Who’s the 2nd greatest MW ever?

Vitor had some bad losses later, but his wins at MW are quite impressive:
Franklin
Rumble
Bisping
Rockhold
Henderson

All finishes.

Of course, there is always that asterisk <45>, and he lost too many times to really consider him, but I just wanted to mention that nice little run.
 
cmw43 said:
Vitor on his full power Jesus juice for me.

Finishes of Rumble Johnson, Bisping, Rockhold and Hendo.

All except Bisping were first round too.

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That version of Vitor was intimidating. :D
And he almost submitted the LHW GOAT!
 
Taric said:
Chris Weidman is far and away the 2nd most accomplished MW ever.
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You scream bias, boy

Luke Rockhold arrived to UFC as a legitimate Strikeforce MW champion (is this an mma forum or a particular promotion forum?)
Then proceeded to make an impressive run of 5 wins 5 finishes with included beating Weidman into a pulp for the belt.

If they didn't fight each other it would be more of an open discussion. But they did, both in their prime, and there is no controversy about the outcome.

To still saying Weidman is "far and away" above Rockhold can only be bias
 
Mousasi- and the fact that he was championed at 205 for a chunk of his career actually strengthens his stance .This cat is still only 34 .....still going strong and carries little to 0 mma mileage over 17 years. His prime years are winding down( most likely) and we might never see anything like this again. 47-7 , 8-0( KB) over every top promotion- has never lost 2 in a row since age 17. [12-3, 9-3 zuffa, UFC ]

MMAs paradox.
 
Chael_Sonnen said:
Whittaker. Beat prime Romero and prime Jacare.
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I've become a fan of Rob but I cant put a proper label on him. He beat up an aging " mini" jacare. Romero is/ was a beast but hes not this unbeatable machine that people were making him out to be. A few welters came up to 185 and had some success during the " bisping period" which alot of regression to other great middles were happening at the same time.
Longevity counts and I hope Whitaker comes back and remains a fixture in top 5 ( or even regains title - then we' re having a different discussion). I really do - Robs a champ in my book, regardless.

I have to call the way I see it which is just my opinion.
 
pankrat said:
You scream bias, boy

Luke Rockhold arrived to UFC as a legitimate Strikeforce MW champion (is this an mma forum or a particular promotion forum?)
Then proceeded to make an impressive run of 5 wins 5 finishes with included beating Weidman into a pulp for the belt.

If they didn't fight each other it would be more of an open discussion. But they did, both in their prime, and there is no controversy about the outcome.

To still saying Weidman is "far and away" above Rockhold can only be bias
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Weidman - 7 ranked wins - 4 championship titles as the #1 MW in the world
#1 fighters defeated (1):
Silva
Top 5 fighters defeated (4):
Belfort
Machida
Silva
Munoz
Top 10 fighters defeated (2):
Gastelum
Maia

Rockhold - 5 ranked wins - 1 championship title as the #1 MW in the world
#1 fighters defeated (1):
Weidman
Top 5 fighters defeated (2):
Machida
Jacare
Top 10 fighters defeated (2):
Branch
Bisping

Happy to present you with non-partisan data.
 
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Istryker said:
Anderson Silva is the consensus greatest middleweight of all time and some argue he IS the greatest mixed martial artist ever but i was just wondering who is considered the second best mw? Middleweight is historically really stacked and has some great names there.


I want to say either Mousasi or Luke Rockhold have a great claim at being the right behind Andy as the MW goat if that makes sense.


What does sherdog think? <{fry}>
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If someone at AKA taught Luke how to protect himself and honed in on a perfect weight cut process ( Luke a HUGE middle) then right about now hed probably be considered GOAT MW.

Unfortunately ifs and buts do count. Prime Luke (bc- before chin) as good as ANYONE I've ever seen at 185.
 
This weidman noise needs to go away. He deserves a spot on all time list but hes no 2nd. That's #1 bullshit. Timing and circumstances led him to being the one on other side of cage vs Anderson ( and skill too - hes not a bisping. Chris was champion material).
Chris ' s best win was Lyoto ( outside him winning title) and that was a competitive fight. Chris took on all comers before and after but that was his choice( he also was not evolving - that does count in this nature of discussion) . Also - when SFORCE middles came over, it was just a matter of time.

I don't know where to put Chris but it ain't 2nd.
 
MW is by far the hardest division to rank, as the div was weak for so long, divided too, then strong for a fairly short period. So these widely differing lists are always hilarious.

I'm sure of #1, that is Anderson. I'd put Hendo at #2, but it's not a sure placement, as he jumped divs. After that though, you get like 10 guys with a claim for #3. I'd go with Mike, but he's crushed his fair share of cans along the way.
 
Taric said:
Weidman - 7 ranked wins - 4 championship titles as the #1 MW in the world
#1 fighters defeated (1):
Silva
Top 5 fighters defeated (4):
Belfort
Machida
Silva
Munoz
Top 10 fighters defeated (2):
Gastelum
Maia

Rockhold - 5 ranked wins - 1 championship title as the #1 MW in the world
#1 fighters defeated (1):
Weidman
Top 5 fighters defeated (2):
Machida
Jacare
Top 10 fighters defeated (2):
Branch
Bisping

Happy to present you with non-partisan data.
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If someone presents a list in which Munoz is considered top5 and Kennedy isn't considered at all...call it non-partisan data if you wish; your criteria is flawed as fuck.
By the way, for "data" we already have wikipedia
 
Yoel Romero

  • Slept Rockhold
  • Murked Weidman
  • Beat Whittaker once (unofficially but we all know he won that second one)
  • Bounced Machida's head off the canvas
  • Stopped Kennedy when he was actually a top 10 Middleweight
  • Beat Jacare in a closely contested bout, concussed him with that spinning back fist.
  • Knocked out a solid journeyman in Brunson
  • Arguably beat Costa on points
  • Arguably won a snoozefest against the best Middleweight in the world right now
Name me someone with this resume at 185lbs.

Nobody.
 
VenomCarnage said:
Yoel Romero

  • Slept Rockhold
  • Murked Weidman
  • Beat Whittaker once (unofficially but we all know he won that second one)
  • Bounced Machida's head off the canvas
  • Stopped Kennedy when he was actually a top 10 Middleweight
  • Beat Jacare in a closely contested bout, concussed him with that spinning back fist.
  • Knocked out a solid journeyman in Brunson
  • Arguably beat Costa on points
  • Arguably won a snoozefest against the best Middleweight in the world right now
Name me someone with this resume at 185lbs.

Nobody.
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Romero has a strong case, that's for sure.
If it's not because the Kennedy and Jacare wins are pretty controversial..
 
I cant believe I'm about to say this but the Franklin noise needs to go away. Rich was awesome during his stretch and unlike Hughes, he was actually evolving with the times after his 2nd loss to A.S as he continued to exchange wins and losses over 2 divisions but nothing special. He has a spot but it's not 2nd . I even try to transcend fighters in these type of discussions ( as everyone should) but it's tough.
 
Franklin U. said:
I cant believe I'm about to say this but the Franklin noise needs to go away. Rich was awesome during his stretch and unlike Hughes, he was actually evolving with the times after his 2nd loss to A.S as he continued to exchange wins and losses over 2 divisions but nothing special. He has a spot but it's not 2nd . I even try to transcend fighters in these type of discussions ( as everyone should) but it's tough.
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Franklin should no way be even considerd elite in your elitist book, that's for sure
 
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