usually are very exciting, he's not a HW Ben Askren. His currently record has some good names like Alexander Volkov, Cheick Kongo, Bigfoot, Peter Graham, Josh Copeland and now Tony Johnson.

He has decent striking overall speaking, good boxing and is a elite grappler, there's not many guys who could grapple with him at UFC without being finished on the ground. Vicious GNP like prime Fedor/prime Tito. On top of that, he would be one of the most athletic and well rounded heavyweights of UFC.

PS: UFC currently rankings

 

[qw3rty]

He could be #5 for sure, considering 2017 Hunt is ranked there, hell maybe #4 if Cain never comes back

I could see him fighting for the title with the proper matchmaking

 

[Emjay]

Rankings don't matter

 

[executionermma]

Rankings don't matter

yeah it does, not that much as fans want but it certainly does, it's very rare to find a top 5 fighting someone outside top 15

 

[Emjay]

yeah it does, not that much as fans want but it certainly does, it's very rare to find a top 5 fighting someone outside top 15

No. They don't matter. Fighters will tell you that.

 

[Enigma87]

I have no doubt he’d be top 3, wouldn’t be surprised if he won the title.

I would love to see him come over and fight Werdum.

 

[executionermma]

No. They don't matter. Fighters will tell you that.

that's a figure of speech, fighters usually get angry because they don't agree with their position and they use that phrase, but in reality i'll say it again, they does matter, they should be more important but it's not like UFC says "oh, fuck rankings, let's make Gustafsson x Tyson Pedro next" or "what about Khabib x Evan Dunham"

 

[Sonny Qc]

#7

Could accept Up to #5

 

[AFCrookie]

Anybody know where i can catch a video of the Johnson Minakov fight?

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

I don't know what they would rank him, but Minakov would beat anyone in UFC. I have been saying that for years on here. the UFC HW division is so old and garbage, it has a very few good fighters and the rest are very weak or don't even fight. Minakov beats most of them in my opinion.

Minakov is good everywhere, good in the striking, very good in the grappling, good wrestling, great subs, good chin, and he has that cold look in his eyes.. I reckon it would take a big effort to beat him. Volkov is probably 1 win away from a title fight and Minakov beat him very easily.

 

[BKB92]

He's very talented but his chin is suspect and his defense is iffy. That could be due to underestimating some of the bums he's been facing but still I have my doubts. Would love to see him in the UFC as he's clearly one of the best HWs in the world.

 

[SaigeVanZant]

Probably 5

 

[Emjay]

that's a figure of speech, fighters usually get angry because they don't agree with their position and they use that phrase, but in reality i'll say it again, they does matter, they should be more important but it's not like UFC says "oh, fuck rankings, let's make Gustafsson x Tyson Pedro next" or "what about Khabib x Evan Dunham"

If Rankings matter, how do fighters get title shots off of losses or long layoffs or as stand bys?

 

[cmw43]

Don't know if he'd be champ but he'd certainly be contending for the title.

Also I think old fat Sergei Kharitonov would still murk most of the UFC top 10.

 

[faustian]

Lmao at Cain still ranked with 1 fight in the last 30 months

 

[executionermma]

If Rankings matter, how do fighters get title shots off of losses or long layoffs or as stand bys?

The ones that got titleshot of loses were #1 or #2, so yeah that's just another proof of rankings being important.
And i didn't get the stand by argument, it happens because of injuries etc to save events, and the ones that receive a chance are usually top 3-8, you won't see Gian Villante fighting DC if Volkan gets injured.

 

[Emjay]

The ones that got titleshot of loses were #1 or #2, so yeah that's just another proof of rankings being important.
And i didn't get the stand by argument, it happens because of injuries etc to save events, and the ones that receive a chance are usually top 3-8, you won't see Gian Villante fighting DC if Volkan gets injured.

Getting a title shot off of a loss and/or because you happen to be healthy at the time completely invalidates the meritocracy that rankings are supposed to create.

 

[executionermma]

#7

Could accept Up to #5

You'd rank Derrick Lewis higher? That's interesting. I know that's mma math but the guy he just dominated and stopped in second round beat Derrick Lewis when they fought. Many years ago tho.

 

[Arkridge]

HW is terrible. Minakov would probably be top 5 is Mark Hunt who has a .500 MMA career is still ranked in the top 5 in 2017.

 

[pride_is_back]

He would have derailed the Ngannou hype train for sure.