saitiev01

This would be a classic clash of styles... Batirovs unrivaled defense against Smiths low level offense. also people forget how amazing Batirov is with an underhook, but smith had an amazing high c from that position. So in current rules who takes it??

JensenS

Smith

arm-spin

These would be the most exciting 1-0, 1-0 matches ever. Smith would shoot in on a ankle and they would scramble for a minute and a half until someone scored.

granby5

Smith hands down. Fadzaev was supposed to be unbeatable as well. Beloglazov to, although I concede he was old and small. When Smith was in his prime he was unbeatable.

Gripsnhips

Fadzaev's defense was some of the best in the world. My old coach, Kevin Darkus, said he used to challenge people to just lock their hands around one of his legs (not even get the takedown). Very few could do that.

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"Ok Class. Today we will learn 'downward dog' to 'full bring'

quick_single

Smith takes it. Batirov is amazing but he's too flat footed for Smith. Underhooks meant nothing to John Smith. He hit some of his best stuff when guys would underhook him. Smith defense was just as good, if not better.

Re: Fadzaev. I'm not sure I've seen too many people even touch his legs. Chris Wilson is the only one who comes to mind.

pinartist

i would definetly put my money on smith. I even think guys like stephan sarkassian (spelling?) could beat batirov. It still baffles me how many wrestlers allow batirov to impose his style of wrestling on them. I think it wouldnt be the case with smith.

Gripsnhips

Just to argue both sides, i'm a believer in the evolution of modern wrestling. I believe the wrestlers today are better wrestlers due to the progression of the sport itself (all the new techniques, training methods and generationalized coaching). Batirov could have something for Smith.

On that same note, I heard Smith used to school Guerrero in the room when he was winning NCAA titles. Like Smith would spot 9 and they would wrestle to 11 points. So who knows.

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"Ok Class. Today we will learn 'downward dog' to 'full bring'

grecowrestler13

Real tough to say.

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TRAIN LIKE A MADMAN!

5pointcrossankle

batirov may have a flat fotted style, but one thing about rus wrestlers is they adapt to there opponents, so its impossible really to say