Greatest fighters ever per weight class

GSP is already WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better than Hughes ever was.

 

I can't see anybody being better than penn right now at 155.
GSP right now i think should be ranked higher than hughes at 170.
Silva is up there with sakuraba right now. He has been dominating all his opponents from 185-205.
Wanderlei was a beast during his prime. Machida is probably the only fighter that i can see that can overtake him as being the greatest at 205.
Heavyweight i just can't see anybody right now that can be better than fedor.

 

Best and greatest aren't neccesarily the same; if you consider title fights, which you have to in a discussion like this, then it's not so clear.

GSP has a better career if you ignore the issue of title defenses, but the added pressure, higher competition relative to the rest of the division, and even just the 2 extra rounds does make title fights matter more.

GSP doesn't neccesarily need to match title defenses because the rest of his resume is better, but he is probably two title defenses away from passing Hughes overall.

 

If you're basing it solely on title defenses, then yeah. But on quality of opposition, performance against that opposition, and just overall skill level especially, GSP has him licked. Yes, Hughes was very dominant, but he never consistently dominated the level of fighters GSP has been doing, nor was he ever as impressive or anywhere near as complete. Based on a combination of factors, GSP is already far Hughes's superior, IMO.

 

Not solely title defenses, but that has to be a large part of it. GSP doesn't have to match him title defense wise, but a few more would help cement his spot past Hughes.

The level of quality was just as good in relation to the sport. It is a pretty fair and easy argument to say that MMA has gotten better and produced better fighters, but in terms of fighting the best available, Hughes did the same thing GSP is doing, fought the best guys there.

Another thing, as of now, in Hughes favor slightly is longevity; Hughes had a 5 year run as the man, although that loss to BJ was in the middle. GSP has had about 3 years as the absolute #1 guy, with the loss to Serra in the middle.

I still think that if GSP quit today he would be remembered as the clearly superior fighter ability wise, and nearly as accomplished, but without a few more good wins I don't think you can say he passes Hughes in terms of all around, everything considered, greatness. Even if you can say GSP was overal the greater fighterYou certainly can't say "far superier" yet.

The day will absolutely come when GSP is considered greater than Hughes, all aspects considered, even if he doesn't match every record. I think two absolutely great wins, or 3 or 4 wins of any kind really will put him at the undisputed GOAT.

 

Confused on why Wanderlei would be ranked higher then Liddell. Liddell beat IMO the better competition which includes Wanderlei himself.

 

Today's fighters will always be more skillful, because the sport is growing so fast. I promise you the likes of Marciano wouldn't do so well today against cruisers or even middleweights. The boxing is just much more refined today.
In terms of all time greatness the time period must be considered. Matt Hughes dominated his division for a quite while against top notch opponents, until Penn showed up.

 

Was gonna say that man, Liddell had a better LHW run....tbh i think W.Silva is very overrated in terms of skills. Liddell was a much better striker.

 

wow lidell beat a past his best w silva who had already been ko'd a few times before he gt to chuck and silva still gave him fits in that fight,the same w silva who in his prime destroyed rampage 2wice and took a prime cro crop the distance,silva is the greatest lh ever with liddell close but clear 2nd:deal

 

The Liddell vs Silva fight itself was just a cherry on top. They were both past their best.

Liddell has far more top names on his list than Silva does; just as Liddell lost to Rampage, Silva lost to Arona, arguably both times.

It's close either way, but if you considered caliber of opponents actually beaten, then it has to be Liddell.

 

Yeah and that verison of Chuck was some spring chicken to right ? Getting beatdown by Jardine and stopped cold by Rampage isnt exactly much better then Wanderleis 2 previous fights when he was laid out. Both where past it and Chuck won it and so what about fits ? Chuck hurt him badly several times and scored 3 takedowns. Chuck clearly won all 3 rounds although it wasnt dominant he still clearly won the fight and scored more damage. Wanderleis resume at 205 cant touch Chucks his best wins where vs Mezger(Chuck did the same),Hendo,Rampage 2x,Arona 1-1,very much smaller Sakuraba and Jardine. Now of course Rampage and Jardine own wins over Chuck but lets not forget Chuck defeating Ortiz 2x or Belfort who know a thing about beating Wanderlei. Throw in Couture 2x,Babalu 2x,Horn,Overeem,Bustamante,Monson,Randleman.