Jose Aldo Jr was 3 division UFC champion material.

[MMAcolyte]

If GSP says he could've cut to 155 at his retired older age, he could've beaten Bendo, Frankie or Pettis. And had as much of a chance to beat Silva, as Silva had at beating Jones.

Silva also could've maybe been 3 weight champ.

Frankie could've probably beaten Barao & pettis, but we saw Aldo was a pretty strong counter for him, maybe would've done better against Holloway? Not sure how much better Holloway's TDD is.

If they had lower weight classes at the time, BJ in his prime maybe could have.

All I can really think of at the moment.

GSP had a way, way, waaayyy better chance of beating Silva than Silva did Jones. Both GSP and Jones are bad stylistic matchups for Silva, but Jones also has a significant size advantage there. Silva would have 0 chance. Whereas against GSP Silva had a big length/height/range advantage that definitely would have made things interesting. That combined with Silva's jiu jitsu pedigree could have made life difficult for Georges from top position. I really wish we would have gotten to see that fight.

 

[ironfist05]

Pettis was too marketable. Dana is an asshole, but he ain't no dummy (most of the time). He protects his cash cows until they're no longer making him cash.

yup, its' why he told Aldo he had to vacate his 145 strap just to get a shot at the 155 title, but Conor could hold both at the same time with no issue.

 

[Coolkid666]

Aldo vs Pettis was booked like twice but I forgot what weight it was gonna be at

 

[Substance Abuse]

Aldo vs Pettis was booked like twice but I forgot what weight it was gonna be at

155. Dana told Aldo he had to drop his belt and couldn't be double champ. Aldo didn't agree.

 

[Megalodon]

Aldo vs Pettis was booked like twice but I forgot what weight it was gonna be at

Pettis wasn't champ yet when the fight was booked.

There was a strange turn of events where they gave Pettis an instant title shot at FW against Aldo at UFC 163, but then Pettis pulled out and Korean Zombie stepped in, but then like a couple of weeks later TJ Grant pulled out of his title shot against Bendo at UFC 164 and Pettis stepped in and won the title.

 

[GOAT.]

Benson Henderson was a bad motherfucker when he was champ. Actually a nightmare matchup for Aldo. Big dude, endless cardio, strong grappling. Aldo would have a hard time there.

Benson was very good but had super close fights with Edgar. Prime Aldo could have danced with him all night.

 

[Legendary]

The much smaller Frankie took Ben to a split decision. I do think would be hard of course, still I see Aldo replicating what Frankie did with his boxing but better imo

Frankie was a glorified point fighter who rarely put anyone in danger. Ben put the ass whoopin in the first fight and Dana gifted him a title shot because they love Frankie.

Also one fight doesn't erase everything Ben did. I still have him as #2 LW ever in terms of accomplishments.

 

[pankrat]

If GSP says he could've cut to 155 at his retired older age, he could've beaten Bendo, Frankie or Pettis. And had as much of a chance to beat Silva, as Silva had at beating Jones.

Silva also could've maybe been 3 weight champ.

Frankie could've probably beaten Barao & pettis, but we saw Aldo was a pretty strong counter for him, maybe would've done better against Holloway? Not sure how much better Holloway's TDD is.

If they had lower weight classes at the time, BJ in his prime maybe could have.

All I can really think of at the moment.

GSP had a way, way, waaayyy better chance of beating Silva than Silva did Jones. Both GSP and Jones are bad stylistic matchups for Silva, but Jones also has a significant size advantage there. Silva would have 0 chance. Whereas against GSP Silva had a big length/height/range advantage that definitely would have made things interesting. That combined with Silva's jiu jitsu pedigree could have made life difficult for Georges from top position. I really wish we would have gotten to see that fight.

Fighters would could have done it if given the right shots at the right time, and skip line passes:

Anderson 170, 185 , 205
Easiest path would be Hughes and Forest

GSP
Could have beaten numerous 155ers

Conor
People will hate me but he could have caught Robbie, who was shot after the back to back to back to back wars w Hendricks x2, Rory & Condit

Aldo
Frankie @ 155
Barao or Cody at 135

BJ ... If you count WEC Faber at 145

If GSP says he could've cut to 155 at his retired older age, he could've beaten Bendo, Frankie or Pettis. And had as much of a chance to beat Silva, as Silva had at beating Jones.

Silva also could've maybe been 3 weight champ.

Frankie could've probably beaten Barao & pettis, but we saw Aldo was a pretty strong counter for him, maybe would've done better against Holloway? Not sure how much better Holloway's TDD is.

If they had lower weight classes at the time, BJ in his prime maybe could have.

All I can really think of at the moment.

I doubt GSP's ability to succesfully make LWs. 15lbs of difference is a lot for a big WW in GSP.

 

[pankrat]

Frankie was a glorified point fighter who rarely put anyone in danger. Ben put the ass whoopin in the first fight and Dana gifted him a title shot because they love Frankie.

