Maddalena was never good?

[wrb]

He just too slow. He has decent technique and im impressed he won the belt but he is too slow to hang against true elite fighters

"true elite fighters" That's one guy, Islam. I hate the "levels" and think its a bullshit cliche except for Islam and Khabib it seems to be true, also maybe Khamzhat. The idea that there are legions of these guys ready to dominate is turning out to be false. Even if all these guys went to Dagi for 5 years at best they are as good as the other beatable dagi's. Fucking Islam at 170 and probably Khabib at whatever weight are for sure different. Even Umar/Usman are beatable and every week there is another Dagi that gets beat.

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

Is it the first time in history that top 10 gatekeeper won the title?
Islam going to avoid the real challengers like moraes and prates?

Make Jack vs Prates next

 

[ElLunico]

"true elite fighters" That's one guy, Islam. I hate the "levels" and think its a bullshit cliche except for Islam and Khabib it seems to be true, also maybe Khamzhat. The idea that there are legions of these guys ready to dominate is turning out to be false. Even if all these guys went to Dagi for 5 years at best they are as good as the other beatable dagi's. Fucking Islam at 170 and probably Khabib at whatever weight are for sure different. Even Umar/Usman are beatable and every week there is another Dagi that gets beat.

Lol im not just referring to Dagestani fighters. True elite fighters that become dominant champs for some period of time. Theres guys like Whittaker, Usman, Adesanya, Aldo, Merab. Those guys in their primes are a level above a guy like JDM. No shame in that I guess you're still right there's not many of them

 

[mkt]

Shields came to the UFC, beat Martin Kampmann and then fought for the world title. He subsequently lost to Ellenberger, fighting the week Jake's father (and coach) died... surely a bad idea to refuse to postpone/cancel. He then wins his next 3 fights.

So despite being late in his fighting career (31 fights when entering the UFC) Jake won his debut, fought for the title and also beat future world champion Woodley. He left with an overall winning UFC record. Where is the reality check?

Lombard was also loaded up with miles debuting in the UFC with 35 pro fights and 34 years old. Give me a list of guys who went on win streaks after fighting 35 times starting in the UFC in their mid 30s.... that is not a thing.

Jack is a primary striker with average, perhaps best described as "competent" grappling. He fought the best MMA adapted grappler in the world right now, and got out wrestled. Styles make fights, nothing to see here IMO

Now that's some sophistry.

Shields debatably beat Kampmann (SD) in what was supposed to be his warm-up fight. He went 4-3 with an NC in the UFC overall after a 14-fight win streak outside the UFC. That more than proves my point. Claiming he had a "winning record" is silly and pedantic.

Belal was a few weeks shy of 37 when he fought JDM and had a good bit of mileage just like Lombard. So yes, it's a fair comparison. I question both the quality of his 10-fight win streak (outside of 2 guys) and if he was really the super elite fighter some claim he was.

 

[lenbiasgoat]

No it's just that Islam is one of the greatest to ever have done this, maybe even the greatest after Jones. I said it 3 years or so ago: He's better than even Khabib

khabib would beat islam to death if he was still active

 

[rjmbrd]

Now that's some sophistry.

Shields debatably beat Kampmann (SD) in what was supposed to be his warm-up fight. He went 4-3 with an NC in the UFC overall after a 14-fight win streak outside the UFC. That more than proves my point. Claiming he had a "winning record" is silly and pedantic.

Sophistry are you kidding me? Point out a single thing I wrote that is not objectively true. None of these are opinions:

- Jake won his UFC debut
- Jake fought the title
- Jake left with a overall winning UFC record
- Jake beat future world champion Tyron

He already had 30+ fights and still did this. You said he got a 'wake up call' and this is the pot calling the kettle black, come on dude.

Belal was a few weeks shy of 37 when he fought JDM and had a good bit of mileage just like Lombard.

This is the part where you've been around long enough to understand the exception does not make the rule. Anecdotes are anecdotes.

It is PLAINLY true by statistical analysis that fighters over 30 perform worse in the next phase of their career, particularly in lower weight division. The same is true for hitting 30 fights. These are not opinions.

