I think it is Carlos Condit's days that are numbered. GSP may have a little rust when he comes back, but we all know he's been working on improving during this time. He will hold this division down for at least 3-5 more title defenses.
Permalink Submitted by Rabi on Thu, 08/03/2012 - 16:35.
I honestly feel that GSP's days are not done yet, I also think the toughest challenges a head are the current crop of wrestlers who will have great TD defence and 1 punch power, Ive felt for a long time the way to beat GSP would be able to be able to outwrestle GSP, either offensively or defensively. For me the 2 biggest threats in the division to GSP are Hendricks and Ellenberger.
Good Read J, My honest opinion is that although GSP is definately P4P top 5 his fighting style doesnt really bring any new fans to the MMA world. His athletism and abilty is unquestionable but winning 5 out of his 6 most recent fights on points over 5 rounds isn't attractive to the TV deals. As for the division, i do not think any of the top 10 really pose that much of a risk to him (a little bit like Anderson silva) and so only a move up in weight will keep the interest for me. Im not knocking the guy because he is a complete fighter and seems a good guy but watching him out wrestle any of the top 10 guys for 5 rounds really doesnt get me hyped up.
I will be comparing this to Anderson's past opponents as he is the only other long standing champion who I can compare to. As it stands right now, 5 of Anderson Silva's past title contenders are currently out of the UFC - every single title challenger for GSP still has a job (though Hardy should have been cut).
"...every fighter GSP has fought in the last 5 years has been beaten/dominated/embarrassed in the last year."
Embarrassed imo is a fairly strong word here. That may be used for Hardy and Penn (vs Diaz) but thats it. Shields got caught with a knee, Fitch got caught with a hook, Alves got caught in a guillotine. Getting caught is not the same as being dominated or embarrassed. I could turn this around and say the same thing about Silva's opponents, save Belfort:
Okami - just got embarrassed getting KTFO by Boetsch after dominating the fight
Sonnen - got busted and suspended for high testosterone ratio levels
Maia - got outclassed by a kid with 7 pro fights
Griffin - KTFO by Shogun
Leites, Cote, Irvin - not in UFC
Since 2003, Shields and Fitch have a combined 5 losses - 2 of those from GSP...I think its quite premature to call them slipping. It isn't a bad thing to lose to "up and comers," in fact it shows growth in the division and prevents the division from being stagnant. There are new title challenges for GSP which is something that fans have wanted for a while instead of rematches. Right now Silva is about to embark on a rematch tour of his own...is his legacy in question because of what his recent opponents have gone through? No it shouldn't and neither should Georges.
Great to have a read over your comments guys, I never meant to disrespect GSP's physical skills he brings to the table as I still think physically he is the best fighter to ever compete in MMA. I was really using the terms dominated to BJ, by Nick Diaz, and embarrased to Dan Hardy however Thiago's fight with Story wasn't exactly a showcasing.
Anderson's a great point though however I feel the difference is, when Anderson won those fights he really proved to all the opponents they never deserved to be in the cage with him.
Again, the same could have been said with GSP. He outclassed his opponents, imposed his gameplan and will and controlled the fight for the entire 25 minutes save the Shields fight where it was *only* for 20 minutes. Not long after Sonnen and Belfort lost they have been campaigning for a rematch...it took Fitch a couple years and like 5 wins before he started calling for another shot. Koscheck wants nothing to do with a rematch - I believe he said he would rather retire in an interview not too long ago.
this post here has actually fueled an idea for my first blog post. Thanks Jay :) Don't worry it isn't a GSP vs Anderson topic
EDIT: you're right Rabi. I thought there was an interview where he wants to avoid a 3rd fight but it was more along the lines up "I want Diaz to beat GSP so I can fight him for the title after I beat Condit" back when those were the original fights planned
Comments
imho
Permalink Submitted by Poor Franklin on Thu, 08/03/2012 - 00:13.
I think it is Carlos Condit's days that are numbered. GSP may have a little rust when he comes back, but we all know he's been working on improving during this time. He will hold this division down for at least 3-5 more title defenses.
IMHO
Permalink Submitted by Rabi on Thu, 08/03/2012 - 16:35.
