Fighters come and fighters go. And the answer to the question of “who’s the GOAT” changes like a thirteen-year old girls taste in music. But GOAT status is long term and that can only truly and honestly be discussed post-career. However, one thing that is undeniable is ones resume. Did you go down a murderer’s row, or did you cherry pick your way through a career. There’s hundreds of MMA fighters throughout all organizations, but the spearhead of the list who have best present MMA resume, sit in the UFC. In this; losses aren’t deal breakers. Especially if lessons learned springboard you further. It’s NOT a case of are you undefeated, it’s WHO you’ve beaten.
Best Present MMA Resume: Number 3, Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier is as hard as they come. And going back to when he entered the UFC in 2011, he’s taken the murderer’s row approach. Is he the flashiest? Not at all, but he doesn’t need to be. His ground game is very much underrated and he can “bang” when necessary.
Let’s delve deeper to what he’s done. He built up slowly in the UFC continuing a win streak (including finishing a young Max Holloway). “The Diamond” dropped his first real test in Chan Sung Jung. He bounced back and then took a lot of lessons from his loss to Cub Swanson. His next loss came to Conor McGregor. But as he himself has spoken about to death, he was not in control. Poirier continued to rebuild himself without ducking or pulling out of fights.
The 2014 McGregor was special, but not what he became. When Poirier took on Eddie Alvarez (who himself has a sick resume across four organizations); he started to level up. Poirier ran it back with Alvarez and Holloway, and twice more with McGregor. All of whom were better than in their first battles. Throw in a sniper like Dan Hooker and a machine like Khabib Nurmagomedov; you can see that his resume places him on a different level than many. Going from puncher to grappler and then back is tougher than four month old bread at this level.
Number 2: Max Holloway
Max Holloway is the youngest on the short list, but he’s the most interesting case of the three. “Blessed” jumped right into the deep end of the pool, losing his debut to Poirier. Bounced back solidly, and then took that step up again. Only to lose back-to-back fights. But lessons to Dennis Bermudez and McGregor served him well. He rolled wins for six-straight years. He beat everyone from veterans, to young guns, in stand up and on the mat. And what helps separate him from the pack is not teachable. Is gas tank. Next to Colby Covington, his is the best in MMA.
Since that streak ended he’s gone to the cards his last six-fights. However the list of fighters and their credentials are off the charts; especially waxing Jose Aldo in back-to-back fights. And now he has options, which will only help grow that resume. He can trilogy Alexander Volkanovski, or rematch McGregor. Word is Zabit Magomedsharipov is on his way back to the octagon. That would be a solid name on his resume to add also. Holloway could head back up to 155, but the majority of them despite his output, would have their way with the Hawaiian.
Best Present MMA Resume: Number 1: Amanda Nunes
The double-champ, Amanda Nunes; has literally faced champions and the best of the best. Presently on a 12-fight win streak, eight are against those that held titles. And that’s across two divisions, and some rematches. And that right there is the best argument for best resume right now in MMA.
Although, let’s face facts however, the UFC’s women’s featherweight division, is hardly a division. But she’s still going up and down. According to Dana White, that ride ends, when she decides it’s done. And that’s a huge admission for White to allow someone other than him to call a shot.
She’s on a Jon Jones trajectory, minus the problems. She’s cleaned out divisions and with her punching power, and mat skills; no one can figure out her riddle. Nunes is the best well rounded fighter on the roster taking everything into the equation. Her power, hand speed has not diminished. It’s nearing a point where the UFC may have to find some hot new talent to bring in. Or she can just keep recycling opponents.
The Past
Yes, fighters like GSP, Henry Cejudo, Jones have cleaned out divisions multiple times and did it more violently than these three. However, Pierre and “Triple C” is past, and Jones whether like it or not will always have the specter of, “is he clean or not”. The list isn’t harden fact in stone. It’s an open debate; but it is accurate. While many fighters like to hear themselves talk, and “call out” others; these three at least do something about it.
