no way. up until khabib became champ, people complained about his boring “suffocating” style. the excitement around his fights (which only emerged once he was champ) came from (1) his fans, who were excited to cheer for him in religious solidarity, and (2) the fact that conor put him over as a star. nothing about his grappling heavy style was any more “violent” or “exciting” to anyone else’s. to be fair, his championship fights were the most exciting fights he ever had. but there were so few, it’s a stretch to assume he could “do that to any man.”
the simple fact is when cory does it, people will perceive it as boring. cory doesn’t have a nation behind him. he doesn’t have a religion behind him. he doesn’t have a brash, charismatic personality. all he has is a reputation as an exciting standup fighter, which he did not live up to tonight. had his original opponent showed up and won in similar “suffocating” fashion, there would be accolades from the usual suspects, we’d be hearing about he’s the next khabib. everyone knows it.