Also one fight doesn't erase everything Ben did. I still have him as #2 LW ever in terms of accomplishments.

He is no #2LW ever, man. If by accomplishments you mean on paper, like its means exactly the same to edge a controversial decision than finishing/outclassing your opponent then I guess he has a case.

Anyways Im was not trying to discredit Ben, he was a great fighter. Just saying that I think Aldo would have had a legit chance vs him, which is very impressive for a guy who is competing at BW.

 

[pankrat]

GSP had a way, way, waaayyy better chance of beating Silva than Silva did Jones. Both GSP and Jones are bad stylistic matchups for Silva, but Jones also has a significant size advantage there. Silva would have 0 chance. Whereas against GSP Silva had a big length/height/range advantage that definitely would have made things interesting. That combined with Silva's jiu jitsu pedigree could have made life difficult for Georges from top position. I really wish we would have gotten to see that fight.

Of course GSP has a better chance of beating Silva than Silva did Jones.

- Jones is one of the biggest LHWs
- Anderson is a former WW who actually fought at WW the same year he signed by UFC and became MW champ
- GSP is a big WW, him being able to compete at LW is pure speculation

 

[ironfist05]

Can't imagine him making 135 back then, he had issues making 145.

true, but apparently he didn't have a nutritionist back then, he would eat whatever he'd want and then just sweat out whatever he had to to make the weight. His cut to 135 was apparently the first time he'd ever had a nutritionist that can keep him on a dietary program.

 

[jeff7b9]

I doubt GSP's ability to succesfully make LWs. 15lbs of difference is a lot for a big WW in GSP.

Perhaps.
He seems to have lost a little bit of muscle in his late 30s. He would have had to lose muscle from his peak form to make 155.

Then again, we are talking about a hypothetical which should be far from easy to attain.

 

[pankrat]

Perhaps.
He seems to have lost a little bit of muscle in his late 30s. He would have had to lose muscle from his peak form to make 155.

Then again, we are talking about a hypothetical which should be far from easy to attain.

I mean, in case of Aldo - or Silva - we dont have to especulate about whether if they can compete or not at BW and MW respectively. They have proved it, at the highest level.
Whether if they would be willing to fight at LW and LHW respectively, I'd say we can affirm they were. If the money is right, obviously.

GSP would need to make a tougher cut than them to make 155, that's for sure. If he could still be competitive, its especulation

 

[Dirty Frank]

Shoulda woulda coulda

 

[usernamee]

That was back when Dana denied Aldo the chance unless he dropped his own belt.

Nowadays it's win the title and then fight anybody in any weightclass as long as they can make good numbers

 

[sonhow]

Benson Henderson was a bad motherfucker when he was champ. Actually a nightmare matchup for Aldo. Big dude, endless cardio, strong grappling. Aldo would have a hard time there.

Bendo is one of my all time favorites but if Frankie's speed gave him big time problems what would Aldo do?

Also arguably Aldo's best trait was his magnificent takedown defense. Bendo outwrestled Diaz badly but other than that his championship reign was all about him slightly outworking his opponents to close decisions.

 

[pankrat]

That was back when Dana denied Aldo the chance unless he dropped his own belt.

Nowadays it's win the title and then fight anybody in any weightclass as long as they can make good numbers

I prefer the current approach tbh, even if still perverted by money.
A champion challenging the champ from the weightclass above has always been something to admire in combat sports. Too bad Aldo got denied of that.

 

[usernamee]

I prefer the current approach tbh, even if still perverted by money.
A champion challenging the champ from the weightclass above has always been something to admire in combat sports. Too bad Aldo got denied of that.

Sure, I agree unless there are legitimate contenders that should fight for the title, or at least one really clear number one contender.

 

[HP_Nut]

If GSP says he could've cut to 155 at his retired older age, he could've beaten Bendo, Frankie or Pettis. And had as much of a chance to beat Silva, as Silva had at beating Jones.

Silva also could've maybe been 3 weight champ.

Frankie could've probably beaten Barao & pettis, but we saw Aldo was a pretty strong counter for him, maybe would've done better against Holloway? Not sure how much better Holloway's TDD is.

If they had lower weight classes at the time, BJ in his prime maybe could have.

All I can really think of at the moment.

I would favour GSP over Anderson to capture MW, but LW isn't for GSP. GSP walks around at about 190 for his WW fights, but even at 190, he's in great shape with very little fat. When LWs talk about walking around at 190, they're not in GSP's terrific shape, they're not at optimal in cage fight weight. Look at GSP's weigh-ins at 170, the man does not easily cut another 15 lbs from that figure. GSP's optimal weight class for performance is 170, he still could've beaten Anderson despite being undersized, but cutting to 155 would greatly compromise his performance, IMO.

 

[kingmob6]

In Theory I agree with this statement. Both LW & BW were considerably weaker years ago.