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Charlie Foley

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It would be a good fight. Oliveira is more complete in all aspects, but Dustin is probably a slightly better puncher - although after just watching this, I'd say its very close.
I hope that fight isn’t too far away. I think Dustin wins the trilogy this summer, and then... I mean Oliveira would ruin Conor if it came down to them
 

Paxi

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Peace out to Tony Ferguson. It was fun seen you cut people up, bro. Don't do some Diego shit, now.
 

Raoul

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I hope that fight isn’t too far away. I think Dustin wins the trilogy this summer, and then... I mean Oliveira would ruin Conor if it came down to them
Yeah I think Conor would end in a first round submission. Olivera still has Dustin and Justin to go through so the next 18 months should be fun. Possibly Dariush as well.
 

Paxi

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Yeah I think Conor would end in a first round submission. Olivera still has Dustin and Justin to go through so the next 18 months should be fun. Possibly Dariush as well.
This would be very fun.
 

Dirty Schwein

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Dariush looks like a younger version of my dad :lol:

What the hell was that post fight interview?

Glad Olives won. I still remember on the card where Nate beat Johnson, Olives got a won and in the post fight, meekly called out McGregor.

The commentary team laughed at him.

We'll see McGregor come begging now.

Great fight!
 

Andersons Dietician

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So glad Olivera won. I had a bet on the 2nd by submission though. His problem is he’s not as good as Justin, not as good as Dustin and would probably get smoked by MCGregor too. Takes way too many punches for someone who is such a good technician in his throwing.

See what happens next but Justin must be ready to go now and probably be a wait till after Connor Dustin prt 3 is done. Whoever wins that surely gets next and Holloway surely must be thinking of a return to 155.

Kahbib would have rag dolled both of them.
 

Hernandez - BFA

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Pretty meh card in general - Barbosa-Burgos and Charles-Chandler saved it.
What an unbelievable first round in the main event. By no means am I saying that Oliveira would beat Khabib, let alone make it competitive, but it would've been very interesting/fun to see Oliveira go to ground with Khabib. If Oliveria gets the guillotine that Poirer got Khabib in - I'm convinced it would be a different outcome.
 

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So glad Olivera won. I had a bet on the 2nd by submission though. His problem is he’s not as good as Justin, not as good as Dustin and would probably get smoked by MCGregor too. Takes way too many punches for someone who is such a good technician in his throwing.

See what happens next but Justin must be ready to go now and probably be a wait till after Connor Dustin prt 3 is done. Whoever wins that surely gets next and Holloway surely must be thinking of a return to 155.

Kahbib would have rag dolled both of them.
I just don't know about this. Oliveira's ground game is pretty much on par with Khabib's, albeit one is BJJ focused and the other Sambo. Oliveira's striking is better than Khabib's because he uses all the weapons, whereas Khabib relied largely on punches and feigns to set up his shoots.
 

Andersons Dietician

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You don't think Oliveira is capable of submitting Khabib ?
I think anyone is capable of anything within the cage but Kahbib has been in with dangerous Submission guys before and man handled them. Kahbib man handles state champions above his weight class like they are nothing. Kahbib is a whole other level of wrestling compared to pretty much everyone.

He’ll shoot he’ll take him down he’ll grape vine the legs like he always does then just smash Olivera.
 

Raoul

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I think anyone is capable of anything within the cage but Kahbib has been in with dangerous Submission guys before and man handled them. Kahbib man handles state champions above his weight class like they are nothing. Kahbib is a whole other level of wrestling compared to pretty much everyone.

He’ll shoot he’ll take him down he’ll grape vine the legs like he always does then just smash Olivera.
I think it would be a great matchup with no guarantees. Oliveira is the best in the UFC on the ground at the moment imo, simply because he can submit an opponent at any moment, even off his back; so many of the advantages Khabib normally brings to the table against ordinary opponents would be largely mitigated against someone of Oliveira's calibre. I think Khabib retired at the right time since LW is stronger now than over and he would've probably gotten his first loss had he remained active.
 

bsCallout

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Predicted Oliveira would be the 155 champ about 18 months ago. When Chandler came in I actually expected Oliveira would just get overlooked completely. So glad he got his shot and took it.

