When Aldo makes a career out of beating up smaller stocky wrestlers he's the GOAT.
That would be the fact that Aldo defended the title against everyone they put in front of him, during an era when wrestlers were dominating.
When Conor (who is only slightly taller than Aldo) does the same it's because "he's only beaten manlets"
People are not 2 dimensional. It is not debatable that Conor has a much larger frame than Aldo, and most of the FW division. "Slightly taller" has nothing to do with it. Holloway is "slightly taller" than Mark Hunt.
When Aldo won the first 3 rounds and then coasted to a decision he's still regarded as a killer because of cheap wins over the likes of Brookins, Cub,and co.
The approach to *defending* a belt in a title defense, when you have everything to lose, is much different than being the challenger, where you have everything to gain. There is also the fact that when you defend your title, especially for a long time, you are fighting guys who are gameplanning and training for you outside of just one camp. Everyone sets their sights on the champ, and strategizes for the (hopeful) eventuality that they may one day fight him. A champ knows this, and usually takes a precautionary approach of reacting to his opponent.
It's very difficult to take chances and throw everything into your shots, when you know the slightest error could see your reign as champ go down the toilet - ESPECIALLY against hungry challengers who have been preparing for this moment their entire careers.
I don't think you truly appreciate just how difficult it is to have multiple title defenses, in a sport defined by inches, where anything can happen, and at the highest level. That is what makes people like Aldo, Silva, GSP, DJ, Fedor, etc., GOATs.
When Aldo pretends that he wants to go to LW he's an animal
When Conor does it and wins the belt it's no big deal
I wouldn't say it was no big deal for Conor to win - it's certainly an incredible accomplishment. The situations were different though. Aldo was given an ultimatum - Conor risked absolutely nothing. I mean, even IF Dana told Conor he had to give up the FW belt, Conor had no title defenses, so his situation was completely different.
