If Merab beat Umar he will be the main candidate for GOAT of the division

[RockyLockridge]

If he can tie Aljo's three defense streak or break it I would agree with you. As is he has the longest win streak in the division's history IIRC, at least the UFC BW division.

Yeah but lets also remember that title defenses aren't everything, His path to the title was hard he had to fight Aldo, Yan and Morales before he even GOT to a title shot.

Sterling May have 3 defense, but the yan fight is contentious. TJ was Half a man, And cejudo had a 4 year layoff. Again, While keeping all things fair, Sterling had a very difficult path to the title as well. Having to fight 3 top 5 fighters before a title shot in Riveria, Sandhagen and munhoz

 

[Islam Imamate]

Yeah but lets also remember that title defenses aren't everything, His path to the title was hard he had to fight Aldo, Yan and Morales before he even GOT to a title shot.

Sterling May have 3 defense, but the yan fight is contentious. TJ was Half a man, And cejudo had a 4 year layoff

I agree, just saying if he ties the record there is no doubt as he would have a longer win streak and hopefully more definitive title defenses.

 

[cold_spring_harbor]

I disagree, Randy Couture had tools to beat every one current LHW, including Pereira
The current LWH champion got a split decision victory against a 40 yr old who was finished by old Glover. Prime Glove had no chance against Davis, Johnson and Gustafsson

Pirme Liddell probably would lose only by Pereira nowadays. He won guys way better than Hill, Jiri, Ratik. Numberg...

Nice to see someone still rank Liddell and his skill set highly ..we can agree to disagree cheers

 

[dog y]

I'm not convinced about this theory "fighters today are better and more technically sound then past fighters". This depends on the division, the evoluition is not a natural rule

I can see many top past fighters beating top current fighters and becoming champion

Agree. Barão had a 33 or so win streak, and he was still finishing people left and right with spinny shit. That guy, with that confidence, that aura... That was impressive.

 

[mister piscadinha]

I mean I'm not trying to get into a debate with you, but I don't agree

IE
Tim Sylvia, multiple time UFC HW champion, there was talk on this very board that he was the GOAT, of course this was disputed by the pride fans ....
Tim Sylvia wouldn't be a top 20 HW today

Randy couture, multiple division UFC champion, wouldn't win a belt in any division today

Chuck Liddell(My favorite fighter) 4 time defending UFC LHW champion would probably be top 5 today but most certainly wouldn't be as dominant today as he was back then


I could go on and on

But the progression of the sport is extremely noticable especially if you have followed as long as I have

lol, current HW division is full of bar brawling blobs, tim sylvia would be top10
couture grapple fucks anyone in the current top5 LHW
chuck would be top5 today

 

[mister piscadinha]

merab may have the best resume in BW history

but in the future context wont matter, title defenses will

so he better beat umar and defense atleast more three times

or cruz will remain perceived as the greatest

 

[Xanzito]

Respectfully disagree.

As the customer, meaning — THE ONE WHO PAYS EVERYBODY — it flocking matters to me whether "I enjoyed" what I paid for.

If I don't enjoy a performer, I'm not can be paying to see that MF again.

If you want to pay to see people you don't enjoy seeing, that is your own money mismanagement, IMO.

.

I don't think anyone, except MAYBE Merab himself, is saying "oh boy, we have a Merab fight this saturday, gonna be a banger"

 

[Alpha_T83]

Merab is going to run into the same problem that Volkanovski ran into. He's 33 years old, and once he hits 35-36, age really starts to take its toll. And that problem statistically is worse the lower the weight limit.