In the case of the undisputed GOATs of MMA, Joe Rogan has three names in thoughts — and none of them are Jon Jones or Georges St-Pierre.
The talk over who must be hailed as the best combined martial artist of all time has been raging on for years. Not too long ago, Dana White made his opinion abundantly clear by dubbing ‘Bones’ Jones the undisputed GOAT and getting straight-up argumentative with anybody who disagreed.
However in accordance with the longtime UFC colour commentator, Jones doesn’t even rank within the prime three.
Throughout an episode of his ever-popular podcast, The Joe Rogan Expertise, the previous Concern Issue host shared who he sees topping the checklist, beginning with the very best middleweight champion of all time, Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva.
“You gotta have a look at them on this window of time,” Rogan stated. “And typically it’s just some years the place they’re carrying out issues in a method that it’s extraordinary you go, ‘I’ve by no means seen anyone higher’. Anderson Silva, when he was in his prime, he was working at a special pace than [his opponents]. He was processing issues with like a 2024 laptop, and so they have been utilizing a Home windows ’95” (h/t GiveMeSport).
Up subsequent for Rogan, and maybe probably the most controversial choose, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“That’s simply how good Khabib was (on his wins over Poirier & Gaethje),” Rogan continued. “He’s so good. It’s virtually a tragedy that he by no means desires to struggle once more. He’ll exit, indubitably, as one of many biggest to ever do it. If not the very best ever, he’s positively within the argument.”
The Eagle’ went 29-0 in his illustrious profession and retired because the UFC light-weight world champion following a trio of profitable title defenses in opposition to Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. Nevertheless, some dispute Nurmagomedov’s standing as considered one of MMA’s greats, noting his lack of notable opponents outdoors of the three names talked about above.
Joe Rogan closes out his checklist with flyweight nice demetrious Johnson
Final however actually not least for Rogan was Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson. Because the UFC’s first-ever flyweight titleholder, efficiently defended his belt an unbelievable 11 occasions, securing the file for many consecutive title defenses in promotional historical past.
Johnson additionally holds the file for many submission wins in UFC title fights and was simply the second fighter in UFC historical past to seize efficiency bonuses in all 4 classes — Battle, Knockout, Efficiency, and Submission.
“When he was in his prime, ‘May Mouse’ was a motherf*cker to observe,” Rogan stated. “He would do sh*t that nobody might do. There’s not a champion alive that may do this [suplex] the way in which “Mighty Mouse” can do this. When [Johnson] fought [Henry] Cejudo the primary time, it was a masterclass. I preserve that he’s the best expression of martial arts I’ve ever seen.”
Even after leaving the UFC, Johnson’s dominance continued beneath the ONE Championship banner. He went on to win the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix event earlier than claiming the ONE flyweight championship.
He additionally competed within the promotion’s first-ever mixed-rules bout, scoring a second-round submission victory over Muay Thai icon Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