Dustin would be a competitive fight.
I think he submits Conor.

Going to be good to see who comes out of their bout to face him.

Justin vs Chandler should be next as well, that'll be a great fight.
 

kidbob

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Pretty meh card in general - Barbosa-Burgos and Charles-Chandler saved it.
What an unbelievable first round in the main event. By no means am I saying that Oliveira would beat Khabib, let alone make it competitive, but it would've been very interesting/fun to see Oliveira go to ground with Khabib. If Oliveria gets the guillotine that Poirer got Khabib in - I'm convinced it would be a different outcome.
Lets be honest Khabib would have destroyed him just like he would have Tony when everyone was calling him a threat. At that weight class the guy was unbeatable.
 

kidbob

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I think it would be a great matchup with no guarantees. Oliveira is the best in the UFC on the ground at the moment imo, simply because he can submit an opponent at any moment, even off his back; so many of the advantages Khabib normally brings to the table against ordinary opponents would be largely mitigated against someone of Oliveira's calibre. I think Khabib retired at the right time since LW is stronger now than over and he would've probably gotten his first loss had he remained active.
I just don't see it to be honest. Khabib has never even been in trouble in a single fight. I like Charles but for me if he next fights Conor, Dustin or Justin then he loses the belt. His best chance is if he gets a half arsed McGregor. I'm happy to be proven wrong but I just don't see it with him. For me Chandler has done nothing to prove he's at that top level so even his win last night was a bit meh. If Max moved up now he would smoke him too.
 

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Lets be honest Khabib would have destroyed him just like he would have Tony when everyone was calling him a threat. At that weight class the guy was unbeatable.
I think people are getting a bit carried away with the legend of Khabib. Let's not forget he came very, very close to getting submitted by Poirier, who isn't nearly as good on the ground as Oliveira.
 

kidbob

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I think people are getting a bit carried away with the legend of Khabib. Let's not forget he came very, very close to getting submitted by Poirier, who isn't nearly as good on the ground as Oliveira.
I actually think, as close as the sub may have been initially, that he quickly realised he was fine and let Dustin blow his arms out. I'm not carried away with him at all but for me there isn't a single fighter in the LW division right now that beats him. I don't think you do it on the ground but instead it would be someone who can fight the takedowns and force a striking match. Charles of course could catch him but for me its the same odds as Conor catching him with the perfect KO shot. His understanding of the ground game is honestly incredible.
 

Raoul

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I actually think, as close as the sub may have been initially, that he quickly realised he was fine and let Dustin blow his arms out. I'm not carried away with him at all but for me there isn't a single fighter in the LW division right now that beats him. I don't think you do it on the ground but instead it would be someone who can fight the takedowns and force a striking match. Charles of course could catch him but for me its the same odds as Conor catching him with the perfect KO shot. His understanding of the ground game is honestly incredible.
I think Oliveira would have a fair chance at winning. He's the best grappler in MMA right now and would be on par with Khabib in terms of ground game if the latter was still fighting. I think Oliveira has a better stand up and is all around the better fighter since he, much like peak Jon Jones from a few years ago, expertly uses every part of his body to attack his opponents and has demonstrated a deadly combination of cardio, ground submission skills, and standup that no other fighter has at the moment.
 

bsCallout

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Oliveira's skillset would be great for a fight against Khabib, he throws great leg kicks, he strikes better than Khabib and he is very comfortable on the floor(and very strong). It is definitely not an easy fight for Khabib, you obviously EXPECT he would win, because he's never lost but out of everyone at that weight I think CO has the skillset.

Ultimately Khabib might well be too strong(and heavy) on the night.

I don't think Khabib could make that weight now, he's been enjoying his retirement.

Oh and the cards were definitely shocking.
 

Paxi

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I think if Khabib comes back it will be at 170 for the belt but not against Usman obviously -- unless they have some major, major falling out, Cody Dillashaw type fallout.
 

