What Makes Jose Aldo So Special?
by Luke Thomas on Nov 19, 2009 1:45 PM EST
in News
88 comments
There are myriad qualities that make Jose Aldo such a special fighter. I encourage readers to list what they believe sets him apart in the comments. I'll get to what really stands out for me in a moment, but AOL Fanhouse's Mike Chiappetta does a nice job of recounting what happened yesterday evening:
Aldo (16-1) is a singular talent in a world of overachievers. Armed with fast-twitch muscle that makes his standup a thing of destructive beauty, a seasoned ground game, surprisingly effective takedown defense and an even fight temperament, the WEC featherweight phenom laid a beating on defending champion Mike Brown, seizing the belt and starting a reign that has every possibility of lasting for years.
In Brown (22-5), the dynamic Brazilian was facing an opponent who was riding a 10-fight win streak. In theory, Brown was supposed to be the kind of fighter who would be Aldo's kryptonite, a rugged wrestler who can take a punch and is able to put nearly everyone on the ground with his tenaciousness. How do you cancel out a puncher's power? Put him on his back.
In practice, it wasn't much of a contest. Aldo was decidedly faster than Brown, getting to his spots quicker, getting in and out with a landed punch or kick before Brown had a chance to respond. He stuffed takedown tries. He outmaneuvered Brown on the ground. It wasn't so much an indictment on Brown as it was a celebration of Aldo, who has authored an early career highlight to rival the greats of MMA history at a similar stage.
Emphasis mine.
Mike's list takes a nice abstract view of things, but I'd like to home in on something more particular that has really stood out: Aldo's reflexive decision-making skills.
In my estimation, what makes Aldo such a terror isn't just his athleticism, speed and well-roundedness (although they are obviously hugely important). Instead, it is his uncanny sharp, snap judgments made when reacting to attacking or moving opponents.
This ability is facilitated by his fast-twitch muscles and athleticism, let there be no doubt. But simply suggesting Aldo throws quick, accurate combinations doesn't properly convey what's happening. He doesn't move forward and duel with opponents. As opponents press forward, throw strikes, lean forward or to the side or just adjust laterally, Aldo is able to read their movements with Matrix-like speed and accuracy. As he is measuring them, he makes lightning fast counterstriking decisions. Not rehearsed or mechanical counterstriking, but improvisational. He reads the moment and reacts. That ability is something he's honed through practice, but is more likely what makes him such a natural at the game. Worse, when his strikes land it's often to devastating effect thereby depriving his opponents of any chance to recover. Most fighters are forced to wade through several series of exchanges to gauge the timing, habits or important eccentricities of their opposition. Not Aldo. He is able to make rapid fire adjustments and decisions, act upon them with ferocity and follow up on damaged or bewildered opponents before they can even defensively cover up. Aldo isn't just winning quickdraw contests; he is fast, yes, but he's actually winning them by being the superior speed chess player. It is his snap judgments made by possible by his athleticism that make him so unique.
Aldo is more than athletic reflexivity. He's an excellent scrambler, hard puncher and well-conditioned athlete. But his ability to play speed chess with dynamite strikes is going to be problematic for featherweights in the WEC. In the blink of an eye, he's attacking openings that are barely there and collapsing the pocket before his opponents even have a chance to react.
Get the highlight reels ready. There's about to be plenty of material.
Photo by Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com.
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That guy is just a little buzz-saw.
Keep firing Assholes!
The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint.
by Ubernoober on Nov 19, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He’s much more of a prime Roy Jones than Tyson like everyone wants to equate him to in that way. He isn’t making you do anything or forcing his way on you, he just knows what you’re about to do before you do and destroys you because of it.
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by Brent Brookhouse on Nov 19, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I was going to say that the above discribtion reminded me alot about what makes...
Anderson Silva so incredible.
by Razreshat on Nov 19, 2009 1:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking this during the fight
I think there are some uncanny similarities between him and Silva. Not only the striking, speed, timing, defense, footwork. But he even has the same willowy, lanky body as Silva. I would say based on lastnight that his sprawl seems a bit better than Silvas. I would love to see him in the UFC at 155.
by SimplePsych on Nov 19, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What an incredible young fighter.
I’ll add to this that he looks to be improving at a torrid pace. 3-4 fights ago he was up against relative WEC nobodies and while he won convincingly, it took him 2-3 rounds to do so (see: Alexandre Franca Nogueira & Jonathan Brookins).
