Pirog's legacy gets better and better

Which fight of Maciel was a good example of his "prime"

 

He doesn't have to be anything like "extraordinary" to beat Maciel

 

Well, even allowing for Pirog's back injury when they fought (which I think is more or less canceled out by the fact that Maciel was venturing 6lb north of where he was effective; he never belonged at MW and it nullified his usual strength advantage in his native class) he gave Dmitry quite a handful, so I guess it would depend on how much you think of that - and of Pirog.

Beyond that, when he dropped back down he dominated a slew of domestic opposition that, while not big names, showed him living up to his moniker of "The Beast". I suppose you would have to very closely follow the Argie scene to understand that in spite of their iffy records a lot of these guys were solid enough that Maciel toying with & manhandling them spoke to him deserving the high esteem in which many of us held La Bestia h2h @ 154lb. His style, however, lends itself to a short prime which I believe has now been exhausted, given the loss to Gonzo.

 

Rose is a bit shy of world class, and deserved to lose to Maciel even though it was a poor night for Javier. Ought to have been close but clear for JFM.

 

Any from 2010 until his mild upset victory over Melendez.

 

Yup, don't see it.

Putting up a brave effort against Pirog(but hardly a close fight), and beating domestic fighters isn't enough to sell me on giving Andrade problems.

Andrade us a former world Amateur champ who has win over Vanes as a pro.

I know you'll bring up styles but Maciel and Rose had a tough fight whereas Rose literally looked like he was chosen at random from the crowd when he fought Andrade.

 

And yes, plenty of good fighters come from Argentina.

They don't become great because of the record they accumulate at home though.

They leave to make their mark

 

Ok, what's Maciels best win in 34 fights?
You can even include Rose is you want.

 

Pirog would have massacred Andrade.

 

Even with a broken spinal back? In Siberia? In January? Outdoors? On a frozen lake?

 

Thats not what I'm arguing though.

 

Pirog already had a back injury going into the Jacobs fight. His Chiropractor was keeping it under control though. It got worse after the Jacobs fight. He was hindered by it in every fight post Jacobs. He fought Maciel with his back somewhat seriously ****ed up, but he didn't want to pull out of the fight as it was in Russia. You could tell he couldn't do what he wanted to do against Maciel, and Maciel seriously hurt him to the body in that fight.

Injury free. Pirog could have developed into something special.