Andersons Dietician

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I just don't see it to be honest. Khabib has never even been in trouble in a single fight. I like Charles but for me if he next fights Conor, Dustin or Justin then he loses the belt. His best chance is if he gets a half arsed McGregor. I'm happy to be proven wrong but I just don't see it with him. For me Chandler has done nothing to prove he's at that top level so even his win last night was a bit meh. If Max moved up now he would smoke him too.
See I’m of the same opinion. I’ve always liked him and am glad he won but having seen him for over a decade I just don’t think he beats the 4 you’ve mentioned. Of course he always has a chance as he’s great at getting a choke but he is also quite susceptible to it himself and takes way too many hits. Last night was really quite poor in terms of quality and people probably only found out about him recently because he beat former golden boy Tony.

I think Max knocked him out in 1 round last time they fought and I just feel that if Justin, Poirer or Connor hit him he’s not getting back up. Been stopped by Felder, Cowboy and Swanson.

This talk of him being the best grappler is poppy cock. Good at chokes/submissions but in a promotion that has Jones, Dern, Suarez, Usman,Souza, Maia, Kol, Bernuche and many more it’s hard to say he is the Best “grappler” is he dangerous yes. But more to grappling than just chokes.
 

Duafc

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See I’m of the same opinion. I’ve always liked him and am glad he won but having seen him for over a decade I just don’t think he beats the 4 you’ve mentioned. Of course he always has a chance as he’s great at getting a choke but he is also quite susceptible to it himself and takes way too many hits. Last night was really quite poor in terms of quality and people probably only found out about him recently because he beat former golden boy Tony.

I think Max knocked him out in 1 round last time they fought and I just feel that if Justin, Poirer or Connor hit him he’s not getting back up. Been stopped by Felder, Cowboy and Swanson.

This talk of him being the best grappler is poppy cock. Good at chokes/submissions but in a promotion that has Jones, Dern, Suarez, Usman,Souza, Maia, Kol, Bernuche and many more it’s hard to say he is the Best “grappler” is he dangerous yes. But more to grappling than just chokes.
Totally agree.

12 - 18 months ago Tony was the best ever match up and was going to give Khabib crazy looks and loads of danger from his back.

3 losses later has absolutely put paid to that myth with him actually having been spared the mauling.

I don't know anyone who has actually followed the UFC over the past decade, who thinks Khabib would smash Ferguson. Khabib is better on the ground but Tony is probably the better all around fighter in terms of having a broader variety of striking, better stamina, and incredible heart. This is why it would be a chess match of a fight where it would be impossible to say who would have the upper hand.
Replace Ferguson with Oliveira and you have posts on this page - I doubt they will ever be proven as wrong as this was though.
 

Raoul

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Totally agree.

12 - 18 months ago Tony was the best ever match up and was going to give Khabib crazy looks and loads of danger from his back.

3 losses later has absolutely put paid to that myth with him actually having been spared the mauling.



Replace Ferguson with Oliveira and you have posts on this page - I doubt they will ever be proven as wrong as this was though.
This was based on peak Tony who was scheduled to fight Khabib several years ago, not the shell of his former self we've seen over the past few fights. He is clearly no longer the fighter who went on the run he did years ago, which tends to happen once fighters get on the wrong side of their 30s.

Oliveira is currently at his peak and is the best submission specialist in UFC history, which at a minimum would make a Khabib fight competitive. Its actually bizarre that anyone thinks otherwise given that the center of mass in MMA is having a strong ground game.
 

Ladron de redcafe

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I don't know anyone who has actually followed the UFC over the past decade, who thinks Khabib would smash Ferguson. Khabib is better on the ground but Tony is probably the better all around fighter in terms of having a broader variety of striking, better stamina, and incredible heart. This is why it would be a chess match of a fight where it would be impossible to say who would have the upper hand.
This is an absolutely insane post. And only when Ferguson faced high level grapplers (who still aren't in Khabib's league on the ground) did it become abundantly clear to everyone that no version of Ferguson had a chance against Khabib because it's difficult to survive when you're at a disadvantage that drastically on the ground.
 

Duafc

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This was based on peak Tony who was scheduled to fight Khabib several years ago, not the shell of his former self we've seen over the past few fights. He is clearly no longer the fighter who went on the run he did years ago, which tends to happen once fighters get on the wrong side of their 30s.

