Kelvin is a better fighter at 185 than he was at 170

[Legendary]

A super common myth that gets repeated is that Kelvin would have been this world beater at 170 when in reality his best performances were at 185 by a longshot, and he fought better competition at 185.

At 170 he was 5-3

He beat Melancon, who retired due to kidney issues from weight cutting and was only 1-1 in the UFC.

Split decision over Rick Story, who was an average UFC fighter.

UD over Musoke, who proved to not be UFC level.

Beats Jake Ellenberger who was past his prime and on his way out.

Loses to Tyron despite missing weight by 10 pounds.

Loses to Neil Magny.

Beats an Old past prime shaking on the scales Hendricks.

If you can't beat Magny, you will never become champ.

When he recently fought Brady, he got smoked and it was uncompetitive.

At 185 he was wins over Uriah Hall, Tim Kennedy, Vitor, Bisping, Jacare, and had good fights with Izzy, Whittaker Cannonier.

Its not even a debate. Dana and others tried to force him into a weight class where they thought he would perform better because of his height, but he already was walking 190-200 back on TUF. The sport has normalized giant weight cuts.

 

[Sean Chowdhury]

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

Kelvin has too many weight misses to pretend like they just hounded him incessantly to get down to 170 while he sincerely wanted to fight at 185.

But I do agree with you that it's a myth he'd have been world champ at 170.
I'm a long time fan of his from his win in the TUF finals as the last guy picked for a team, on through to his big wins over Bisping Kennedy Vitor Hendricks etc. And he overperformed against Adesanya in such a memorable fight

His lack of discipline when compared to the elite of the elite would have always hindered him regardless

 

[USA!USA!]

Nice win.. but Bisping was completely washed and blind in there.

 

[TempleoftheDog]

Nice win.. but Bisping was completely washed and blind in there.

Plus he got beat up, and choked unconscious by GSP 2 weeks earlier, iirc. He never should have been cleared that soon after the GSP fight, imo.

 

[Hymen Crusher]

Kelvin should have been more serious but also he just has a shit body that makes him look like he doesn't care. He gets punished for both

 

[tritestill]

This is a good take TS. Since I usually tell you how horrible your takes are that I disagree with, I will highly commend you for this take. The notion of if he can make the weight, he'll be better there isn't always concrete. It's more situational and Kelvin was much better at 185 for his career.

 

[RockyLockridge]

No he had title hopes at 170 but NEVER at 185.

he absolutely could beat a fighter like colby, maia, usman, masvidal, rda, could have all lost to Gastelum. Woodley vs gastelum for example was VERY close.

but rockhold, yoel, weidman, whittaker, Izzy, Cannonier absolutely wouldn't be close, and gastelum would be a severe disadvantage in all those matchups

 

[Shaolin Alan]

Spitsbing never saw that punch coming

 

[Wreckless]

No he had title hopes at 170 but NEVER at 185.

he absolutely could beat a fighter like colby, maia, usman, masvidal, rda, could have all lost to Gastelum. Woodley vs gastelum for example was VERY close.

but rockhold, yoel, weidman, whittaker, Izzy, Cannonier absolutely wouldn't be close, and gastelum would be a severe disadvantage in all those matchups

The Izzy fight was incredibly close. So I wouldn't say he had no hopes.

After that it seems like he just gave up. The guy clearly struggles with discipline and has serious mindset issues.

 

[Thy]

i like that he likes food. that's about it.

 

[Thatlookinhiseyes]

No he had title hopes at 170 but NEVER at 185.

he absolutely could beat a fighter like colby, maia, usman, masvidal, rda, could have all lost to Gastelum. Woodley vs gastelum for example was VERY close.

but rockhold, yoel, weidman, whittaker, Izzy, Cannonier absolutely wouldn't be close, and gastelum would be a severe disadvantage in all those matchups

What do you mean never at 185? His fight against izzy was for the interm belt. How can u say he never had title hopes when he fought for a title there?

 

[RockyLockridge]

What do you mean never at 185? His fight against izzy was for the interm belt. How can u say he never had title hopes when he fought for a title there?

you have a good point, but outside of that flash performance that was a loss still His fights at welterweight were against mostly aged fighters on their way out, they guys coming up behind were too much for him. he might have been able to touch, but never ever grasp would maybe be more accurate.

