Let's stop calling Merab the Bantamweight GOAT now

[mirellale]

Yan just exposed the truth some of us knew: Merab is a cardio merchant with a chin. The guy is a pure system fighter. If he can't spam 40 takedowns and drown you, he has absolutely zero Plan B. Yan just stuffed something like 22 out of 25 TD shots and the second that wrestling threat was neutralized, he looked completely lost. His striking is mid at best, he throws volume pillow punches just to mask his entries but he has no actual stopping power to earn respect on the feet.

You shouldn't have Merab in the GOAT conversation when two guys exist who did it better with way more skill. Cruz cleared out the WEC and beat DJ, Urijah Faber, and T.J. But if you value absolute peak performance, it’s T.J, he took the souls of killers like Barao and Cody in their absolute primes. He didn’t just outwork people. He outclassed them with skill, creativity and finishing ability. Merab just got exposed for having no Plan B once the takedown failed. Prime Cruz would have Merab diving at air for 25 minutes. Prime TJ is an even worse matchup. He matches the wrestling but actually has the KO power to sleep Merab for those desperate, sloppy entries.

 

[chiefwiggum]

Goat is determined by the quality of opposition they faced and beat.

Merab beat much better fighters. I’m not even a fan of Merab. Yiu wait until a career is over for them to be in the conversation unless it’s a guy like jones and he’s a rare case.

 

[Killer Kadoogan]

i still think he deserves whatever accolades. if they say fighter of the year, then do it. so many fights, dominant fights, took out a nurmagomedov, etc.

yan had an amazing fight.

it was a great fight.

 

[Mr.Maelstrom]

35 is too stacked to maybe be sure we've had any true goat there yet? TJ Cruz and Aljo have claims.
Lets say for arguments sake he was as fair a pick as anyone else, how about now?

 

[2004 account]

Goat hugger perhaps

 

[bjjwar]

Nah, Merab is still the Goat BW. Dude managed to get all these wins while being a mediocre striker, mediocre grappler, basically terrible in eveything related to fighting. Its impressive!

 

[TITS]

No. Let's not.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Goat is determined by the quality of opposition they faced and beat.

Merab beat much better fighters. I’m not even a fan of Merab. Yiu wait until a career is over for them to be in the conversation unless it’s a guy like jones and he’s a rare case.

How you beat them matters, this isn’t a ball sport, the context means as much as the score.

Merab is certainly in the conversation, but it’s a lot more of a spirited debate now.

Crazy that Merab’s best win is now arguably Yan.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Resume says different.

 

[DrRodentia]

He probably is. His dominance is pretty well unmatched. The loss tonight doesn't change that. He even beat the guy that beat him tonight

 

[Nugo]

He cleared division. sooner or later everyone loses.

He was most active champ defending title four time isnt easy.

He hasnt ducked any of opponents, so i my opinion he is goat

 

[Karate Kid]

ah yes the post right recency bias fresh off a loss.

nope he's still the GOAT BW and by a distance sorry.

 

[MeganFan]

I got TJ. Barao was on his way to becoming a BW GOAT, and TJ completely derailed that and staked his own legacy. Beat prime Garbrandt twice.

 

[IanMoone]

Yan should be in the conversation about all time great too

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

GOAT loophole exploiter, perhaps

 

[FriskyRandy]

He cleared division. sooner or later everyone loses.

He was most active champ defending title four time isnt easy.

He hasnt ducked any of opponents, so i my opinion he is goat

How does this post have anything to do with the criteria of being a "goat"?

 

[SalvadorAllende]

Merab is light years above Cruz. His body of work alone shits all over Cruz record.

Cruz was a mediocre pillowfighter with a padded record full of jabronis, flyweights and a controversial decision over an emotional TJ.

Merab fights in a way deeper division.

GOAT loophole exploiter, perhaps

Oh.. like Cruz didnt exploit pointfighting rules fighting like a coward with his silly punches that hurt nobody. He does not have a legit finish against anybody worth mentioning. Merab sub of OMalley is a better than any finish of Cruz career.

 

[chinarice]

I would say he is but man I would have loved to see prime Dillashaw vs Merab

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

I would say he is but man I would have loved to see prime Dillashaw vs Merab

Merab wouldn't have loved to have seen that match up

 

[Mammothman]

1. Merab
2. Cruz
3. TJ
4. Yan
5. Sterling