Lower-Ranked Fighters who can expose today’s champs

Fled Nanders

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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.
 
Michael Chandler has one of the worst fight IQs in the game

Lets just hypothetically say he used his wrestling on Ilia and even 10/8 him in the first round, he would immediately start a slugfest in the 2nd round, why? No one knows why its just what he does.
 
Wait did I read that right ? You think Bo would beat Khamzat ?

Edit: I read the rest... You got me, nice one.

I know Khamzat isn’t double legging Bo. After that who knows?


Michael Chandler has one of the worst fight IQs in the game

Lets just hypothetically say he used his wrestling on Ilia and even 10/8 him in the first round, he would immediately start a slugfest in the 2nd round, why? No one knows why its just what he does.

This is a fair argument and yes I can accept this undermines my thesis.
 
This is not a great take. Those two fights are absolute smash jobs
 
Chandler has a 43% striking defense. One of the worst at the top of his division.
He would get caught so fast and so often.

I get the stilistic part of the other examples.

And Zahabi is just not good enough. He just lost to Aldo getting a hometown gift decision.
 
This is a pretty decent troll thread. I lol’d. Some of you actually took the bait. 😂
 
I'm going to ignore OP's fights. Maybe if Robocop had more cardio, he probably could be a MW Burns against Khamzat. Better low ranked fighters would be like Jean Silva over Volk. Prates or Morales over JDM. Used to have Van over Pantoja, but now he's ranked high. That's about all I have right now.
 
Tim Elliott could beat Pantoja
Crazy Bryce Mitchell could beat Merab Dvalishvili
Hyder Amil could beat Volkanovski (if he gets KOed at training before)
Ignacio Bahamontes could beat Topuria
Tampa Gambino could beat Giacomo Della Maddalena
Roman Dolidze could beat Big Ank
Derrick Lewis could beat Aspinall
 
I'm going to ignore OP's fights. Maybe if Robocop had more cardio, he probably could be a MW Burns against Khamzat. Better low ranked fighters would be like Jean Silva over Volk. Prates or Morales over JDM. Used to have Van over Pantoja, but now he's ranked high. That's about all I have right now.
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.
 
i mean at HW anything could happen

Tai Tuivasa dropped Ciryl Gane 3 years ago.

cyril-gane-tai-tuivasa.gif
 
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