What stage do you believe UFC is at?

[BowserJr]

I'm not diving deep into the NBA bit because it only acts as an analogy.
In that regard, my point is the way of playing has changed to maximize efficiency.

Let's take the starting 5 of the best Bulls vs peak GSW / current Celtics / D'Antoni's Rockets... Under past or current rules, I don't care. They would get swarmed by 3s and pace.

Now, MMA is an individual sport.
Let's imagine prime Jordan in his best night goes full Jordan (so they guard each other the full game) with the best players of the current era.
I'm not even talking Jokic -though I could,

Absolutely not true. Under the old rules there would be no swarm of 3s cuz the shooters would get checked the fuck down and the threat of getting hit plus the ability to get in the face of the shooter substantially limits the ability to shoot compared to today. Rules make a huge difference

Ie. Knees on the ground in mma

 

[Nizam al-Mulk]

I'm not diving deep into the NBA bit because it only acts as an analogy.
In that regard, my point is the way of playing has evolved to maximize efficiency.

Let's take the starting 5 of the best Bulls vs peak GSW / current Celtics / D'Antoni's Rockets... Under past or current rules, I don't care. They would get swarmed by 3s and pace.

Now, MMA is an individual sport.
Let's imagine prime Jordan in his best night goes full Jordan (so they guard each other the full game) with the best players of the current era.
I'm not even talking Jokic or Giannis -though I could, as we are talking about the best players- because of huge height discrepancies.
So take Luka.

MJ would get a bucket of his fadeaways and dunks. Luka would shoot step-back 3s and floaters.
Jordan, even playing as "God disguised as a basketball player", would be outscored (and down in assists, too).
Because Doncic's shoot selection would be way more efficient.

BB has underwent a few paradigm shifts. MMA, basically, has went through just one: from a freakshow to a professional, elite combat sport on his own.

Yes, the roster's depth has risen but possibly we have seen better top dudes 170-up.
Tactics, training, approach are pretty much the same.

Mj would do more than fine with less punishment in the paint SGA did just fine without shooting many 3s.

Why the heck would his assissts be down? The game just became much less physical for him with at least some more 3 point threats on his team giving him more chance to give out assissts.