In those fights it was easy to say, “wow, this Aldo kid looks pretty good.”
But in my view the Jose Aldo we saw against Mike Brown was light years ahead of the Aldo 12 months ago starting out in the WEC. He looked FAR stronger and better conditioned in a relatively short amount of time.
What will he look like 2 years from now?
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by GregS123 on Nov 19, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps, just perhaps Chiappetta is a little premature in saying Aldo’s title reign could last for years. Let’s see his first two title defenses and start talking about that if he still has the belt after those.
by lhasafi on Nov 19, 2009 1:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If he crushes Faber, I’ll believe it. Faber gave Brown a lot of problems in the rematch with his own speed, so it should be an interesting fight. Brown’s ultimate weakness was speed, so it isn’t overly surprising that Aldo punched his face in. The surprise was the ground tactics.
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Nov 19, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yep. exactly..
Faber poses some interesting problems as he probably is just as fast, and is unorthodox too.. He really impressed me, but i’d believe it after he fights faber..
the good thing is though, the WEC FW division now potentially has three stars.
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by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Faber is fast but not nearly as fast as Aldo.
"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"
by Warhand on Nov 19, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
probably..
but the point stands. Brown had a huge speed disadvantage, and it will be different for Faber.. Not saying he’ll win, I’m saying lets hold off until we start calling it the Aldo era..
at least until he beats Urijah Faber.
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by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Faber has little chance, but we’ve clearly gone a little overboard declaring people unbeatable (Machida and Torres). I think we need to see a bit more from people before we make those declarations especially in MMA. Right now I’d say the only guys who can’t really be challenged in their weight class are Silva and GSP.
by SES 84 on Nov 19, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Torres != Machida
Having 37 wins, 31 of which by stoppage, one decisively avenged loss, and only a second loss after three dominant title defenses is wildly different than the Lyoto hype after only beating Thiago Silva and Rashad Evans.
by pdl on Nov 19, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and Tito, and BJ Penn, and Soku ANDDD Shogun..
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by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tito was already irrelevant at that point. His last win over somebody who isn’t Ken Shamrock was and still is Forrest. BJ Penn… come on. Soko, although coming off two big wins, was never that good of a fighter. Love the guy, love watching him, but he’s not a top flight win. And even though I disagree wildly with the Shogun decision (please, nobody do the commentary argument, I was there live and couldn’t hear it) there’s no argument that it was not a decisive win.
That’s a quality win for any LW or WW, but when you weigh in at 217, beating BJ is not something to drag out as an achievement. I’d bring up his Rich Franklin win before that…
None of this is to trash Lyoto by the way, that’s not at all the point I was trying to make. I’m saying his hype before the Shogun win was not comparable to Miguel Torres hype, since Miguel had a longer and more accomplished career already. Even now, the jury is still out on if he’s stuck behind a new force at bantamweight or if he just got Serra’d.
by pdl on Nov 19, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Torres’ first 33 fights were all in Indiana. He was crushing a local circuit. It wasn’t until he came to the WEC that he even fought outside his home state. Only his opponents that were fighting for the WEC belt even have wikipedia pages.
I would say they had very similar hype, and Machida having more due to his dominance.
Guillotine.
by iiowyn on Nov 19, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My point
In any case was guys who were declared unbeatable are in fact quite beatable.
As for Lyoto is not just that he had some good victories but also that no one was even touching him especially in the UFC. In any case both guys lost so I don’t want to go off declaring the 10 year reign of anyone.
Lyoto beat Franklin as well.
by SES 84 on Nov 20, 2009 1:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Aldo definitely works on a much higher pace than his opponents, and that makes his decision making capabilities move at a faster pace as well, but Brown had some pretty significant flaws that are only exacerbated by Aldo’s speed.
Brown’s punching power still takes a little speed off his punches. We knew that coming into this fight as Faber was still faster than Brown in the rematch. Furthermore, as mentioned in this piece, Brown came forward as the aggressor while Aldo hung back and countered with quick strikes.
