Is Maldonado really that low-quality an opponent?

Jamie Thomson

Jamie Thomson

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I won't use the word "can" because I think it's completely ridiculous, no-one who steps into a ring is a can.

Anyway, I took a bit of time out from watching MMA a while ago and I think it was during this time Maldonado was fighting, so I have no idea who he is, other than being an ex-UFC fighter!

Can anyone recommend what fights I should watch of his to give me an idea of his style? Or give me a quick synopsis of the guy? Which currently active fighters would you compare him to in terms of level of competition?
 
Best representation of his style, and his upside, is his fight vs Glover Texeira.

Not much of a style but has a puncher's chance and almost KO'd Glover.

As to fighting Fedor... Well, he's better than Jaideep Singh, I guess. I don't expect anything from Fedor anymore.
 
Boxer, keeps distance and goes for the body. That's about it.

Fedor is just going to take him down and sub him.
 
He's a fighter who was basically a journeyman at the weight class below, who was known for taking an unusual amount of punishment before being KO'd viciously in a heavyweight fight.
Just imagine a less fat current Roy Nelson with slightly better hands
 
He is a mid-tier LHW, that turns him on a low-tier HW (he hasn't the KO power or the speed to put him at mid-tier HW)

If they were choose a Maldonado's LHW level guy from HW, I would be ok with that
 
Hes always been a guy to me who should have been fighting at MW all along.
 
qw3rty said:
He is a mid-tier LHW, that turns him on a low-tier HW (he hasn't the KO power or the speed to put him at mid-tier HW)

If they were choose a Maldonado's LHW level guy from HW, I would be ok with that
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This, the weight class has a lot to do with it. It would be like Anderson silva asking the UFC for matt riddle
 
He isn't even that great of a LHW but I wouldn't have been disappointed had they chosen a HW of his caliber as Fedor's next opponent. At HW, Maldonado is a can.
 
He is a low level opponent for Fedor...but so what? A year ago we didn't think Fedor was ever going to fight again and he was the GOAT. If you think he's just back to make some easy money then don't watch his fights if that bothers you.

His current run doesn't matter to his legacy unless he goes on to become the best HW yet again which will serve to strengthen the legacy he already has, or if he goes and gets popped with roids or something which will call his past in question.

Fedor can fight Maldonado's until he's grey...it doesn't matter one way or another at this point. It's up to you whether you want to watch or not. Fedor fans will still enjoy watching Fedor fight.

I'll never blame him for not going to the UFC with how Dana White conducted himself over the years. Business or not. Remember when Dana strong armed all the sponsors like RVCA, Affliction, and Tapout with expulsion from the UFC if they sponsored Fedor? Remember when Fedor had to be sponsored by his opponent because of that? That's not to mention all the shit talk, revisionism, and lies from Dana over the years. The fact that Fedor still teases that he would go to UFC should be hope enough. It certainly more than the UFC deserves from Fedor. I personally would refuse to work for Dana after everything if i was Fedor.
 
Maldonado was part of Big Nogs camp. He trained with JDS and the Nog brothers before Nog retired. He's 22-0 as a boxer with 21 KO's. He's fought at HW recently. That's why he was chosen as an opponent for Fedor... and because there's no one available that would give Fedor a challenge. No org or fighter has came out and said they wanted to take that fight but were turned down...

He's currently ranked #37 at LHW by Fight Matrix, and his highest rank was 28th.

With that said, Fabio has virtually no chance of winning, apart from a freak injury. The fight is only useful as a measuring stick.

Fabio's a boxer, he's got a very good chin, he puts on entertaining fights. He has some wrestling and BJJ skills obviously, he was trained by Big Nog. But that's about it. He's slow, he won't surprise you with any flashy moves. His chin probably won't hold up against Fedor, his wrestling and BJJ isn't a threat to Fedor.

It'll be fun though, if it stays on the feet.
 
RedCansLoom16 said:
Hes always been a guy to me who should have been fighting at MW all along.
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To me he was a chubby blown up WW. Folks are oddly hesitant to suggest anything lower then 185. If someone is legit chubby at a weight class then 1 drop down won't fix it.
 
Considering he lost to Joey Beltran and was unjustly given the win, yes.
 
Kingz said:
His current run doesn't matter to his legacy unless he goes on to become the best HW yet again which will serve to strengthen the legacy he already has, or if he goes and gets popped with roids or something which will call his past in question.
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So his fights only counts if they make him look good?
ALL your fights count towards your legacy or none.
You cant have the pie and eat it too.
Fedor is an active fighter making millions (?) a fight sure they count.
 
Its not that he's poor, its just the supposed best HW of all time should be fighting MUCH better competition.
 
The guy said he was injured didn't he?

But he was like "Fuck it, it's just Fedor, I'll fight anyway"

Fedor's stock has never been lower and it breaks my heart
 
Jamie Thomson said:
Hands like JDS? Or more big hitter like Nelson/Hunt?
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You definitely have the wrong idea about Maldonado. He isn't a big hitter and his hands are no where near as good as JDS. He's a volume striker with decent bodywork and cardio. He doesn't actually have much power though and his defense is poor.
 
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