Many Fans And Analysts Believe That ‘Blessed’ is the Greatest UFC Featherweight Fighter Ever… However, Two Other Men Can Lay Claim to that Title…
The way Max Holloway dissected Brian Ortega in the fourth round of their UFC 231 main event in Toronto was both brilliant and disturbing to watch. Ortega was hapless as ‘Blessed’ picked him apart with an endless selection of shots to the head and body. Finally, the doctor stopped the fight at the end of the round.
This was the Hawaiian’s third title defence, with all three ending by way of stoppage. He’s now riding a 13-fight win streak, winning all four of his last fights by TKO. Joe Rogan is in no doubt that Holloway is the best ever, but can he really lay claim to that crown?
Two other fighters are in the featherweight GOAT discussion. Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor both could make arguments that they’re the best ever. What do you think?
Aldo
Jose Aldo remains the most successful lightweight champion ever. He inherited the title when WEC merged with the UFC and still has the most title defences in division (7). Aldo once had an 18-fight win streak and looked absolutely unstoppable until Mister McGregor came along.
It’s easy to forget just how good he was in his prime. His list of scalps includes Chad Mendes, Frankie Edgar, Korean Zombie, and Ricardo Lamas. He basically cleared out the division. For many, Aldo remains the GOAT for now, because of his longevity and the title defence records he has set.
McGregor
Let’s be real: McGregor isn’t the greatest featherweight champion of all time. That’s not hating on ‘The Notorious;’ it’s just a fact. With a grand total of zero title defences, he’s ruled out of the discussion. That might hurt Dillon Danis’s feelings, but we’re willing to go there.
However, he can definitely lay claim to the most exciting title run – arguably in the entire history of the UFC. While fans of the Irishman will point out that he has victories over both Holloway and Aldo, there are problems with this logic. The first is that he beat 22-year-old, 2013 Max Holloway. That’s like beating up Peter Parker before he got bit by the spider.
And while his win over Aldo was momentous, spectacular and record-breaking, it was also a freak occurrence. They didn’t really actually fight. Who knows how it would have gone down if they actually went deep into the third or fourth round? That’s the McGregor rematch we should have got.
Nearly There
Holloway himself believes that Aldo is still the No. 1. He told a reporter at the post-fight press conference:
“I still believe the greatest featherweight of all time is Jose Aldo. When I’m 30 or 31, or his age, then you ask me if I’m the greatest featherweight of all time if I’m still here. But, at the end of the day, I just want to be pound for pound No. 1.”
That’s fair. A couple more title defences and the Hawaiian will definitely be able to lay claim to the title. Especially if he keeps finishing opponents. The most important thing is that he’s fit and healthy. Regardless of all the GOAT talk, he’s a very special fighter.
