Jeremy McGrath was dominating the sport unlike any other before him. There looked to be no end to his reign and nobody coming up looking to put a stop to it, until Ricky Carmichael. They were both dominating, in 1998 Ricky had a perfect season in the regional Class, while MC just captured his 5th SX title. Ricky might've been the chosen one to stop him. In 1999 they finally went head to head. But MC doninated him, that year and the following year in 2000. 2001 however was a changing of the tide. RC beat him straight up th the 3rd race and never looked back. One was always quite a bit better than the other, it wasnt a very compeitive rivarly.
Next up was James Stewart looking to topple the great Ricky Carmichael. They grew up in the same State and were both other worldly talents from a young age. Because they were 6 years apart they never raced each other growing up leading to their eventul clash being anticipated for nearly 15 years. James Stewart ran through the 125 class like it was nothing, meanwhile RC was winning like clock work. They finally clashed in 2005, but JS got injured in round 2 and was severly underpowered outdoors. 2006 supercross was a war for the ages, JS made too many mistakes and RC got him. Outdoors they battled but RC came out of top. RC was part time in 2007 so they never raced for a championship after that. It was a highly hyped rivaly but it didnt last very long, especially not with championship implications.
Ryan Villopoto was the guy to take down JS7. Going into their eventual clash in 2009 JS was fresh off going 24-0 and RV captured his 3rd straight MX title. They were both the best in their respective classes and it wasnt even close. 2009 RV was injured, 2010 JS got injured. In 2011 they both finally made it through the enitre season and like 2006, it was an aboslute war for the ages, And similar to 2006 James Stewart was the fastest guy, but he made too many mistakes. 2012 and 2013 very not good for JS7 but in 2014 they once again went head to head on multiple occasions, with again JS7 potentially being the best guy but making way to many mistakes to get a title. Despite racing each other a lot, it's too bad they they rarely raced each other when they were both on form, and potentially past JS7 prime.
Eli Tomac in my opinion was the guy I was looking at the put an end to the reign of Villopoto. By the time they races each other in 2014 RV was a defending 3 times champion, and Tomac was just finished his 3 year smack down on the 250 class. Unfortunately Tomac crashed and got hurt at Anaheim 1 and RV continued domination en route to a 4th crown. RV retired after that Supercross season. So my excitement for Tomac taking of Villopoto never came to be as they barely raced each at all, and never when they were both on form.
Jett was the Guy looking to take on Tomac. The meeting was looking to take place at the first round of the the 2023 outdoor series. Jett had been destroying the 250 class from a young age and was wrapping up his 2nd regional title. Eli was undoubtable the best guy in the sport, winning everything the year prior, and leading the Supercross championship, looking to secure his 3rd SX title. Unfortunately that didnt happen, Tomac got injured and Jett went 22-0. They met up in 2024 SX but Tomac was on the mend from injury and never got back up to full "beast mode". They raced each other heads up at round 1 of SMX which appeared to be a battle of generations. We will see who reigns supreme in the 2025 season. But realistically Eli is 11 years older than Jett. This is nowhere near Prime vs Prime.
Deegan is the guy right now that most of us are looking at to the one to straight up beat Jett Lawrence in a title. Deegan is on an absolute tear right now, and is by far the best 250 rider in SMX. And the crazy part about it is, is that it is only his 2nd season. Similarily with Jett, this is his first full pro season in the 450 class, yet he has already won every championship there is to win. He is already seen as the fastest guy in the world whether it be SX or MX.
2026 is the year we will see Jett Lawrence vs Haiden Deegan. they will only be they are 20 and 23 years old. Hopefully, fingers crossed unlike the other "Clash of the Titans" on this list. Deegan vs Jett is going to last for a long time, and they will both be in their primes while doing it.
No mention of dungey or reed in the timeline?
No tldr on that five paragraph essay?
You are forgetting:
- Reed vs RC - they went head to head for four ahd a half years.
- Reed vs Stewart - they battled for over ten years.
- Dungey vs RV - their 450 careers overlapped by 5 years.
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🙄🙄. Riiiiight. Add in injuries. Crashes. Reality.
It’s coming for one of them.
Said it before, I’m equally interested in 38 vs Sexton as I am with him vs jetti
Beautiful soliloquy. JS7 2014 still stings. Have to think the frame update in 2015 and the momentum would of secured another ‘ship had it not been for the FIM in all its wisdom.
Also 38 vs Prado, and even Bam if he’s racing when 38 moves up.
One big difference with Deegan and Jett compared to nearly all those other examples is that they're closer in age. But it does raise the question of whether "the guy" is only knocked off due to aging...
