Ability-wise, who has proved to be the 2nd best fighter ever at 185lbs?

[Kittikasem]

Anderson Silva is, obviously, the greatest 185lbs fighting machine in MMA history, by far.

After that, there doesn't seem to be a clear number 2.

At different times, guys like Dan Henderson and Frank Shamrock and Vitor Belfort and Rich Franklin and Chael Sonnen and some others have all looked good.

Did Sakuraba actually ever fight at a 185lbs limit?


Who do you think looked like the second best ever middleweight on the basis of performances at 185lbs?

[yaca you]

based on performances Musassi. Dream Gp baby!!

I think Rich "Jim Carey" Franklin, Dan Henderson and Frank shamrock were the next best. Not sure which order. their is no solidified second IMO. Though I personally think Dan Henderson would have been the #1 guy if not for Silvas "meddling" he has a great rivalry with Franklin but I think he is sightly better.

I think It's impossible to rank Sakuraba to high at particular weightclass he's Langfordesque in that way.

If Sonnen would have waited to make his move at the titleshot in hopes of Silva retiring, and leaving the title vacant. he might have made his mark at middle. Now he will be forever known as Anderson Silvas bitch.

[Vic-JofreBRASIL]

Hard to say IMO.....good question btw.
I would say Frank Shamrock, he was the most complete among the rest of the bunch......

[Ne5ville14]

Yaca...you beat me to it.

For me the #2 ability wise is Mousasi !

[Flea Man]

Jake Shields.

[rusty nails]

ability wise its hard to go past vitor. on his day hes a simply brilliant fighter.
He can be beaten but when hes in the mood he can beat just about any 185 pounder alive.

[thewinfella]

It is a very good question

Henderson , Shamrock , Franklin and Belfort come to the top of my head in that order

Id be tempted to go with Dan Henderson , but i believe Belfort may have something to say about that come the end of the race

Todays rankings look like this IMO :

1. Anderson Silva
2. Vitor Belfort
3. Chael Sonnen
4. Alan Belcher
5. Chris Weidman

[thewinfella]

Originally Posted by rusty nails

ability wise its hard to go past vitor. on his day hes a simply brilliant fighter.
He can be beaten but when hes in the mood he can beat just about any 185 pounder alive.

I believe Belfort will wear that belt one day in the next 2 years

[Will Munny]

Chris Weidman. Says a lot about the division when it's an upstart. This guy comes along 10 years earlier and Anderson goes the way of Rich Franklin.

[Kittikasem]

Originally Posted by Flea Man

Jake Shields.

I think the current version of Vitor Belfort (Akiyama & Anthony Johnson fights) would punch holes in any version of Shields, probably in the first couple of minutes.

[Kittikasem]

Originally Posted by Will Munny

Chris Weidman. Says a lot about the division when it's an upstart. This guy comes along 10 years earlier and Anderson goes the way of Rich Franklin.

I think you're getting wildly carried away by a guy who beat Demian Maia on points. Yes, he looked amazing against Munoz, but Weidman obviously hasn't proven himself yet. Has he ever beat a good striker? Sakara is a good boxer, but he's not really a top fighter, he got knocked out by Chris Leben, Brian Stann, Drew McFedries, Houston Alexander, etc.

As of now, there is nothing to suggest that Weidman beats the best versions of Silva, Belfort or Henderson, or even Franklin or Shamrock.

I'd even expect Bisping to give Weidman hell, as Bisping's TDD would make it very difficult for CW, just like it did for Sonnen.

[greathamza]

Originally Posted by thewinfella

It is a very good question

Henderson , Shamrock , Franklin and Belfort come to the top of my head in that order

Id be tempted to go with Dan Henderson , but i believe Belfort may have something to say about that come the end of the race

Todays rankings look like this IMO :

1. Anderson Silva
2. Vitor Belfort
3. Chael Sonnen
4. Alan Belcher
5. Chris Weidman

Cheal Sonnen as the 2nd best ever at 185?

[Kittikasem]

Originally Posted by greathamza

Cheal Sonnen as the 2nd best ever at 185?

If you re-read his post now, can you spot your two glaring errors?

[Kittikasem]

Originally Posted by rusty nails

ability wise its hard to go past vitor. on his day hes a simply brilliant fighter.
He can be beaten but when hes in the mood he can beat just about any 185 pounder alive.

Agreed.

[greathamza]

Originally Posted by Kittikasem

If you re-read his post now, can you spot your two glaring errors?

Still Sonnen being ranked #3 for what? His losing performances against Silva and a win over Bisping which many thought he lost and a win over Brian Stann who cant do shit on the ground. If chael was any good he would have subbed Stann in the first and not the second cuz Stann is just that bad on the ground