Which former champions could have beaten them?

[fries in the bag]

125: ??? > Demetrious Johnson
135: ??? > Merab Dvalishvili
145: ??? > Ilia Topuria
155: ??? > Khabib Nurmagomedov
170: ??? > Georges St-Pierre
185: ??? > Khamzat Chimaev
205: ??? > Jon Jones
265: ??? > Tom Aspinall

 

[STAY GOLD]

Not sure I'd pick Pantoja to beat Mighty Mouse, but that would be a great fight.

Aldo would've given Topuria problems.

I'd pick Anderson over Khamzat.

There's a ton I'd say would give Aspinall problems, namely Fedor, Cro Cop, Reem possibly, DC, Brock, Cain, Big Nog, etc.

 

[fries in the bag]

Not sure I'd pick Pantoja to beat Mighty Mouse, but that would be a great fight.

Aldo would've given Topuria problems.

I'd pick Anderson over Khamzat.

There's a ton I'd say would give Aspinall problems, namely Fedor, Cro Cop, Reem possibly, DC, Brock, Cain, Big Nog, etc.

good picks

so for now:
- jon jones safe
- gsp safe
- khabib safe
- merab safe

 

[2432sj]

GSP: no one

 

[Bowel-forged Stool]

McGregor imo was a nightmare matchup for Topuria

BJ would have been fun to see vs Khabib

Lawler that destroyed rormac might have chinned GSP..

 

[joy2day]

Aldo would've given Topuria problems.

Fight of the century potential if it were WEC Aldo, love that matchup.

 

[mkt]

Prime

good picks

so for now:
- jon jones safe
- gsp safe
- khabib safe
- merab safe

Prime, pre-ACL injury Cruz and prime TJ would be interesting opponents for Merab. Cruz had very good and tricky footwork, was very well-rounded and also had great 5-round cardio. TJ kind of copied Cruz' style and wasn't quite as good, prime vs. prime, IMO...except he hit harder and had KO power.

Frankie Edgar cut to BW late in his career and I think he could've fought there at any time. He'd also be intersting vs. Merab if he were young enough.

 

[Croton]

125: Cejudo
135: EPO Dillasnake
145: McGregor
155: Islam
170: No one
185: No one
205: No one
265: Maybe Jones/Francis/DC too early to tell