I thought that Aldo’s very stiff stance was actually an advantage. He wasn’t really hopping around like a boxer in his stance, but more of a Muay Thai base in which he was throwing strikes off of with blazing speed.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Nov 19, 2009 1:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know if anyone has really said this, but I thought it was quite clear that by the end of the 1st round, MTB was mentally defeated. He was intimidated, doubted himself, was getting hit hard when he didn’t expect to. He was mentally broken, I really have to say. Round 2 his will to fight was gone… he knew he was outgunned and it culminated in a really poor, ill-advised shot for a takedown.
And I believe that Faber will be a far stronger in the mental game to keep fighting, not make huge mental errors, and keep believing he can find a way to win.
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by GregS123 on Nov 19, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. He didn’t look like a fighter who exuded confidence following that round.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Nov 19, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, definitely didn’t seem like he was into it in the 2nd.
by ufc4 on Nov 19, 2009 2:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
My hunch is that having his takedown attempts stuffed is what did it. He had to have known coming in that Aldo had incredible speed and power, but what no one expected was that his takedown defense was that good. Brown has been able to bully most people with his wrestling, but with that option largely out the window he knew that he was left with few options (hence the reduced confidence).
by Estrada on Nov 19, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hell, he looked nervous before the fight even started
The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering BROCKLESNAR; to the last I grapple with thee.
by judonerd on Nov 19, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
exactly..
i was really impressed when at one point, he was throwing a left, Brown countered with a right, and also was able to twitch (or whatever you call it), change his mind, and block the counter mid punch..
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by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 1:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This quote came to mind
A good martial artist does not become tense but ready. Not thinking yet not dreaming, ready for whatever may come. A martial artist has to take responsibility for himself and face the consequences of his own doing. To have no technique, there is no opponent, because the word “I” does not exist. When the opponent expands I contract and when he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, “I” do not hit, “It” hits all by itself.
Bruce Lee
"Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity." - Bullet Tooth Tony
@deowade
by Deo Wade on Nov 19, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
rec'd
just cause it’s Bruce Lee.
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Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."
by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You just blew my mind.
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Nov 19, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah.
With a baseball bat, while he was asleep.
by lhasafi on Nov 19, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We talking aluminum or wood?
Because I think even in his sleep, muscle memory would snap a wooden bat.
by black dragon on Nov 19, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To expand on the Roy Jones comparison I brought up earlier…
Watch things like how at 27 seconds in he ducks a punch that his opponent hasn’t even thrown yet (which obviously misses once he does throw it) and lands the perfect body counter. It’s a counter…to a punch that hasn’t been thrown yet, just hinted at.
It’s all about mixing the fast twitch with that ability to make complex decisions in an insane amount of time.
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by Brent Brookhouse on Nov 19, 2009 1:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I am suprised that I have read this far down and have not seen a reference to Fedor doing this exact thing against Rogers. I watched the replay of his knockout probably 10 times and after the third or fourth time I realized Fedor dropped into his stance to throw the punch BEFORE Rogers loaded up to punch, as soon as Rogers moved Fedor dropped him.
I think we could find instances like these where all the great fighters are able to get off first, but to do it consistently against the best in your weight class is what sets fighters like Jones, Silva, Fedor, etc. apart as strikers. We will see if Aldo joins this class of fighter after he fights Faber. I think the California Kid might shock some people against Aldo.
by Ulf Murphy on Nov 19, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have only recently become a fan of boxing over the last couple of years, so i don’t know too much about Roy Jones Jr. Before watching that highlight video i was giving my man Danny Green a chance of beating him on December 2nd. But now i have come to the realisation that the biggest boxing fight to ever hit Australian shores is going to consist of the hometown hero getting beaten to a pulp.
That sure is is one impressive highlight reel.
Sorry, he Jason Bourned me.
by MMAussie on Nov 19, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Roy will beat Green. But he’s far from the man who was able to do whatever the hell he wanted in the ring that he was as a young man.
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by Brent Brookhouse on Nov 19, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you Jose Aldo.
I have been waiting for someone to say something about Jose Aldo’s performance last night. Jose Aldo makes his opponents appear to be in slow-motion. Mike Brown looked totally out matched last night. Aldo is so focused on reacting to his opponent and seems to see openings for multiple strikes where other fighter’s don’t see openings at all. His strikes are very quick but he also thinking faster than his opponents. If you are fighting Jose Aldo you can’t stop for even a second to set up anything because he is already there with a knee, two punches and a really hard body or leg kick. I love watching Jose Aldo fight. My only complaint from the fight last night is that it ended to soon.