Oliveira is currently at his peak and is the best submission specialist in UFC history, which at a minimum would make a Khabib fight competitive. Its actually bizarre that anyone thinks otherwise given that the center of mass in MMA is having a strong ground game.
It was January last year, in May Justin smashed him and in December the same year Oliveira! He was 36. Why didn’t this new found wisdom about fighters in their 30s factor when you made the claim last Jan?

Even before that his 12 or however many win streak was on one fight a year with his last fight before your claim against Cerrone!

It was a statement that was wildly carried away with itself and I don’t see that the lesson has been learned.
 

Ladron de redcafe

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This was based on peak Tony who was scheduled to fight Khabib several years ago, not the shell of his former self we've seen over the past few fights. He is clearly no longer the fighter who went on the run he did years ago, which tends to happen once fighters get on the wrong side of their 30s.

Oliveira is currently at his peak and is the best submission specialist in UFC history, which at a minimum would make a Khabib fight competitive. Its actually bizarre that anyone thinks otherwise given that the center of mass in MMA is having a strong ground game.
Khabib would beat Oliviera handidly if they ever fought. But as plenty have pointed out in this thread, even if that fight were to materialize and Khabib were to decimate Charles, there will always be people who would then insist thatnew fighter X matches up most favourably against Khabib.

I remember reading about it before the Conor fight, before Khabib emasculated him, then before the Dustin fight, before Khabib dominated almost the entire fight without breaking a sweat, and most recently before the Gaethje fight, when Gaethje's All American wrestling was supposed to be the antidote to Khabib's sambo.

In all case, Khabib brushed them aside with contempuous ease. And they're all arguably better fighters than Oliviera.
 

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This is an absolutely insane post. And only when Ferguson faced high level grapplers (who still aren't in Khabib's league on the ground) did it become abundantly clear to everyone that no version of Ferguson had a chance against Khabib because it's difficult to survive when you're at a disadvantage that drastically on the ground.
We're not talking about the present. They were supposed to fight at least three times between 2015 to 2019. That's the Ferguson I was referring to.
 

Raoul

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It was January last year, in May Justin smashed him and in December the same year Oliveira! He was 36. Why didn’t this new found wisdom about fighters in their 30s factor when you made the claim last Jan?

Even before that his 12 or however many win streak was on one fight a year with his last fight before your claim against Cerrone!

It was a statement that was wildly carried away with itself and I don’t see that the lesson has been learned.
There's no lesson to be learned. The reason the UFC attempted to make the fight about 4-5 times from 2015 onwards is because they knew these were the two best fighters in the division. Otherwise they wouldn't have wasted their time to continually match them up.
 

Duafc

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Khabib would beat Oliviera handidly if they ever fought. But as plenty have pointed out in this thread, even if that fight were to materialize and Khabib were to decimate Charles, there will always be people who would then insist thatnew fighter X matches up most favourably against Khabib.

I remember reading about it before the Conor fight, before Khabib emasculated him, then before the Dustin fight, before Khabib dominated almost the entire fight without breaking a sweat, and most recently before the Gaethje fight, when Gaethje's All American wrestling was supposed to be the antidote to Khabib's sambo.

In all case, Khabib brushed them aside with contempuous ease. And they're all arguably better fighters than Oliviera.
I think the Gaethje we’ve seen the last year is the most likely to be the dominant one of that group if he maintains his level.

I’d fancy Oliveira against Dustin and especially Conor but I wouldn’t like to bet any of them.
 

Andersons Dietician

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Oliveira is currently at his peak and is the best submission specialist in UFC history
Here is where the fault in your logic lies. Yes he has the most submission victories in the UFC. That however is over 10 years of fighting in the UFC. That does not make him the best submission specialist in UFC. It gives him the most submission finishes. Keep feeding Mackenzie Dern no hopers and she’ll have that beat in half the time.
Heck Kron is still in the UFC as well.
 

Ladron de redcafe

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We're not talking about the present. They were supposed to fight at least three times between 2015 to 2019. That's the Ferguson I was referring to.
But 2019 Tony Ferguson would face the same drastic disadvantage on the ground against Khabib that 2020 Tony Ferguson would. Given that he would have the same problems with takedown defense that current Tony does, what would indicate that 2019 Ferguson would or could have been anything remotely close to competitive against Khabib?