I can't realistically see anyone that I would favor over Khabib other than GSP, Tony would come close, Kevin Lee could cause some trouble but I can't see either getting their hands raised, GSP for me is the only man who can beat Khabib, he has the skillset to do it, his jab, wrestling, takedown defence and pure strenght.
I mean currently, GSP is walking around really light of late, think he's setting up for khabib or McGregor
i want to see T ferg, he doesn't gas and has a hell of a ground game, even if he gets taken down he has some demonic submissions.
Tony has a fair shot. Other than that you would have to look at the WW's - both GSP and Woodley would beat him I reckon.
GSP is running from Woodley so much that he is losing weight enormously enough to melt down to lightweight now? What a chicken. McGregor wants a rematch, Tony wants the money fight over the belt and GSP is a coward. Let me guess Tyron is too big for old Boy George from Canada?
I cringe most times I here him speak but I think Tony Fergurson is the only guy at the moment I see beating Khabib
Woodley beats him, imo. Ferg has a decent chance. I like Khabib and would be rooting for him, but really, in my opinion he has low fight IQ and it will probably cost him a loss before he retires. If he had high fight IQ Id say he'd definitely beat Ferg but still think Woodley probably edges him. Would love to see that fight.
Ferguson is overdo for a loss. He has no defense whatsoever. Pettis who has infamously weak boxing and relies too much on sharpshooting with kicks was lighting him up and countering all night. I give him very little chance personally. Khabib would have to have a terrible cut and gas late in order to lose against Ferguson. No one at 155 is likely to be him at this point. a few guys have a punchers chance but that's it.
I think Fergs standup is better than Khabibs, even factoring in his careless defense. Khabib would give him plenty of opportunities to land significant strikes, and so until Khabib shows me higher IQ Ill always give good strikers a decent chance against him. Maybe decent is too strong a term, but I mean it in a relative sense. I gave Conner about a 15% chance of winning. I give Ferg about a 30% chance. Khabibs standup is just too poor, and he commits to it way too much. Any good striker has a realistic chance (not to be confused with probable) of winning, imo, until Khabib shows me higher IQ. Which, considering what Ive seen, won't be happening. That being said, again when I say he has a chance I give it about a 30%. Just imo though.
Ferguson might be more dynamic but Khabib actually does the basics better. And his pressure and the threat of the takedown aids him in that area as it did with with McGregor. Personally I think Fergusons only real chance is to take him late and snatch up a submission. Don't think he has a realistic chance of KO'ing him. Kevin Lee while battling Staph more than held his own with Ferguson until completely gassing late. Just thinking things through... I actually give Gaethje the best chance of anyone in the division. Great wrestler, big LW, good chin and good striking offense. Funny how that works. a guy who almost lost to Johnson and lost to Poirier and Alvarez has the best shot at beating KHabib in the division. It may sound insane but I stand by that.
I dont really rate doing basics better when the overall product is a complete level below to the point where the level eclipses the fundamentals, as I do here. Hopefully we get to see though. Would love to see Khabib deal with and hopefully (likely) overcome that awkwardness.