McGregor Currently Rates Silva As GOAT
Conor McGregor doesn’t believe he’s the greatest fighter of all time (GOAT) — but according to him, that will change by the time he’s finished with the sport.
On Saturday, McGregor reopened the GOAT debate with a thread on Twitter as he believes former middleweight king Anderson Silva currently reigns with that accolade.
Coincidentally, the Irishman put himself in second with his reasoning being that the two of them have the most array of finishes in different divisions.
“GOAT THREAD. The array of finishes, across 2 divisions, with champion status in 1, Anderson Silva is No.1 MMA GOAT. My array of finishes, across 3 divisions, with champion status in 2, I’m No.2. If not tied 1. However still active, No.1 is fully secured by career end. And easily.”
GOAT THREAD.
The array of finishes, across 2 divisions, with champion status in 1, Anderson Silva is No.1 MMA GOAT.
My array of finishes, across 3 divisions, with champion status in 2, I’m No.2. If not tied 1.
However still active, No.1 is fully secured by career end. And easily.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 23, 2020
Meanwhile, McGregor has Georges St-Pierre at number three while current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is at number four. He explained his reasoning for those somewhat controversial rankings.
“GSP is in at 3. Much less array of finishes but champion status in 2. He is far behind though. Reasons = Left 170 after much damage taken+questionable decision. Never re-engaged 170lb successors. Bottled Anderson fight. Only moved when one eyed fighter presented. Played safe.
“Jon is 4. Maybe tied 3. More array of finishes than 3 and still active, but champion status in just 1. Reasons = Multiple lacklustre decision performances + questionable decision win. Attempting to safe play HW entry/avoiding its champion.”
GSP is in at 3. Much less array of finishes but champion status in 2. He is far behind though. Reasons = Left 170 after much damage taken+questionable decision. Never re-engaged 170lb successors. Bottled Anderson fight. Only moved when one eyed fighter presented. Played safe.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 23, 2020
Jon is 4. Maybe tied 3. More array of finishes than 3 and still active, but champion status in just 1. Reasons = Multiple lacklustre decision performances + questionable decision win. Attempting to safe play HW entry/avoiding its champion.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 23, 2020
The former two-weight champion also gave his thoughts on how PEDs affect the debate.
“I didn’t mentions PED results on multiple entrants, even though that makes me the clear current No.1 MMA GOAT, along with still being active. Although it shames, as well as puts all runs+finishes in complete doubt, I’ve snored multiple juice heads. A true GOAT must do it all.”
I didn’t mentions PED results on multiple entrants, even though that makes me the clear current No.1 MMA GOAT, along with still being active.
Although it shames, as well as puts all runs+finishes in complete doubt, I’ve snored multiple juice heads.
A true GOAT must do it all.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 23, 2020
McGregor expanded further with some more thoughts soon after.
“Clarity on Silva’s earlier no.1 spot. Most stylistic finishes on resume. Front kicks to face. Up elbow (albeit outside UFC) Thai plum knees leading to broken facial bones. Long list of jaw dropping finishes. Myself/Anderson have the most exciting/important finishes in the sport!
“And I’m only warming up.
“One more on George/Jon decision that will clear why I originally gave George 3 and Jon 4 before a maybe tied 3. A lot of Jons opponents were Anderson’s 185lb opponents but the array of stoppages where not there, or nowhere near Anderson’s despite the weight advantage to do so.”
Clarity on Silva’s earlier no.1 spot. Most stylistic finishes on resume. Front kicks to face. Up elbow (albeit outside UFC) Thai plum knees leading to broken facial bones. Long list of jaw dropping finishes. Myself/Anderson have the most exciting/important finishes in the sport!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 23, 2020
And I’m only warming up.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 23, 2020
One more on George/Jon decision that will clear why I originally gave George 3 and Jon 4 before a maybe tied 3. A lot of Jons opponents were Anderson’s 185lb opponents but the array of stoppages where not there, or nowhere near Anderson’s despite the weight advantage to do so.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 23, 2020
As for Demetrious Johnson, McGregor has great respect for the former UFC flyweight champion. However, there are factors that affect his standing as a GOAT.
“Love Mighty Mouse. Always give him credit. One of the most skilled! But in a limited competition division, he eventually left the top tier organisation after losing a match that was then 1-1. Plus he lost his up weight world title attempt against Dominic Cruz.”
Love Mighty Mouse. Always give him credit. One of the most skilled! But in a limited competition division, he eventually left the top tier organisation after losing a match that was then 1-1. Plus he lost his up weight world title attempt against Dominic Cruz.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 23, 2020
Of course, it wouldn’t be a McGregor rant without acknowledging Khabib Nurmagomedov. Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t feel “The Eagle” is worthy of being in the discussion.
“Fancy record but a way to go before any GOAT entry. Only HL is win over me with hangover and broken foot. Other than that, made Iaquintas career with bad performance before Cerrone ended it again. 3rds to get Poirier out. 0 array of finishes. Bottled many bouts. Zero else of note”
Fancy record but a way to go before any GOAT entry. Only HL is win over me with hangover and broken foot. Other than that, made Iaquintas career with bad performance before Cerrone ended it again. 3rds to get Poirier out. 0 array of finishes. Bottled many bouts. Zero else of note
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 23, 2020
It’s not a surprise that McGregor’s thread has caused a storm and plenty of debate in the mixed martial arts world since.
