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So is Vitaly Minakov legit?

You're thoughts?

He's got some flaws. Cardio and his bottom game can be troublesome, but his potential is very high. He's more complete than most of the newer heavyweights and his power can win him the fight at any point.

If he were in the UFC, he'd be an upper end guy in the top 10 like Stipe is right now, but probably not one to win a title or get past the top 3.
 
He's not the best in the world, but he's definitely legit. I was dissapointed in the Kongo fight, but it seemed like an off night more than anything
 
He's a tough Heavyweight.
 
is he the best heavyweight in bellator? yes.

woudl he have beaten arlovski and bigfoot last night? possibly.

would he be a substantial underdog to cain/jds/werdum/browne/barnett? yes.
 
Minakov is legit, but isn't "UFC level" according to some Zuffa zombies on this board.
 
is he the best heavyweight in bellator? yes.

woudl he have beaten arlovski and bigfoot last night? possibly.

would he be a substantial underdog to cain/jds/werdum/browne/barnett? yes.
under browne and barnett? lol are you kidding me?

under Cain/Werdum/JDS i am agree, but the rest of dudes on UFC no way
 
He is 'legit'.

He would lose to a fair amount of fighters unless he makes some significant improvements though.

Still, he is probably the best heavyweight outside the UFC.
 
In the days where Frank Mir is #12 HW, you'd be crazy to not say yes Minakov is legit
 
He beat Kongo, he's legit. That's more than Mitrione or Browne can say.

I like the prime Kongo vs green Browne/prime Minakov vs past it Kongo comparison you just did there. Works well for this discussion.

Anyways i like the Stipe comparison, similar style fighter as well. Would love to see that fight.
 
He's definitely top 10. Looking forward to his fight with Volkov who imo is top 15
 
Nobody thinks a fighter's gonna make it into the top-5 until they make it into the top-5.
 
Nobody thinks a fighter's gonna make it into the top-5 until they make it into the top-5.

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100% Agree
 
IMK you beast Kongo you're legit.

He can hang with any top 10 and of you give him that let dude roll with dos santos types.
 
he is legit for sure,

he has some flaws like mentioned before ( bottom game and Cardio ) but his heart, KO Power and Sambo skills are excellent imo



easily a top 10 fighter imo
 
He'd probably beat top 10ers, Overeem, Rothwell, Arlovski and Bigfoot.
 
It's hard to say. He better try his luck in the UFC soon because he's 29 and who knows how much longer he has left in his physical prime. The UFC should sign him and see how good he really is.
 
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