GSP, Jon Jones, and more: ChatGPT settles MMA GOAT debate
The long-raging debate among MMA fans about which fighter is the greatest mixed martial artist of all time may have been settled with the help of artificial intelligence.
In a video uploaded to their YouTube channel earlier this year, MMA Digest tried ending the 'GOAT' debate using the trailblazing artificial intelligence model ChatGPT.
Created by OpenAI, ChatGPT is a natural language processing tool driven by artificial intelligence technology that allows the user to have human-like conversations and much more with the chatbot.
Considering its incredible abilities as an AI model, MMA Digest asked ChatGPT to name the top five fighters of all time and to explain the reasons why.
The chatbot named Georges St-Pierre as the greatest mixed martial artist of them all. It cited the Canadian's titles in multiple weight classes, longevity, and consistency for his 'GOAT' status.
@GeorgesStPierre. For everything.Thank you, 🇨🇦 @GeorgesStPierre. For everything. https://t.co/iIltDOeNjT
Anderson Silva stood second, with the chatbot citing the Brazilian's long middleweight title reign and notable wins in the octagon. Interestingly, Fedor Emelianenko stood third. Widely considered to be the greatest heavyweight in MMA history, the Russian was credited for his reign in PRIDE FC.
Meanwhile, Jon Jones was named in fourth place, with ChatGPT citing his incredible resume, versatile skill set, and ability to adapt in fights. In fifth place stood Demetrious Johnson, the former long-reigning UFC flyweight champion who holds the record for most consecutive title defenses in the promotion.
Watch the full video below:
Can ChatGPT replace MMA journalists anytime soon?
With artificial intelligence technology progressing and becoming more powerful, there have been discussions about how bots can take over certain creative and technical professions, rendering humans working in those fields obsolete.
In an article written in February, Tim Bissell of Bloody Elbow tested the ChatGPT model on its knowledge of mixed martial arts to find out if MMA journalists could be replaced with AI.
Bissell started off by asking the chatbot some basic questions about the sport, the UFC, and some of its biggest stars. Interestingly, while the AI answered the questions satisfactorily, it presented outdated information. The AI also answered questions about fighter profiles quite well, albeit banally.
Bissell further probed the bot's ability to write about Conor McGregor and Jon Jones' controversies to test its order of information and how it chooses the necessary data to present.
Upon reading the answers, the journalist concluded that while AI is quite capable of paraphrasing pre-existing content online, it's incapable of investigation, critical thinking, or due diligence that is required for a journalist covering any sport.