Lower-Ranked Fighters who can expose today’s champs

[Tweak896]

You’re making the same case I did with Bo, Khamzat’s whole aura collapses the second he’s across from someone he can’t ragdoll at will.

The problem with Robocop is I don’t buy his listed age for a second. There’s no way he’s really 33. Brazillian birth cert syndrome. And if he’s actually pushing late 30s, there’s no chance he has the durability to topple Khamzat over five.

True he looks way older. Honestly think Khamzat has cardio to melt him ironically after everyone who doubted his cardio. Also Robocop hasn't been very on point getting the KO lately. However would be a fun fight to see Khamzat start brawling again with Robocop. Guess RDR could substitute Robocop, but his striking is pretty strange to me.

 

[Eric Silva 2.0]

Besides the obvious stylistic nightmare like Bo Nickal vs Khamzat which I have previously discussed at length (elite wrestling plus the (b)overhand, and no, a pair of shorts doesn’t change what would happen in singlets) there are a few other matchups where I think a lower ranked guy has the answer to the champs question.

Michael Chandler vs. Ilia Topuria. Everyone knows Ilia’s been dodging, at least for now (I think he will fight him eventually) Arman Tsarukyan. Chandler’s cut from the same cloth only bigger, stronger, and more dogged. I’ll admit Chandler might have too much mileage now, but a few fights ago. I’d take him over Topuria. He’s the type to just big brother Ilia, impose grit and chaos, and force a dogfight Topuria doesn’t want. I do admit maybe ilia could catch him but I don’t think he does and I think Chandler deep waters him 9/10 times. Before you argue with this go watch Topuria vs. Mitchell round 1.

Zahabi vs. Merab – Zahabi’s calm, technical style is the exact antidote to Merab’s Energizer Bunny routine. Crisp counter boxing, flawless fundamentals, Firas/GSP gameplanning. Merab’s whole approach collapses when he’s running headfirst into jabs and check hooks all night long. I don’t think Zahabi will get tired either, I’ve heard he’s known to have that “third lung” stamina.

 

[Ibm]

Paddy

 

[richardjohnson]

Chandler being a bad matchup for Topuria might be one of the most ridiculous things I’ve read in awhile. Chandler’s chin is gone and his fight IQ is terrible, I think Ilia knocks him out with relative ease.

 

[wolffanghameha]

Interesting topic. No way on Chandler. He's not going to wrestle and would get hit a bunch. Hard to take those shots from Ilia.

I think Fiziev would be more of a problem for Topuria than most of the guy ranked above Fiziev. Tough to take down, can fight at kicking range, powerful strikes, fast and good positioning so he's difficult to counter and Ilia may have a harder time closing him down having to deal with that power, not sure he's so easy to hit without dirty boxing.

 

[Caio]

That big dude who puts vaseline could probably beat te current Jamahal Hill.

 

[Plissken]

If Rodolfo had better cardio he'd be a problem for Chimaev if the latter chose to wrestle and not just stand and trade.

 

[BjPenn2017]

lol Michael Chandler?

Michael Johnson would prob KO ilia though

 

[Fled Nanders]

lol Michael Chandler?

Michael Johnson would prob KO ilia though

Yeah exactly and honestly I was actually intending to include Michael Johnson in the OP. Thanks for bringing it up.

People laugh, but his career is the definition of a live underdog. The 50/50 record is proof that on any given night he can beat anyone.

Sure, he can also lose to anyone, but that’s what makes him dangerous. If it’s one of his “on” nights, there’s not much Ilia can do about it.

 

[Sms_productions713]

If I can pick him to wrestle instead of just strike, I would love to see how a prime Koscheck would do vs Islam

 

[Gregoire1]

Jailton over Asp
Murzakanov or Reyes over Ank
Costa, Caio or Fluffy over Borz
a lot of fighters over JDM (fluke champ)
nobody over Ilia
a lot of fighters over old Volk
Vini over Merab

 

[Limeade]

Khamzat is a bad match up for Bo. He can't outwrestle him in mma, Khamzat can knee, uppercut, and trip Bo down, and he has more striking tools.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

Khamzat would beat the fuck out of Bo Nickal lmfao

 

[Fled Nanders]

Khamzat is a bad match up for Bo. He can't outwrestle him in mma, Khamzat can knee, uppercut, and trip Bo down, and he has more striking tools.

There is no such thing as MMA wrestling, it’s just wrestling. GSP in a singlet is still a good wrestler.

 

[Benoitthegr8]

Bo likely believes that he’s a legitimate contender, nothing wrong with positive self appraisal… do not think that his fights against BearJew or De Ridder are the norm here going forward, actually Im pretty sure that MTB and the coaches at ATT have been purposely having Bo hold back his top form.

 

[Limeade]

There is no such thing as MMA wrestling, it’s just wrestling. GSP in a singlet is still a good wrestler.

You never trained takedowns with strikes?

It changes your distance, entries, and hand fighting.

 

[Fled Nanders]

You never trained takedowns with strikes?

It changes your distance, entries, and hand fighting.

The only reason people think “MMA wrestling” is a separate thing is because so many American wrestlers come into the UFC and decide they want to be brawlers instead. They stop leaning on their base, get clipped a few times, and then everyone acts like wrestling doesn’t carry over.

But the guys who actually stuck with it Koscheck, Hendricks, Usman, Cormier, Askren (pre- knees), all dominated. It wasn’t “MMA wrestling,” it was just wrestling. The skillset works the same in shorts as in a singlet.

The myth of “MMA wrestling” is really just the myth of wrestlers choosing to box.

Bo will be a killer he’s just a little gun shy.

And to answer your question no I’ve never trained takedowns with strikes.

 

[SuperAlly]

Rough translation

"I didn't get enough attention from my previous childish troll thread, so I'm posting basically the same thread again"

 

[Slapjit]

Mark this words haanji this strongwaist indiwidual will defeat Da Hawaiian Hitman one day becoming SHW slap dangal champion



Greatest brace defence ever I have seen

Also much better in thappad follow-threw comparing with all other shw no other warrior able to rotate like this in the weight-class

 

[mkess101]

Jean Silva will fuck Volk up, and Ruffy and Ilia would be a banging fight. I don't know that Ruffy wins, but I think it would be fireworks for as long as it lasts.

Silva vs this version of Volk immediately was my first thought too.