Shogun could've been LHW GOAT & in the GOAT MMA Fighter mix...

Injuries and poor conditioning have been his nemesis. The talent, explosiveness, & aggression he had during PRIDE & for 1 or 2 UFC fights is up there with anyone anyone being considered for GOAT.

It sad when injury diminishes great athlete's ability to continue to show just how great they are. It's also sad that Shogun may have been his own worst enemy with his conditioning in the UFC. I'm betting his knees had more to do with that than anything.

In my mind there are only 2 losses that are hard to say Shogun at his best would not have won. Babalu & Jones.

Shoguns a beast but he's like big nog injury plagued and stubborn never stays out of action long enough always susceptible to really injury every fight.no doubt his own worst enemy.

Same could be said for Yamamoto. If he never had reconstructive knee surgeries, he wouldn't have lost to Warren and Kanehara, and DREAM might have even still been around.