Who has the smartest fight IQ? I want to say Jon, but something prevents me from saying him. Even though he's never lost outside of the DQ, . I would say Jon is the most creative fighter ever. GSP? Khabib? Mighty Mouse? Mighty Mouse looks like he's sparring in the ring. Whenever I saw one of his fights, even against cejudo. Dude look like he was sparring at LA fitness or something. Took the instructions from his corner and just downloaded it into his system.
Maybe it's too hard to pin down to one person.
For me I define it as the ability to make adjustments and technical proficieny in all areas. Id have give it to Cejudo, or for active fighters Id say proven fight iq goes to Volk or Holloway. Volk prior 2 the Holloway rematch had some of the best mid fight reads coupled with his complete well roundedness. His striking is very subtle but some of the most effective in the sport and makes very little mistakes. Holloway for the adjustments he made in the second fight ans his recent fight recognizing and exploiting Kattars weakness.However your like to define it. It's all subjective. It's hard to put it in a box. So try to drop the best in your opinion.
If I had to choose if say gsp and khabib. Mm probably in there too.
I don't think Jon is the best at making adjustments as the others I listed. I think Jon has a very high fight IQ with high creativity. But when is been tested, but subpart fighters while his prime is going down it's look questionable.
Everyone gets old and everyone is beatable but IMO santos is not a high IQ fighter. Neither is reyes. All three of his past intents got finished by lesser talented guys.
GSP has no fight IQ and he knows it. Its his coach that have great fight IQ ( Danaher, Freddie Roach, Firas, Greg Jackson ..)
He only do whats his gameplan is and stick to it 100%.
Its freddie roach who told him between round to faint with the right to go for th left hook against Bisping.
But in terme of real fight IQ during the fight, Gane has real striker fight IQ, adapting his striking to what his opponnant will react to his faint.
Khabib has the highest fight IQ in MMA history.
Not only that but he's the biggest clutch performer. The circumstances of the Conor and Gaethje fights were insane amounts of pressure and emotion yet he conquered.
KhaGOAT bless.