Goldberg is a one-man wrecking crew in the WWE, despite his status as a senior citizen in terms of pro-wrestling age. He has looked in pretty damn good shape since his return to the squared circle after more than a decade away.
We all saw how devastating his move set is as he destroyed Brock Lesnar in under two minutes at Survivor Series followed by his elimination of The Beast at the Royal Rumble. In both cases, what was pivotal for his triumphs was his signature move, The Spear.
Sure, he might actually end his matches with the Jackhammer, but it’s the Spear that sets up the victory.
Goldberg has one of the best Spears in the business, far outclassing Roman Reigns and Edge, who both used it to devastating effect in their careers. But, when it comes to testing out his version of the Spear against MMA fighters, it’s good ol’ Bill who comes up short.
These 5 MMA fighters use their version of the Spear (a double leg power takedown) with more technique and power than Goldberg, Reigns, or any other wrestler in the world today. So, without further ado, here are five MMA fighters who can perform a better spear than Goldberg:
#5 Frankie Edgar
We start off with the smallest guy on our list, UFC Featherweight phenom, Frankie Edgar. Edgar is a veteran of MMA, who has made a career out of his potent double leg takedowns. With a superb record of 21-5-1, The Answer has consistently been at the top of the UFC’s Featherweight division and earlier in his career, the UFC’s Lightweight division.
While not a submission specialist or an elite level grappler, Edgar’s strength comes from the fact that he takes control of fights through this devastating takedown and doesn’t relinquish his dominance from there.
Edgar is coming off a hot victory against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 205 and is expected to take on Jose Aldo or Max Holloway in the near future for the UFC Featherweight World Title that Aldo picked up after it was stripped from Conor McGregor.
If Edgar is to have any success in that bout, a lot will depend on how well he uses his version of the Spear.
#4 Tyron Woodley
Tyron Woodley has established himself as one of the most dominant fighters in the Welterweight division of the UFC. Woodley’s strength is his ability to combine his powerful striking techniques with some top-notch wrestling.
At UFC 205, Woodley squared off against Stephen Thompson in an epic contest where he showed off his impressive wrestling in the first round to keep Wonderboy grounded. Despite that bout ending in a majority draw, everyone was impressed with how well both fighters brought their A game.
Woodley’s amateur wrestling background enables him to use his monstrous size to full effect, as he goes in for those insane double leg takedowns and it is what allowed him to dominate against Wonderboy as well.
As their rematch edges closer, do not be surprised if Woodley incorporates even more double leg takedowns to get the better of Thompson. It will be a fight for the ages and Woodley’s Spear could well decide the outcome.
#3 Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier has made a name for himself as one of the most dominant wrestlers in the UFC today, and it is this wrestling base which has propelled him into superstardom as the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
DC has consistently gotten the better of his opponents through his superior wrestling skills and the major focus of his wrestling are his takedowns. Skilled in the art of double leg takedowns, we saw exactly how dominant he could be against Anthony Johnson, the last time the two met in the Octagon.
DC completely stifled Rumble’s offence and neutralised his power with his insane takedown skills. In fact, one of the few people he hasn’t been able to dominate like this has been the freak of nature, Jon Jones.
As Rumble and DC get to square off again for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title, don’t be surprised if DC spears his way to yet another victory.
#2 Georges St. Pierre
Georges St. Pierre went out of MMA at the top of his game in 2013 as he vacated his UFC Welterweight Title and went on hiatus. He was undefeated for his title and was on an incredible nine-fight title defence streak when he decided to take a break.
Now, GSP is coming back to the UFC and will be looking to pick up right where he left off: dominating all-comers. The key behind Rush’s incredible career as an MMA fighter is that he is one of the most well-rounded people to step into the Octagon.
With a standup game which was just as good as his grappling, GSP ensured there was no way he would be outclassed. But, despite his all-around nature, the only thing GSP always used better than everyone else was his power double leg takedown.
As he nears his UFC return, do not be surprised if the move that earns him the victory is the Spear.
#1) Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Kurmagomedov is a freak of nature. There is no other way of putting it. You cannot possibly be a normal human being and achieve an MMA record of 24-0. It’s just not possible. And the major reason for Kahbib’s unparalleled success is his ability to take people down for fun.
An elite level Sambo grappler, Nurmagomedov’s whole gameplan is based on one simple strategy: Take the opponent down with a power double leg takedown and then proceed to dominate them on the ground till they are destroyed.
The only chink we have ever seen in The Eagle’s armour has been the one time he was clipped by Michael Johnson at UFC 205, but that was a passing shot and he recovered to take Johnson apart.
As Khabib and Tony Ferguson get ready to face off for the right to face Conor McGregor for UFC’s Lightweight title, don’t be surprised if Nurmagomedov utilises the Spear to pick up yet another victory in his storied MMA career.
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