American BJJer of all time so far? There have been a lot of really good Americans. First generation guys like Penn and Camarillo. Then came guys like Dean Lister and Dave Terrell. Then there was Jeff Glover, Bill Cooper and guys like Ryan Hall. But Keenan just seems to be at a different level. Not trying to debate things like "best at what?...self defense or sport" yada yada. Simply put is Keenan the best American BJJer we have seen so far?
Lovato always reps USA. I'm a fan of Kron. Is he american or Brazilian? Also JT Torres is amazing as well.
I would say, JT or Lovato for now.
I think the answer is yes.
I would love to see Lovato vs Keenan. Lovato made 185 for his Legacy fight on Friday. I'm sure they close in size.
If / when he wins black belt absolute, won't be a question. He will do that really soon, too.
I think it's trending that way for sure, but imo his body of work at bb is too small to be considered for that. I'm pretty sure Lovato is the best American of all time right now. Winning Brasilieros, Europeans, Pans and being the 2nd American to win the
Mundials all in the same year. Not to mention all the NoGi world championships and the medals at ADCC.
Not yet. Probably will be though
1) Lovato
2) Penn
3) Kennan
Needs the Mundial Gold, Pan Ams, Euro, and Brasileiro at Black Belt to surpass either. He is great but has a lot left to accomplish.
shark tank - I would love to see Lovato vs Keenan. Lovato made 185 for his Legacy fight on Friday. I'm sure they close in size.Weren't Lovato and Keenan in the same bracket at adcc??

B Heals -They were. Keenan should have been in the finals with Lovato in ADCC in my opinion. Keenan losing to Romulo by -1 was b.s. imo.shark tank - I would love to see Lovato vs Keenan. Lovato made 185 for his Legacy fight on Friday. I'm sure they close in size.Weren't Lovato and Keenan in the same bracket at adcc??

Current best American competitor yes.
Most accomplished American competitor, no, not by a long way.
BTTMike - 1) LovatoThis
2) Penn
3) Kennan
Needs the Mundial Gold, Pan Ams, Euro, and Brasileiro at Black Belt to surpass either. He is great but has a lot left to accomplish.

I think he will be the best ever before too long, but not quite yet.
ryanjudoka - I think it's trending that way for sure, but imo his body of work at bb is too small to be considered for that. I'm pretty sure Lovato is the best American of all time right now. Winning Brasilieros, Europeans, Pans and being the 2nd American to win theThis
Mundials all in the same year. Not to mention all the NoGi world championships and the medals at ADCC.

it sucks he prob wont win the absolute, i just think the best guy at superheavy or ultraheavy will be too much for him, but he should win the worlds a couple times, its hard to win once, never mind multiple times...and im a superhumongous keenan fan
Most skilled, yes
But not yet the most accomplished
i donno if he is more "skilled' than lovato, a more dyamic game perhaps.
I think it's likely that he will go down that way. I think Lovat Jr is the best. The only major gold he doesn't have is ADCC. Keenan has killed it at black belt so far, and he does seem to be only getting better. I think it's very likely that he'll get Mundials Gold, and also an ADCC Gold. I actually think he's as good if not better without the gi, but that's not the point.
I think Bill Cooper is the most naturally talented American grappler ever, and I still think when he's on that he can beat anyone in the world on any given day.
But yeah. Lovato Jr. Keenan strong possible. I hate how Keenan lost to Barral at ADCC, and I would've loved to have seen a Keenan x Lovato jr finals match.