Khabib is a good barometer for MMA-IQ

[Dionysian]

This thread is a response to all the LNP accusations that get tossed around. I'll be open with my angles in this:
1. Yes I'm a fan
2. Yes I've been critical of point-fighting/the weakness of unified rules in the past

This thread is to consolidate those two positions. First off, yes, I am a guy that criticized GSP for being a rule-exploiter. You know the TDs against Shields in the last 10 seconds of a round were done to earn points to steal rounds while simultaneously having no risk of engaging Shields on the ground. You know the refusal to pass guard against a much weaker ground fighter in Hardy was to rack up points to minimize risk rather than fight effectively/attack a guy at his weakest point. Point fighting is easy to see when you understand the rules vs what you'd logically do to damage/finish/beat up an opponent if that was the goal.

Khabib has nothing to do with that and has never done that once. Smashing the fuck out of someone with grappling because you are the superior grappler =/= point fighting or LNP (the most common grappling equivalent of point fighting). Smashing someone isn't a Jacksonesque exploitation of the judging criteria or a BS way to whore "significant" strikes that are clearly insignificant, it is an exploitation of having a superior skillset vs the other fighter.

The difference between the two (point fighting vs superior grappler) is pretty clear and those that moan about people who are superior grapplers TEND to disproportionately be ignorant whiners. Not ALL, since obviously your taste in styles is your own... but disproportionately more whiners yeah.

 

[Leinster Rugby]

You make some good points. I love khabib's style, fights and interviews and I don't give a bollocks if others don't - each to their own!

 

[mmacrisis]

For the most part if think people are just tired of hearing how great Khabib is but yet he can't get through a camp without injury. Let him destroy this last minute substitution and then take on a top-5 guy, only then will we see if he really is a 'Great' fighter, until then it doesn't matter what anyone thinks or says.

 

[VroomyJeeps]

How was taking Hardy down done for points? I remember him trying to rip Hardy's arm off.

 

[KeepItRealist]

30-27 Tibau.

 

[lfd0311]

For the most part if think people are just tired of hearing how great Khabib is but yet he can't get through a camp without injury. Let him destroy this last minute substitution and then take on a top-5 guy, only then will we see if he really is a 'Great' fighter, until then it doesn't matter what anyone thinks or says.

You mean like the mauling he put on the guy who is now the champ?

 

[lfd0311]

And GSP did put a serious beat down on Hardy, there is no denying that.

 

[HHJ]

Khabib tosses dudes at the ring lights with relentless russian abandon. Dagestani disdain.You can tell at some point abel trujillo wanted to start crying at being man raped so profuciously. But there was nothing he could do to stop it.

 

[HHJ]

"the fuck you think your doin bro! stay over there till i come get ya"

 

[HHJ]

 

[FrancisBergoglio]

Khabib tosses dudes at the ring lights with relentless russian abandon. Dagestani disdain.You can tell at some point abel trujillo wanted to start crying at being man raped so profuciously. But there was nothing he could do to stop it.

It was impressive to see how he broke him mentally. Khabib's grappling is very interesting to watch.

 

[HHJ]

This is what people are calling lay and pray because they are THAT gotten to by his incredible wrestling.

 

[electricfuneral]

i'd love to see khabib in a 5 rounder.

 

[Matthew Fedler]

He is one of my favourite fighters to watch. I was also a fan of GSP and Sean Sherk, so take that as you will. I think I prefer the grinders because they turn the fight into a battle of wills, as opposed to skill. Not to discredit technical skill, I just think that toughness is a more admirable trait. At this level you need a respectable skill set for toughness to even become a factor.

 

[Shammon]

That RDA throw gif just exemplifies the level of brilliance that Khabib displays in the grappling department. The way he faked the first throw to get RDA to step over with his left foot so that he can hook it and throw him. Masterclass.

 

[Ar145984]

Fucking casuals know nothing about elite grappling

 

[Dionysian]

How was taking Hardy down done for points? I remember him trying to rip Hardy's arm off.

In the sense that GSP's skills vs Hardy's skill made it so GSP could have passed guard, but he often chose not to (talking generally, yeah I remember the armbar) even though skill-wise that was his most obvious route to smash/finish/abuse Hardy

It's a weird catch-22. I respect GSP's elite skillset enough to know he could have not taken the conservative route (so admire his skill enough to rationalize a criticism of his style). But who cares about me, I'm just a nobody who rolls for fun and GSP is the GOAT WW. Just voicing my opinion.

Anyway thanks for the Khabib gifs guys. That plus the whole RDA fight are wonderful to watch. If people consider THAT lnp then maybe they should stick to kickboxing...

 

[The ScorpioN]

This thread (specifically the Hardy/GSP reference) reminded me of this video.

A true classic.



I want to see Hardy back KOing fools with that left hook. Maybe after Nate and Frankie dispatch Conor's remaining hype, we might get to see Hardy vs Conor in England or something.

 

[Dionysian]

This thread (specifically the Hardy/GSP reference) reminded me of this video.

A true classic.



I want to see Hardy back KOing fools with that left hook. Maybe after Nate and Frankie dispatch Conor's remaining hype, we might get to see Hardy vs Conor in England or something.

tbh I'd be shocked if Conor ever fights at WW again after this next fight

 

[KlNG]

People seriously call Khabib a lay n prayer?

What the fuck?