I honestly feel that GSP's days are not done yet, I also think the toughest challenges a head are the current crop of wrestlers who will have great TD defence and 1 punch power, Ive felt for a long time the way to beat GSP would be able to be able to outwrestle GSP, either offensively or defensively. For me the 2 biggest threats in the division to GSP are Hendricks and Ellenberger.
Ray Thompson @Twitter @youtube mmavictor
Good Read J, My honest
Permalink Submitted by trollking on Fri, 09/03/2012 - 13:27.
Good Read J, My honest opinion is that although GSP is definately P4P top 5 his fighting style doesnt really bring any new fans to the MMA world. His athletism and abilty is unquestionable but winning 5 out of his 6 most recent fights on points over 5 rounds isn't attractive to the TV deals. As for the division, i do not think any of the top 10 really pose that much of a risk to him (a little bit like Anderson silva) and so only a move up in weight will keep the interest for me. Im not knocking the guy because he is a complete fighter and seems a good guy but watching him out wrestle any of the top 10 guys for 5 rounds really doesnt get me hyped up.
coming to GSP's defense
Permalink Submitted by Bubbles on Fri, 09/03/2012 - 20:29.
I will be comparing this to Anderson's past opponents as he is the only other long standing champion who I can compare to. As it stands right now, 5 of Anderson Silva's past title contenders are currently out of the UFC - every single title challenger for GSP still has a job (though Hardy should have been cut).
"...every fighter GSP has fought in the last 5 years has been beaten/dominated/embarrassed in the last year."
Embarrassed imo is a fairly strong word here. That may be used for Hardy and Penn (vs Diaz) but thats it. Shields got caught with a knee, Fitch got caught with a hook, Alves got caught in a guillotine. Getting caught is not the same as being dominated or embarrassed. I could turn this around and say the same thing about Silva's opponents, save Belfort:
Okami - just got embarrassed getting KTFO by Boetsch after dominating the fight
Sonnen - got busted and suspended for high testosterone ratio levels
Maia - got outclassed by a kid with 7 pro fights
Griffin - KTFO by Shogun
Leites, Cote, Irvin - not in UFC
Since 2003, Shields and Fitch have a combined 5 losses - 2 of those from GSP...I think its quite premature to call them slipping. It isn't a bad thing to lose to "up and comers," in fact it shows growth in the division and prevents the division from being stagnant. There are new title challenges for GSP which is something that fans have wanted for a while instead of rematches. Right now Silva is about to embark on a rematch tour of his own...is his legacy in question because of what his recent opponents have gone through? No it shouldn't and neither should Georges.
End of rant :)
Thats a great point
Permalink Submitted by Rabi on Fri, 09/03/2012 - 21:03.
And thats why I look forward to reading your blogs on MMAmental.
Ray Thompson @Twitter @youtube mmavictor
Bubbles
Permalink Submitted by jjeans on Fri, 09/03/2012 - 22:58.
Great to have a read over your comments guys, I never meant to disrespect GSP's physical skills he brings to the table as I still think physically he is the best fighter to ever compete in MMA. I was really using the terms dominated to BJ, by Nick Diaz, and embarrased to Dan Hardy however Thiago's fight with Story wasn't exactly a showcasing.
Anderson's a great point though however I feel the difference is, when Anderson won those fights he really proved to all the opponents they never deserved to be in the cage with him.
re: Bubbles
Permalink Submitted by Bubbles on Sat, 10/03/2012 - 05:10.
Again, the same could have been said with GSP. He outclassed his opponents, imposed his gameplan and will and controlled the fight for the entire 25 minutes save the Shields fight where it was *only* for 20 minutes. Not long after Sonnen and Belfort lost they have been campaigning for a rematch...it took Fitch a couple years and like 5 wins before he started calling for another shot. Koscheck wants nothing to do with a rematch - I believe he said he would rather retire in an interview not too long ago.
this post here has actually fueled an idea for my first blog post. Thanks Jay :) Don't worry it isn't a GSP vs Anderson topic
EDIT: you're right Rabi. I thought there was an interview where he wants to avoid a 3rd fight but it was more along the lines up "I want Diaz to beat GSP so I can fight him for the title after I beat Condit" back when those were the original fights planned
Koscheck
Permalink Submitted by Rabi on Sat, 10/03/2012 - 00:10.
I believe the Koscheck comment was aimed at the possibility of fighting Fitch and not re matching GSP
Ray Thompson @Twitter @youtube mmavictor