Max Holloway. Gone off the boil as of late but his body of work is outstanding, comes across as genuine and respectful in and out of the octagon, a future HOF candidate surely.
Jon Jones. As above seemingly past his peak but destroyed opponents in his glory days, personal issues aside I can't argue against GOAT status.
Justin Gaethje. Other than hating having to spell check his name each time I write it, Justin always entertains and after the Tony fight we could see him evolve into a lean precise striker with immense power. very scary individual but a good human being.
Khabib. Polarising style but no less effective, the sheer desperation on both Edson and Dustin's face's during their matches is a look you'll never see another fighter inspire in his opponents. truly elite.
Jose Aldo. Aside from Conor Jose even in his losses always looked every inch the champion, such savagery and explosiveness is rare, still competitive now after his first pro fight some sixteen years ago.
Nice change of pace in threads TS, we could use some light hearted stuff like this in the Heavies from time to time.
1. Israel Adesanya: Dude's the whole package, backs his talk up, and is one of most skilled fighters in MMA history. He gave you ungrateful basement dwellers the best fight ever. Can't wait to see how his future unfolds.
2. Max Holloway: It is what it is, blessed era Foreva. Seriously though, Max is one of the funnest fighters to watch. Will always be on his train.
3. Justin Gaethje: This man just isn't in bad fights. You can show this guy's highlight reel to just about anyone and get them interested in MMA. Much more excited to see his future now that his mental caught up to his physical.
4. Kelvin Gastelum: The other half of the best fight ever. Supremely talented natural born fighter, that said it's frustrating to see him not take his conditioning and dieting seriously while simultaneously posting his hashtag all over the place #OnAMissionForGold. Would be much higher on my list if he where a true professional. That said , as he is now the man puts on amazing fights. The dude had dropped every single one of his opponents at MW before he underestimated Till.
5. Dan Hooker: I'll admit my interest in him only went up after finding out about his association with Izzy. I'm a pretty big fan of the entire City Kickboxing team, love their style. Dan's been really stepping up his game since Izzy started becoming a star in the UFC. His growth and finishes have been a pleasure to watch.
HM: Calvin Kattar, Rob Font, KZ, Más, Cejudo
Probation: DC, TJ, Conor
Like
Solid list, like
1.) Israel Adesanya became he does it all usually in style. Always smart and Tactical. Never wild. Striker. Great interviews.
2.) Jorge Masvidal Tactical yet vicious. Well rounded striker.
3.) Jared Cannonier on a tear like Jorge. Dark horse in the division and everyone is ducking him.
4.) Paula Costa a brute who always presses forward. Somewhat dirty and tries to play the bully but it makes for entertainment.
5.) Korean Zombie (Fuck you zombie for koing my boy Frankie but I can't wait until he smashes Ortega.) Always puts on a show and put on a master class against Edgar.
These guys are putting on the most entertaining fights at an elite level for me.
Honorable mentions
Frankie Edgar is always my boy but it's time to hang em up.
Wonderboy is someone whose style I always enjoy although I didn't root him against Woodley and I don't really care much about Woodley.
O' Malley was really impressive, I wanna see more.
3. Colby Covington - Don't care for all his out of ring bs but as a fighter, brings incredible intensity and cardio, makes great fighters look like amateurs
Sorry if I sound like a judgemental dickhead.... but you chose a decision grappler with a shitty contrived "brand" as your 3rd favorite fighter on Earth... and you're aware he's an ass, outside of the cage? There's dozens of more exciting good fighters out there...
Okay, the rest of your list is understandable... but Colby? Really?
Like for post comment content and Always Sunny meme.Sorry if I sound like a judgemental dickhead.... but you chose a decision grappler with a shitty contrived "brand" as your 3rd favorite fighter on Earth... and you're aware he's an ass, outside of the cage? There's dozens of more exciting good fighters out there...
Okay, the rest of your list is understandable... but Colby? Really?
OH MY GOD PAULO ODBELIS GOT BANNED HE WAS SUCH A LONG TIME SOLID POSTERKhabib
Ferguson
Justin & Dustin
SOG
I see a pattern. Let me guess the next 5: Couture, Correia, Cote, Carwin and Coulter?No order-
Costa
Conor
Colby
Carlyle
Cormier