"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"
by Warhand on Nov 19, 2009 1:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Also on a side note.....
Don’t know if anyone can confirm this but I believe Jose Aldo’s nick name is “The Smiling Squirrel”.
"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"
by Warhand on Nov 19, 2009 1:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I couldn’t believe this, though it’s hilarious, but at least on the WEC site, they just have his nickname as “Junior”. I was thinking “the Mamba” or something :) “Mini-Spider” would be accurate, but a crappy nickname.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 19, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would love to see Aldo eventually go for the 155 belt too.
"I’m not going to stop yelling because that would mean, I lost the fight!"-Kenny Powers
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by ekc on Nov 19, 2009 1:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I would love to see Aldo eventually go for the155135 belt too.
that’s what i want. :)
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Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."
by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I’d like to see him against Torres and Faber both. Bowles is a smaller Mike Brown, so I think Jose would just tear right through him. I don’t like Torres’ chances all that much either. He’s amazing, but just a little slower, and a little less powerful than Aldo. Does have the reach and jab to possibly keep Jose off of him.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 19, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bowles is NOT a smaller Mike Brown.
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by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not saying Bowles is Brown’s P4P equal. But a tough, hard hitting boxer/wrestler, albeit with better speed.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 19, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
cmon man, even the way they fight are different..
what are you talking about. just cause they’re “boxer/wrestlers” doesn’t make them similar.
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Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."
by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What is Aldo’s walking around/pre-camp weight? Could he cut to 135?
by Ulf Murphy on Nov 19, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If i recall correctly, i think he said he’d drop down in weight if he couldn’t get the FW belt… or something like that.. but whatever, he said he can drop down.
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by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I liked how calm Aldo was even if it was on the biggest fight of his career… Sorta like Mousasi in that sense.
weoweoweo.deviantart.com -- @antontabuena
Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."
by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 1:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
but aldo goes wild after, and Mousasi still has his poker face on..
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Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."
by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah Jose was too emotional to throw down a crazy celebration for us, but I bet they’ll return. Mousasi immediately begins contemplating a dinner menu in his head after he wins. “Hmmm…perhaps the prime rib,”
by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 19, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Amazing performance...again.
Just sick reaction time, speed and power. Can’t wait to see him fight Faber. Might be the fastest, most creative MMA fight of all time. Torres would be a hell of a fight as well, though I think Jose might just shred him. I can’t help noticing how Aldo’s is getting the pre-Shogun Machida treatment though. Time will tell if he can maintain that razor sharp focus, poise, and ability to read his opponent and react. No matter what, he is one of my all time favorites to watch.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 19, 2009 1:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If we are gonna fantasize about matchups
I would love to see Aldo-Faber, as the main event in a new years UFC card
by IRodC on Nov 19, 2009 2:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would like to see Aldo Vs BJ if both keep on their streaks, and when the WEC is digested by it’s big brither.
Keep firing Assholes!
The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint.
by Ubernoober on Nov 19, 2009 2:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't see anyone touching Aldo anytime soon.
In fact, I think he will reign atop 145 longer than any fighter currently at #1 in their class… Fedor, Lyoto, Anderson, GSP, BJ, Bowles. I think Aldo will be there longer than all of the above.
Think so?
by TDITZ on Nov 19, 2009 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Fedor’s been reigning since March, 2003 with no end in sight. If Aldo is still the king of 145 in 2015…
Keep firing Assholes!
The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint.
by Ubernoober on Nov 19, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Then Aldo will be 28;
GSP’s age. Not saying he will be dominant that long, but a guy this young who’s already this talented? He has so much time to adapt and grow still, and he doesn’t seem like the type to sleep on any opponent. His biggest enemy now: title/champ jitters.
by pdl on Nov 19, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
People said that about Lyoto, then Shogun showed up
by HighNoon on Nov 19, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
People said that about Lyoto, then Shogun showed up re-emerged
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Robert Downey Sr. on Nov 19, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lyoto won guys.. Sorry..
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Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."
by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
my perception is my reality
The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering BROCKLESNAR; to the last I grapple with thee.
by judonerd on Nov 19, 2009 6:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Aldo doesn't let his opponents see the end of the fight.
That’s the difference I see.
by TDITZ on Nov 19, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Age is gonna end his reign at the top of 145…
Eventually he won’t be able to make the cut and has to settle for fighting at 155 =D
Guillotine.
by iiowyn on Nov 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Aldo/Ben Henderson...
just throwing that out there as a chance to kind of see Aldo vs. a bigger guy who may be able to put him on his back.
