So is Vitaly Minakov legit?

[HaulParris]

More than any other division, HW is overrun with big guys with heavy hands. As Carwin showed, they can even get all the way to a championship fight before being exposed for their lack of cardio/gameplan/skills other than haymakers (not bashing Carwin by any means). Minakov is different (and to answer the OP, "legit") in that he relies on his skillset and gameplan more than on freakish natural athleticism. He doesn't keep winging haymakers, but mixes up striking and grappling to get the job done. Sometimes he plays if safe and even a bit dirty (as in the Kongo fight), but that's a part of his strategy (a concept that someone like Carwin or Lavar Johnson have no idea about). Lastly, as far as being "UFC-level" (whatever that means/I should change my sig), he's not as good as Cain, but would probably give Browne/Mitrione/etc a lesson in humility.

 

[UWanaPlayDaGame]

Minakov be legit.

why on earth wouldn't he? I for one believe Volkov has more upside because his standup is better than most HWs while Minakov has more "common" all around skills and could very well have his sambo negated by a good wrestler.

 

[Farbeyondthesun]

Minakov would certainly beat several heavyweights ranked in the Zuffa top 10. At the moment I see him beating Bigfoot, Browne, Arlovski, Barnett, Nelson, and Hunt. He's more than legit. A fight with Stipe is a toss up.

 

[JonSnitchPhones]

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.

a. 29 is younger than all but one hw (and it's by 1 year) ranked ahead of him on Fight Matrix.
b. it's not really his choice at this point.

 

[Substance Abuse]

He's more legit than Kongo.

 

[VulcanNervPinch]

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.

HW is an old division.
He could wait 3 years and still be one of the youngest when goes to the UFC.

The real problem is - after already beating Volkov and Kongo, who is he going to challenge himself with?

 

[GNP45]

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.

Dude it's HW, they just signed a "prospect" who's 39

 

[Amerikuracana]

He's good. He's top 10. From what I've seen Cain and JDS would have to take a step back for him to be considered on their level. He may actually match up better with Cain.. His head movement sucks at times.


imo