 

[DiazSlap]

A super common myth that gets repeated is that Kelvin would have been this world beater at 170 when in reality his best performances were at 185 by a longshot, and he fought better competition at 185.

At 170 he was 5-3

He beat Melancon, who retired due to kidney issues from weight cutting and was only 1-1 in the UFC.

Split decision over Rick Story, who was an average UFC fighter.

UD over Musoke, who proved to not be UFC level.

Beats Jake Ellenberger who was past his prime and on his way out.

Loses to Tyron despite missing weight by 10 pounds.

Loses to Neil Magny.

Beats an Old past prime shaking on the scales Hendricks.

If you can't beat Magny, you will never become champ.

When he recently fought Brady, he got smoked and it was uncompetitive.

At 185 he was wins over Uriah Hall, Tim Kennedy, Vitor, Bisping, Jacare, and had good fights with Izzy, Whittaker Cannonier.

Its not even a debate. Dana and others tried to force him into a weight class where they thought he would perform better because of his height, but he already was walking 190-200 back on TUF. The sport has normalized giant weight cuts.

 

[DiazSlap]

 

[TITS]

UFC seems intent on making him fight this bum Joe Pyfer. Hopefully Kelvin starches Cryfer and maybe the UFC will give him one more crack at a top contender, but it's looking a little grim, if he manages to lose to that scrub he should probably retire.

 

[Xoleth]

A super common myth that gets repeated is that Kelvin would have been this world beater at 170 when in reality his best performances were at 185 by a longshot, and he fought better competition at 185.

At 170 he was 5-3

He beat Melancon, who retired due to kidney issues from weight cutting and was only 1-1 in the UFC.

Split decision over Rick Story, who was an average UFC fighter.

UD over Musoke, who proved to not be UFC level.

Beats Jake Ellenberger who was past his prime and on his way out.

Loses to Tyron despite missing weight by 10 pounds.

Loses to Neil Magny.

Beats an Old past prime shaking on the scales Hendricks.

If you can't beat Magny, you will never become champ.

When he recently fought Brady, he got smoked and it was uncompetitive.

At 185 he was wins over Uriah Hall, Tim Kennedy, Vitor, Bisping, Jacare, and had good fights with Izzy, Whittaker Cannonier.

Its not even a debate. Dana and others tried to force him into a weight class where they thought he would perform better because of his height, but he already was walking 190-200 back on TUF. The sport has normalized giant weight cuts.

Meh

I can say it otherwise

Comes to UFC undefeated

Wins 3 fights

Loses a split decision vs Woodley, who just ran from him

Beats Nate at MW

Loses a split decision vs Magny - many saw it as a draw

Beats Hendricks

Beats Vitor at MW

Technically, Kelvin was unbeaten at WW during that time because split decisions shouldn't really count, unless they are stupid split decisions like Chito vs Cory, may God Almighty fuck those judges.

But seriously now, I do agree with you.
He had more quality fights at MW... he also had more fights at MW.
People are saying that he is just too short for MW and that he should have stayed at WW with a proper nutrition.
We'll never know... he basically had everything. Great chin, good cardio, very fast hands, KO power, good wrestling, good fight IQ.

 

[Joshua8531]

Nice win.. but Bisping was completely washed and blind in there.

Wahhhhhhhhh.

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

No he had title hopes at 170 but NEVER at 185.

he absolutely could beat a fighter like colby, maia, usman, masvidal, rda, could have all lost to Gastelum. Woodley vs gastelum for example was VERY close.

but rockhold, yoel, weidman, whittaker, Izzy, Cannonier absolutely wouldn't be close, and gastelum would be a severe disadvantage in all those matchups

Could you imagine Gastelum vs DDP or Kelvin vs Poatan at MW. Those guys are huge and the fights wouldn't be competitive. As you said, Kelvin could've been in the mix at WW but never had a chance to get near a title at MW.

 

[Kenny Powerth]

But he's 5'7" and chubby

No business at MW