So yes, it's a fair comparison. I question both the quality of his 10-fight win streak (outside of 2 guys) and if he was really the super elite fighter some claim he was.

Well... sure. If you win 6 UFC fights and the title, captured from a guy who hasn't lost in half a decade... you are pretty good.

The fact that I even have to type that out is hilarious.

 

[AL-Tappo McSnappo]

Islam is just better mma fighter

 

[Rod Farva]

He won the title fair and square.
“Not that good” is a relative term. He’s better than me.
He may not be the best in the roster right now but he certainly doesn’t suck

 

[wrb]

Lol im not just referring to Dagestani fighters. True elite fighters that become dominant champs for some period of time. Theres guys like Whittaker, Usman, Adesanya, Aldo, Merab. Those guys in their primes are a level above a guy like JDM. No shame in that I guess you're still right there's not many of them

Fair point. I still think top 5 are interchangeable for the most part. "khabib would beat islam to death if he was still active" They fight all the time according to Javier and Islam usually loses but not always.

 

[Fact Checker]

I’ve been consistent in saying he’s the worst qualified champ since Matt Serra.


Zero impressive wins to separate from the competition.

Got his title shot on a buzzer beater come from behind win against washed up Burns.

Close decision over another mediocre champ in Belal.

Dude just got gifted a title shot because he sat out while the division cluttered.

JDM is just another middle of the pack guy who came up

 

[pamirec]

Poor Jack. A few days ago he was going to crush Islam and now he was never good.

 

[JustBleed69]

JDM is clearly good, but I was never sold on him as being the best guy & I also think Belal was very overrated as well.
I don't think Jack is even the next best guy in the divison, I think Shavkhat and Ian Garry would both give him big problems.

 

[maximus__]

Is it the first time in history that top 10 gatekeeper won the title?
Islam going to avoid the real challengers like moraes and prates?

Nah man he was good but Islam got to see all his little tricks in the Belal fight and game plan for it.

Then he mixed in a kick heavy style to counter his boxing style.

After that he proceeded to hold him down, barely move and just grind out rounds.
JDM was prepared to scramble off the sub attempts and attempts to take his back, but Islam just held him in half guard and did nothing instead.

The few times they did strike, JDM hit him pretty clean, but then Islam just shot a takedown and kept it there.

Belal never had that type of top pressure.

 

[Pierce 34]

Guy lost to a all time great = sucks

 

[kdday]

Hes not bad, but he kinda bypassed any top whins, I think we're in the middle of a changing of the guard at 170 and we were getting away from Colby Usman Leon being the top dogs and kinda sorting out the new guys while I think its clear JDM probably isnt one, I think we're gonna be hearing alot more about Morales, Garry and Prates in the next 2 years than him, I think a good fight would be Shavkat and JDM whenever hes coming back

 

[Koya]

Forrest Griffin has beaten more Champions than Wanderlei Silva, and his losses were to champions, Griffin is no gatekeeper.

Maddalena is a good fighter, he was struggling against Burns and you could arguably say Belal is out of his prime (his next fight will be telling). We have to see how Maddalena does after this loss.

Belal just bought into his own hype with the "canelo hands" bullshit, when what made him win was his ability to follow well crafted gameplans. He's probably out of his prime too. All to say, you're right, JDM hit lightning in a bottle really

 

[SamuraiBro]

JDM is awesome. Had a bad performance. Pretty simple. It happens

 

[Human Bass]

He is pretty good but on the basic/predictable side.

 

[wwedanawhite]

JDM is good. Islam is just one of the best to ever do it. This is similar to how GSP, Khabib, DJ, Silva, Jones have made others look. Islam is as complete as it gets. Good stand up with top tier defence, and his grappling… well no need to even mention it. I also think WW did Islam a lot of good, he looked more athletic, less stiff and his cardio clearly benefited from it. Don’t be surprised is Islam makes the majority of these guys look “was never good to begin with”

 

[IDGETKTFO]

None of his previous fights stood out to me before getting a title shot.