What if Emig came late relative to MC? What if Windham came along later in RC's career? Dungey relative to Villo (though Dunge probably should still have been credited between RV and Tomac in your post)? Roczen? Is the main reason they aren't considered the ones that were next up after legends just because they overlapped too much with the legend?
It'll be real interesting to see how it shapes up with Deegan, but we've rarely had two guys close in age that both stay healthy enough to really go at it for an extended period. RV and Dungey might be closest but RV typically was hurt for Dunge to win...maybe Reed and RC?
When was Eli's 3 yr smackdown on the 250 class? Out of 6 possible titles, he won 2.
Reed's not comparable to JS in SX and MX and Ricky in MX.
Excuse me? Bam? He's got nothing for any of the people mentioned. The only thing he can do to stay somewhat relevant is dirty takeouts. Haiden would wipe the floor with him, and Jett and Sexton already do.
Deegan fanboys everyone... I hope it comes true, but he don't be the pinnacle of skibidi gyatt sigma rizz energy you wannabe fr no cap gen whatever think he is.
Holy shit what a wall of text.
Anyways...the only way I can compare Jett vs Deegan is that they have both smacked down the same riders that have remained in the 250 class for years...Kitchen, Shimoda, Hampshire, Smith etc etc etc.
The only difference is only one rider has gone undefeated in the premier class in outdoors.
Blair did a cool video kinda based on this topic.. We've missed out on some epic battles
I for one, hope Deegs moves up to 450MX next year. Jett, Hunter, Chase, Eli and Deegs going for it ? That would be amazing ! Might have to make my way down south for a race if that's the case lol
Prado for sure, I keep forgetting about him coming here and he will be a capable force. But Barcia no. He’s done, and I’m glad. Dirtiest rider of all time imo never lived up to the hype that was never deserved in the first place.
His best days are certainly behind him and the dirty riding is lame but if you watched him on minis, the hype was definitely deserved. What most fans don’t know is the Barcias were dirt poor. It’s actually amazing he even made it to Lorettas the year he got picked up by Honda.
Pit Row
There's no clash of the Titans until Deegs 2nd year in 450. He's gonna find out he can't send the 450 like he does his 250.
I'll be honest, I didn't read your entire manifesto, because of the last two words in your title. Will it most likely be a clash of the titans? Definitely. Unlike any other? That's the delusional part.
Go watch Orlando 2007 and get back to us. Educate yourself a little more about the sport before throwing around such "facts."
If Tomac is as successful he is with his riding style, I guarantee you, Haiden will be just fine. His style is very similar to Eli's, except he doesn't use the clutch a lot like he used to.
Imagine how quickly the servers will melt someday if we see a Deegan/Jett clash like this:
He'll get there when it's time.
Tough to beat the hype coming into A1 2005.
Any of these guys could have won,
Carmichael come in with 24-0 outdoor season, and on a new brand.
Reed, previous year SX Champion.
James Stewart's 250sx debut.
McGrath making a comeback.
and a healthy Travis Pastrana.
Without looking at the results, who do you think won?
Josh Grant ?
🤣
MXSX started in the 90s? Plenty of Titan clashing before then.
close...............Windham!
Not a hater, but I have a feeling SX '26 could end up looking a lot like the MC/RC clash in '99. If Deegan does 450 outdoors next summer that will definitely help, but I think with all of the pressure of A1 and SX in general, the hype of this long-awaited clash and dealing with a 450 in SX for the first time, Deegan is going to have to be very mindful to not get swept up in it all and ride over his head. His development has been very strategic so far so maybe he can avoid that pitfall, but when I see his super-active riding style and his level of aggression, I have to wonder how quickly that translates directly to 450 SX, or if there will be a learning period marked by some costly get offs. Jett's smooth technique set him up for the exact opposite experience, the 450 allowed him to fully unlock his riding style.
Either way, it's going to be incredible to watch just from a technique perspective because they have such different styles.
It’s a little early for anyone to be planning out Deegan’s 450 career. He hasnt proved it yet. Plenty of riders have won on 125/250 4-strokes but did not pan out against the big boys.
Think he is going to bully around Jason Anderson, Mookie, Webb, Barcia, Lawrence’s, Eli? All have proven they will punt you into the cheap seats for trying it. Thats a big part of his race craft currently and he is getting away with it.
Overriding his bike wanting to dominate might not work out so well on a 450 either.
I notice the Deegans are dying to duplicate the Lawrence’s success but time will tell. Personally I’d pump the brakes and relax a bit but that’s not their style.
He is 5th on the all time wins list for supercross..
He beat James and Ricky straight up many times, watch the 03 season, he was much better then RC, just not as consistent.
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