How would prime GSP, Jones and Silva do in their respective divisions today?

[mkt]

I’m sure all three would be champs, I’m sure Jones would be just as dominant. Anderson has an easier path at MW with no elite wrestlers in the top 10. GSP would unquestionably have the toughest hill to climb, I’m sure he’d get the belt and some title defenses but the next crop of WW’s is no joke. Guys like Shavkat, Khamzat, Rinat, etc would be huge threats because they embrace wrestling and have fast accurate one shot KO power.

I don't think we'll ever see Khamzat at WW again, though. He did fight Hendricks who's like the American version of those guys with strong wrestling, huge KO power and pretty decent/diverse striking. Granted it was a close and some think Hendricks won. But that was after GSP started having ACL injuries/surgeries. He wasn't the same fighter who destroyed Fitch and BJ/Koscheck in rematches...but still managed to win his last 4 or 5 fights at WW (Hendricks, Diaz, Condit, Shields).

 

[markantony20]

Would they be champion? How many title defenses would they be able to get? Do you see any of the top fighters in the division giving them trouble or beating them?

-Champion

-Champion

-Champion.

 

[Carrotman23]

I think LHW is an obvious lock for prime Jones, I think Leon would put up a much better fight then most here seem to think against GSP but I'd lean GSP (60-40),and I honestly think this version of Izzy would be able to beat prime Silva with a boring decision.

 

[mkt]

Realistically all three would dominate.


LHW and MW have regressed, WW has gotten far tougher but GSP back then was still a more complete fighter than most WW’s today.

You're definitely right about LHW and probably right about MW. Overall, I think MW strikers have gotten better but there's been a clear lack of top-notch grapplers since Chael/Weidman/Rockhold aged out. Basically it's been Brunson and an Olympian who barely used his wrestling (Yoel). And a 40-+ year old Anderson defended very well against Brunson's wrestling.

It would be fun to see some prime vs. prime matches between contenders, though. Chael/Hendo/TRTBelfort/Jacare vs. Cannonier/Strickland/Costa/etc.

 

[legcramp]

GSP vs. Prime Usman would be hell of a fight, GSP decisions Leon easily though. Anderson loses a decision to Izzy IMO. Jones would dominate still.

 

[MartinGibson86]

You have every right to be wrong if you would like. Hendricks was better in mma as well striking and wrestling until they put in the IV Ban.... he obviously didn't want to diet as seen in his later career. He was definitely shit at cutting weight.

He forgot how to strike and wrestle after the IV ban? Rick Story outwrestled him pre usada and pre IV ban. As did Brenneman and Kos. Martys never been outwrestled


Kamaru has title fight finishes via striking, Hendricks doesnt.

Keep going

 

[TerrorTimmy]

lol these usada jokes
i havent seen any loss coming from usada in his resume
the only fighter that wiped out 2 generations of WORLD CLASS fighters
dominated pre usada
dominated usada era
you see fighters like fedor looked like a monster in a PED org like pride
but look like average when fighting in a drug tested org like strikeforce
his fans claim his out of his prime by the age of 32
in reality drug testing ruined him
thats a good example

Cool story bro

 

[orca]

Cool story bro

your favorite goat candidates resume would look like trash if u compare it to jones bro

 

[Mind Mine]

Yes. The legendary wrestler that is RDA can land 3 takedowns and over 2 minutes of control time on Colby but it’s a fact that GSP poses ZeRo grappling threat.

Colby good point with the RDA fight but to be fair I don’t think anyone on earth thought RDA would be spamming td’s with Colby. I highly doubt TD defense was even a thing in the training camp for that fight. I damn sure know a TD threat is infinitely more expected with GSP

 

[RebelKing]

Josh Koscheck is a solid fighter bro but let’s be real he is a fighter with a skillset and ability that would not have him at top 10 ww today in his prime. There really isn’t anything I can think of Koscheck does better than Usman. Koscheck can’t even be compared to fighters like Woodley much less Usman. The game evolved and WW is one of the most evident divisions

You don't think prime Koscheck could beat Thompson at 7, Neal at 8, Brady at 9, and Luque at 10? I do. He had a great power double back then, and on any given day could beat several fighters in the top 10.

 

[Mind Mine]

You don't think prime Koscheck could beat Thompson at 7, Neal at 8, Brady at 9, and Luque at 10? I do. He had a great power double back then, and on any given day could beat several fighters in the top 10.

Neal simply has too good of hands for Koscheck to do much else but spam TD’s not likely. Thompson I simply don’t remember him having terrible TD defense and every second on the feet he is getting PIECED THE FUCK UP BADLY. Brady I need to analyze and Luque would be his best bet to squeak into top 10 barely

 

[RebelKing]

Neal simply has too good of hands for Koscheck to do much else but spam TD’s not likely. Thompson I simply don’t remember him having terrible TD defense and every second on the feet he is getting PIECED THE FUCK UP BADLY. Brady I need to analyze and Luque would be his best bet to squeak into top 10 barely

Interesting. I think the older Thompson of late has shown a decline in take down defense. I think the Koscheck that beat Daley and Anthony Johnson could beat Neal, Brady, Luque IF he fights intelligently. He had a great power double when he used it, but fell in love with his hands. I think he hovers around the 6-9 ranked range nowadays depending on matchups. Id like to see it!

 

[ThunderStruck]

Neal simply has too good of hands for Koscheck to do much else but spam TD’s not likely. Thompson I simply don’t remember him having terrible TD defense and every second on the feet he is getting PIECED THE FUCK UP BADLY. Brady I need to analyze and Luque would be his best bet to squeak into top 10 barely

Kos would beat Magny with ease. You're a newb.

 

[rtodd]

In the USDA era UFC, GSP would definitely have the advantage.

Half the guys he fought against were either using PED's, shady TRT exemptions or IV's.

Jones and Silva were both busted with PED's.

Jones would still be king but GSP was more impressive to me considering he was accused of juicing left right and center and was NEVER popped. Meanwhile virtually every one of his opponents who accused him has tested hot.

Including Hendricks who never made weight after they banned IV use and refused to test for steroids after GSP said he'd be happy to if he did as well.

 

[Mind Mine]

Interesting. I think the older Thompson of late has shown a decline in take down defense. I think the Koscheck that beat Daley and Anthony Johnson could beat Neal, Brady, Luque IF he fights intelligently. He had a great power double when he used it, but fell in love with his hands. I think he hovers around the 6-9 ranked range nowadays depending on matchups. Id like to see it!

Basically the caliber of fighter GSP was fighting over the belt in his prime would be fringe top 10 today or not even top 10. No way his reign or record would look the same. The game evolved too much in that division