This is a very good post. I think it’s possible to put Khabib higher on the GOAT list than Aldo, but it must be based on criteria that heavily favors the eye test and dominance and which punishes late career losses. I have Aldo ahead of Khabib because I think accomplishments are the first criteria, and the eye test is more of a tie breaker.
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the only time khabib and goat should be in the same conversation is like “hey khabib you caveman, stop fucking that goat”
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even their “fucking” goats have beards
I agree with that criteria. Khabib’s time at the top is too short to be considered a GOAT. To even have him in the conversation is based solely on eye tests tbh. He won the title facing Raging Al. Not GOAT conversation. Defended against a guy with one LW win ever, not GOAT conversation. Poirier and Gaethje are great wins, but it’s not enough to be considered a GOAT. Not even close.
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I think that absolutely dominating a prime RDA, Dustin, Gaethje, and Conor is enough to be an all-time great, but not the GOAT.
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But look how well Al has looked since then.
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Note the complete lack of wrestlers (i.e. wrestlers known for their wrestling in MMA) on that list.
Al beat the crap out of Kevin Lee after that fight.
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That list has two UFC LW champions and two interim champions. Gaethje’s performance against Chandler shows that his TDD is excellent. He also has wins against Trujillo and Shalrous.
I’m not sure why people think it’s a knock on Khabib to cite shitty fighters who he beat. That doesn’t help his case, but it doesn’t hurt it, either. What matters is the good fighters whom he beat.
He only beat two of them so not much of an argument there.
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Comparing opponents, Khabob has nothing on Aldo’s list.
When he was fighting half his career against people NOBODY has heard of, 10 fights against the B-team and the last few against A-listers. Aldo was fighting nothing but top 10 and usually the 2nd best in the world for the last 15 years.
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He has nothing compared to the depth of Aldo’s list.
At the top, it’s competitive: Frankie x 2, Faber, Mendes x 2.
Versus
Conor, Dustin, Gaethje, RDA, and Al/Edson.
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Another thing to consider about this comparison and their respective longevity is take a look at their Pre UFC Careers:
Khabib had 16 fights against as people have pointed out above fighters with 0 wins or 0 fights
Aldo had 19 fights against the Best Fighters in the world before he was even in the UFC. Was a Champion in the WEC…beat guys like Urijah Faber, Mike Brown, had a 8 second double flying knee KO of Cub Swanson a decade before Masvidal had his 5 second flying knee KO, before there was that highlight there was Aldos.
I knew who Aldo was before he was even in the WEC let alone the UFC.
He beat Pequeno Nogueira who at the time was one of the best FW fighters in the world. No one even mentions this win because Aldos Resume is so stacked.
I bet on him in this fight and Aldo was over a +200 Underdog against Noguira!! If I remember correctly. Hard to imagine now.
After that fight I told my friend this guy is the Future of The Sport. Funny he did the same to me with Max Holloway and I didn’t see it at the time but he was right that Max carried the torch after as the Next Generation.
Aldo’s Resume and Accomplishments are truly Legendary and now span the 2000s, 2010s, and now 2020s!
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That list sucks
Seriously? He fought 20lbs lighter and you’re going to compare opponents? I guess GSP is not much smaller than DC, just a little shorter. So let’s compare their opponents and talk down of GSP for it.
You’re right that it’s hard to compare GOATS. But a short reign at the top shouldn’t warrant anyone of GOAT status imo. A few strong performances and basing everything on speculation.
Machida should’ve retired before he fought Shogun, everyone would think he’s invincible too
Another crazy fact about this comparison
Khabib made his Pro MMA debut in September of 2008
By this time Aldo was already a double digit fight veteran and in the WEC and had already beaten one of the best FW fighters in the world in the Shooto Champ Nogueira.
So Aldo was in the WEC fighting at the highest level before Khabib even had his first fight… and then continued at the top level all through both their whole careers and now we are in 2021 over a year after Khabib retired and Aldo just beat a younger Top 5 fighter from the Next Generation after him convincingly.
That is the definition of Longevity
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100%.
Khabob isnt top 20.
His title defense run was two featherweights and justin gatche. He “won” his title from Al Iaquinta.
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I see your point. We just have different veiws on what elite is.