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by Brent Brookhouse on Nov 19, 2009 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That would be amazing! Just a Tasmanian Devil blur moving around the cage kicking up a dust cloud.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 19, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i'd like him against faster guys, not slower..
maybe if he does handle faber easily too, he should take on Torres or Bowles..
weoweoweo.deviantart.com -- @antontabuena
Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."
by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ben Henderson is pretty damn fast himself. At least equal to Torres or Bowles.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 19, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
okayyyyy man..
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Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."
by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Aldo, Penn, GSP, Anderson, Brock, (Ill thrown Ben Henderson and Jon Jones in there too)… all have one thing in common: They are all athletic freaks who could easily be successful in several other sports. They are all they kind of guys who learn very quickly, have great instincts and we all hated in high school because everything came easily to them (athletically). As this sport grows, strictly hard work and great technique is not going to be enough.
by ryanwk628 on Nov 19, 2009 2:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
we all hated in high school because everything came easily to them (athletically)
haha!
weoweoweo.deviantart.com -- @antontabuena
Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."
by Anton Tabuena on Nov 19, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the talent pool is getting better and better. The old hard-nosed brawler style guys who can take a ton of punishment, but don’t do anything exceptionally well, are quickly being relegated to gatekeeper, undercard filler status. Speed and reaction time is becoming the new standard of excellence. It’s going to be amazing to see as the quality of raw athletes coming into the sport improves, and these guys start training at younger and younger ages.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 19, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Penn is no athletic freak.
He’s got a great mind for MMA and his technique is wonderful, but as a pure athlete… there are tons of guys I’d rank above him at LW. Anderson as well, to some extent.
by pdl on Nov 19, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Penn is gifted, but I wouldn’t go as far as calling him an athletic freak. He’s got a talent for fighting and he’s flexible, so I guess he’s a freak that way.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on Nov 19, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Penn’s flexibility might have come in handy in say…Figure Skating.
by SES 84 on Nov 19, 2009 3:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he is. There are a lot of pacific islanders who look like fat shits and end up being amazing football players/ wrestlers/ sumo guys etc. Hes not sculpted out of marble, but you have to have amazing athletic ability, muscle memory, strength and instincts to accomplish what he did in BJJ
And have you seen Anderson dance?! Anyone that coordinated and smooth could do anything he wants. Reflexes of a cat too.
by ryanwk628 on Nov 19, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How is he not an athletic freak?
If it wasn’t athleticism, and it wasn’t hard work and dedication, what was it that made him so good so fast at bjj? He won the world championships after only training for three years!
by hlebtasic on Nov 19, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He also hits ridiculously hard for a 155’er.
Guillotine.
by iiowyn on Nov 20, 2009 12:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
All I kept saying during the fight was, “Wow.” There wasn’t much more to say beyond that.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on Nov 19, 2009 2:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
His Training Partner
It really helps to have another top-5 FW at your camp
by HighNoon on Nov 19, 2009 2:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts exactly
“Matrix-like” is the closest I’ve heard to describing his fighting. I wouldn’t compare him to A Silva either, because Aldo doesn’t waste any time.
The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering BROCKLESNAR; to the last I grapple with thee.
by judonerd on Nov 19, 2009 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
True, but wait until he’s been owning everyone like this for 4 or 5 years. I think Anderson’s just sorta like, “Okay, show me what you got,” now. He doesn’t have anything to prove, and no one seems a threat to him, so he’ll let you play for a while. I think Aldo’s a lot less likely to go that many years with no one being able to match him. Another reason to bring these divisions into the UFC in my opinion. More exposure and better pay for the fighters will bring up the level of the division around Jose.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Nov 19, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Spider wastes time to ensure he doesnt get caught. I mean, honestly, I can’t remember the last time he even got hit kinda square standing up. Franklin I?
by Ulf Murphy on Nov 19, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Forrest hit him once right in the face. Nothing happened.
Guillotine.
by iiowyn on Nov 20, 2009 12:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not so quick
to call long title reigns with what we’ve seen lately (see Machida and Brown himself) but the kid does look freakishly good.
Kuwabara Kuwabara
by J. B. Maddox on Nov 19, 2009 5:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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