Im not understanding how this is actually an appealing and viable option for someone as proud as Khabib. Certainly he has to realize just how watered down this win and fight would be, given its current context? How and why would he want to follow through with it. A win at this stage would mean... what?
Exactly. It's like a current prime light middleweight boxer (154 lbs) calling out Andre Ward for a super fight but at 154lbs. It's laughable and pathetic from Khabib. It's really weak from him imo.
Pretty much, if Khabib thinks he is better he should prove it at the weight GSP had his wins at. Khabib struggles to make LW, it's not like he would have to eat up to WW. Also considering GSP is way older
So did Hughes, Hughes was p4p the strongest UFC fighter there had ever been in his prime. GSP has been in with men as strong imo
You're right about Khabib being freakishly strong and Somali's comparison to Hughes is pretty apt. If Khabib is more skilled than Hughes, it isn't by that much, in my opinion. Khabib definitely has more technical ground and pound. The way he traps arms with the near side or far side wrist ride and punches with the free hand when he has their back with no hooks in. The way he triangles the legs to keep people against the cage and unable to wall walk or create space. The way he pins arms and rains down punches from half-guard with a lot of posture. He's definitely revolutionized ground and pound to a level beyond what Hughes, Fedor, GSP, Jones or anyone before has achieved from a technical standpoint. But Hughes had pretty advanced ground and pound for the time as well. He was very effective with using the crucifix like when he finished Penn. He had a good sense of shot selection on the ground; when to throw hooks to the side of the head, when to throw uppercuts underneath an opponent's armpit, when to backwards elbows to the side of the head. He could posture effectively, while maintaining position. He was a good guard passer, too. Could knee slide very effectively. I know Khabib doesn't emphasize passing to the extent that older fighters do, but I think Hughes was more smooth at it. Most importantly, though, Hughes was so underrated as a submission grappler. Khabib is underrated, too, but I don't think he's on Hughes' level. When have you ever seen Khabib catch someone in something as slick as something like Hughes' armbar against GSP? His kimura over Riggs from half-guard was class, too. As far as striking goes, I can't argue with you, mark. Khabib is very rudimentary, but he's just better than Hughes. I just think Hughes is very underrated as a fighter.
good post mate I’ll be honest, Hughes imo is yet to be passed in terms of strength, that free strength he had, hard to explain strength where he could power through people when he was in danger. His iq as you’ve pointed out also was extremely good on the ground. I think he beats khabib anyways