I'm surprised at how far down the ladder Anderson's GOAT status has dropped

Doesn't anybody remember how highly people used to think of him in these forums? He was like Jesus to half of the guys on Sherdog...."The GOAT and it's not even close". Now, he hardly ever gets referenced. What's even worse, people have the audacity to compare his striking to Conor's. It's shocking really. I really miss his fights. He was an absolute killer and had the best striking in UFC history. He also had a jaw made of pure iron. My theory is that part of it's because a lot of the people who worshipped him are no longer active in Sherdog. But I could be wrong. Maybe it's just recency bias.

 

Anderson is the GOAT Middleweight and that's all anyone ever needs to know... Arguably the greatest of all time at any weight... Certainly his MW run was something incredible to watch.

He really was something special... The way he destroyed great fighters like they were nothing for years... My all time favourite UFC championship run.

 

USADA approved

 

Damn straight.

And the dick pills too.

 

He fell from grace when he popped for steroids. If GSP were to popped, he would also become a byword and a proverb.

 

If i could snap my fingers and magically inherit any MMA fighter evers skill set his would be the one i would want. Not the biggest or strongest, or toughest, but damn was he skilled. His boxing footwork, defense, his Thai clinch, his one punch power, kicks, elbows. ability off his back etc.

 

That's fucked up though, because Jones got a pass. I mean, as far as pure skill, Silva is better than someone like Jones. A much better fighter overall. He just doesn't have octopus arms.

 

It's sad how easily so many forget all this.

 

It was hard to deny him as the GOAT when you actually saw him fighting in his prime. Obviously GOAT in talent compared to GOAT legacy are completely different which is why his stock has dropped since.

 

And what about his fight with James Irvin? Holy shit. That was like something choreographed from a bad-ass ninja movie.

 

He ain't got a pass from me

 

1 Fedor
2 Gsp




--Dick pills tier disqualified--

 

Tends to happen when you keep getting caught cheating.

 

Is that a shoop?

 

He's the guy we hope Izzy turns into.

What other champ has people hoping a clone comes along?

 

Yes.

 

James Irvin is another favourite of mine...





He fell off sadly too...

 

No, it's a real pic.

 

Basically. If only for self defense purposes, the ability to make guys miss in the standup and control them via the clinch, knock them on their asses, are the most important skills you can have imo. Wrestling ability and BJJ are great but i don't want to go to the ground anywhere, be it on the street or on a mat.

For all the talk of the continued advancement of the relative skill of MMA fighters, i don't see anyone who has as advanced a skillset as he had.