No, Hollaway tears him a new one. Topuria obliteratates him. Showed he has zero grappling against Justin. His standup looks soft and not that quick. He dooesnt like presuure, Max is a come forward fighter that would use his head as a speed ball. Topuri'a speed power and precision would flatline him.
He is clearly not elite level. His standup is very ordinary and he didn't earn this title shot at all. Best win was a washed up old Michael Chandler. The interim belt should have been contested by Arman v Holloway. The ufc is just like boxing with multiple belts per weight class, Fake belts like the BMF and massively undeserving title shots for their favourites who they want to market. Several times in the past fighters have received title shots off loses even. Don't be fooled by smoke and mirrors.
could be improve? possibly. If he top level yet? No Is he marketable due to being British, a trash talker and having a funny accent? Yes. He showed a lot of toughness tonight. Hopefully he improves his defense and comes back better. He is nowhere near elite level yet but he is young enough whereby its possible for him to make improvements.
He's average probably shouldn't even be in the top ten at this point. Outside of his chin he has nothing special about him
He’s a top 10 fighter, almost top 5. Before the haters get carried away, Gaethje has been top 5 for how long? 7 years and is now a two time interim Lightweight champ. He’s also got time on his side and isn’t quite in his prime yet. I guess it means what you mean by ‘top’ level; If you mean in the top 3 in his weight class in the world, then no. If you mean top 5 in his weight class in the world, then not quite, but he’s close If you mean in the top 10 in the world in his weight class then almost certainly. If you mean some kind of arbitrary rating or meaning as if he’s up there with the very best mixed martial artists in the world, like a top 20 pound for pound or heralded is one of the greats, then obviously not.
Was going to say similar. I’m usually pretty underwhelmed with the stand up fighting of mma fighters but definitely was in this one
. I just watched it today and I'm sorry but although he has a lot of heart, he was simply beaten up and old manned by a poor version Gaethje. Justin did not look good in this victory. His balance was shot, his reflecex were shot, he reacted massively to every punch or feint Paddy threw or showed and he resolutely stuck to his high output full steam ahead game plan. This was demonstrably not a good version of Justin. Paddy, I think, had no plan B after he quickly realised that the punches that had deterred other fighters were simply bouncing off of Gaethje and he was massively outmuscled everywhere punches were not thrown. I thought he looked bereft of ideas and I must say, drained at that weight. This was a day after their weigh in remember and he still looked cut and gaunt. I love Justin, always loved his attitude and style, but I thought he looked like a slow motion caricature of himself at times. For Paddy to lose so comprehensively to this version of Gaethje is worrying for me. So, now Gaethje will go on an Indian summer type run and clear the division and Paddy will move on to become a multi weight ATG because thats how it works when I make observations...
Top 15 for sure. But he will probably struggle to maintain a 0.500 record if they keep matching him up with guys in the top 10.
