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Fighters who are disqualified from GOAT consideration
(1) A fighter who fought mostly outside the UFC
Dana sucks and the fighters need a union. That being said, the UFC is the major leagues of MMA. It's not perfect but it beats a promotion with fixed fights and referees wearing earpieces. A football player who mostly played in the CFL, Arena Football, and/or college is on no one's top 1000 list of greatest players.
(2) A fighter who mostly fought in non-Unified Rules MMA
Many were legit pioneers no doubt. But they plied their trade with McDojo frauds, cab drivers, and toughman competitors.
Bare minimum criteria for GOAT consideration
(1) A fighter must have 15 wins in the UFC under the Unified Rules
(2) A fighter must have at least five title defenses under the Unified Rules
(3) The two criteria above must be within the GOAT Consideration Period.
GOAT Consideration Period
(1) It starts with the fighter's first fight in the UFC under the Unified Rules (win or lose)
(2) It ends with their 15th win or 5th title defense, whichever comes later.
(3) Within the period described above, they have at least a 80% win ratio. Having 15 wins in the UFC, while hard, is not an insurmountable task. Not losing is the GOAT-level accomplishment.
For example, GSP's first fight was in Jan. 2004 and his 15th win and fifth title defense was in December 2010). His record within that period was 15-2
Anderson is 15-0 (June 2006 to July 2012)
Jon Jones is 15-1 (Aug. 2008 to Jan. 2015)
I include a cutoff date so that a fighter's past their prime fights do not become an unfair consideration. However, these fights can be considered as a secondary factor when comparing GOAT candidates to each other.
Final thoughts
It's strict numbers. It's not best trash talker or best can crusher in PRIDE.
The standard established by GSP, Jones, Anderson, etc., is stringent but should not be tinkered with. No reason to lower it for others.
GOAT is not a participation trophy.
(1) A fighter who fought mostly outside the UFC
Dana sucks and the fighters need a union. That being said, the UFC is the major leagues of MMA. It's not perfect but it beats a promotion with fixed fights and referees wearing earpieces. A football player who mostly played in the CFL, Arena Football, and/or college is on no one's top 1000 list of greatest players.
(2) A fighter who mostly fought in non-Unified Rules MMA
Many were legit pioneers no doubt. But they plied their trade with McDojo frauds, cab drivers, and toughman competitors.
Bare minimum criteria for GOAT consideration
(1) A fighter must have 15 wins in the UFC under the Unified Rules
(2) A fighter must have at least five title defenses under the Unified Rules
(3) The two criteria above must be within the GOAT Consideration Period.
GOAT Consideration Period
(1) It starts with the fighter's first fight in the UFC under the Unified Rules (win or lose)
(2) It ends with their 15th win or 5th title defense, whichever comes later.
(3) Within the period described above, they have at least a 80% win ratio. Having 15 wins in the UFC, while hard, is not an insurmountable task. Not losing is the GOAT-level accomplishment.
For example, GSP's first fight was in Jan. 2004 and his 15th win and fifth title defense was in December 2010). His record within that period was 15-2
Anderson is 15-0 (June 2006 to July 2012)
Jon Jones is 15-1 (Aug. 2008 to Jan. 2015)
I include a cutoff date so that a fighter's past their prime fights do not become an unfair consideration. However, these fights can be considered as a secondary factor when comparing GOAT candidates to each other.
Final thoughts
It's strict numbers. It's not best trash talker or best can crusher in PRIDE.
The standard established by GSP, Jones, Anderson, etc., is stringent but should not be tinkered with. No reason to lower it for others.
GOAT is not a participation trophy.
