Condit and GSP

[griz]

This fight represents one of the things I dislike about the UFC (not just for GSP, but in general). After serious injuries they rarely get a tune-up match. Several fighters have struggled like crazy coming back after injuries and in some instances never got back to form. While I respect that the UFC doesn't do like boxing and throw in a tomato can, it does put some of the biggest stars in the sport in a tough spot.

I think Condit presents a huge problem for GSP. The injury GSP suffered is nasty. The one thing GSP was insanely good at was his swift movement. This enabled him to land shots, change angles, escape damage and of course his ability to take guys down at will. If that movement is not back to where it was, Condit will tear him apart.

While I hate the way the UFC brings fighters back, I also watch all of these comeback fights just to see how the guy performs. Sort of like staring at a car accident.

Condit is a dangerous fighter. His strengths in the octagon will prove to be lethal if GSP doesn't have his full range and quickness back in his legs. I can't wait to see this one. I am tempted to put some cash down on Condit in spite of cheering for GSP

[JonBlaze]

If I bet on MMA fights, it's always on the dogs. Condit has a good chance I would think. GSP tends to fight cautiously the first time he faces someone that he respects. Almost too cautiously...plus throw in expected ring rust, possible lingering effect from injury, etc and you have a recipe for an upset.

[griz]

If I bet on MMA fights, it's always on the dogs. Condit has a good chance I would think. GSP tends to fight cautiously the first time he faces someone that he respects. Almost too cautiously...plus throw in expected ring rust, possible lingering effect from injury, etc and you have a recipe for an upset.

Exactly. I'm just not sure that I could pull the trigger on this bet though.

[griz]

Glad I never put any cash down, as tempting as the odds were. GSP was very good once again. Condit is a quality fighter and was over-matched for a lot of the fight. Even the 3rd round where Condit landed a solid head kick, his control was less than a minute.

I know the knock on GSP is he can't finish fights, but I'll give Condit credit. He battled through a lot to take it to the judges.

[Niner Empire]

pretty good fight from both fighters who have been on a long layoff

typical gsp, ground, pound, and decision


condit showed a lot of heart, he had his chance with gsp and miss the chance to finish him off


i guess its either anderson or diaz up next for gsp

[BigPoppaPump]

I am not the biggest fan of GSP as you all know, but I was stoked to see him back as good as ever. I am glad he did not go the Tito route where his injury resulted in his skills going away. He looked really good last night....so did Carlos. Carlos was giving GSP a lot of trouble from the bottom. He kept GSP working and really did not take a ton of damage all things considered. GSP is a beast.

All that being said, GSP has three possible fights and none of them look too easy. I love Diaz, but that would be the easiest one for him. I certainly think Hendricks could be scary. He put away Fitch and Kampmann and both of those dudes are really tough outs. If his wrestling is as good as it seems, this could be a really dangerous fight. The last fight is obviously Anderson. Sorry, but I think Silva would destroy him. I think GSP certainly would get him down to the ground, but he would not finish him. I think Anderson would be able to start stuffing takedowns or avoiding them....then he would light GSP up on his feet. JMO

[Genus49]

GSP will not be fighting Diaz. Diaz doesn't deserve the shot right now. He lost to Condit and was suspended after.

It's Hendricks or Silva. I think the safer fight is actually Silva. There really isn't much pressure there for GSP. If he loses most people expect it so it won't drop his legacy any and he can just go back to WW.

Hendricks and his power poses a major risk. If he has a decent takedown defense then he can plow forward like he did against Kampman and hope he connects - if he does it could be the end of GSP.

GSP of course will look to take him down asap and keep him down. It will be a dangerous fight for Georges.

I don't think he has much of a chance against Silva but I don't think it would hurt him to give it a go. I do hope that Anderson has enough respect for GSP not to showboat if they do that fight. If he pulls that BS he did against Bonnar and Forrest I'll love all respect for him.

[JonBlaze]

GSP showed his grit by coming back in round 3 to win it in 2 of the judges cards. It's possible GSP of old might have started doubting himself there and lost the round going away. It was good to see him respond to that. Condit's BJJ was impressive. He was working constantly from the bottom. But GSP is just a human blanket once he gets on top of you. His ground game is just sick.

[Yellowknifer]

Hendricks will get the next shot. GSP is designed to beat Silva.

[griz]

GSP and Silva are a bit more similar than most think. They share a lot of the same strengths. Both are very accurate in their striking. Both are very good at closing range and changing angles for offensive and defensive purposes. Both are very good on the ground - GSP is stronger in top position IMO but Silva is more dangerous in bottom. Both are also very opportunistic. When their opponent makes a small mistake, they are very quick to make them pay. Both also rely on a strong base of Muay Thai for their striking

The main difference is Silva has a huge advantage in power and while I don't say GSP has a glass jaw, I don't think he has a granite chin.

GSP has a significant advantage in getting top position (like Sonnen did the first time he fought Silva) and Silva has shown this a potential area of concern.

The other difference IMO is that GSP has more strength but Silva is much more "wiry" which might help him counter the strength.

I'd love to see this fight happen. Right now it's all games from each camp. The catch-weight they agree to is a huge part of the fight. The higher that weight goes up, the bigger the edge to Silva. I'm curious to see if they can agree to a number. Silva has openly said he'll fight, but the truth is he won't fight unless it's around 180.

This fight, if it happens, is one of those true scraps where almost anything could happen. Silva may destroy him with a quick KO. GSP might hurt Silva early and punish him for 5.

As for Hendricks, he has huge power and is a wrestler by trade so he is a major challenge. The true test for Hendricks will be whether or not he can do this to a guy that can move. His last 2 KOs, while impressive in the power have happened to guys who for some reason are standing still. Again, another tough fight for GSP.

Dana White would like the Silva fight to happen first. It carries a huge payday but only matters if GSP and Silva are champions. GSP would likely rather fight Hendricks first as he's said that he won't fight up in weight until he's ready to permanently move up in weight. Hendricks is a huge risk for GSP to lose though so this will be another fight that happens in the back room with Dana and the managers of Silva and GSP. Both fighters are going to look at a fight with each other as a way to win the lottery. The deciding factor in making that match could well be whether the UFC is willing to get off their wallet and pay them.

[TrueNBlue]

I would be pretty surprised if Silva isn't the next fight. Silva's mug was plastered all over the screen during the entire fight, of course they're setting it up. Hendricks was pleading for a title shot because he sees the writing on the wall. IMHO, the sport has hit a bit of a lull with all the injury scratches, and Dana is going to throw so much money at both fighters in an effort to inject some juice back into the sport that they won't be able to turn it away. I also agree that Hendricks is a bit of a no-win match for GSP. Super, super dangerous fighter that he'll get no credit for beating.

I think Silva will of course be a favorite since he's probably the GOAT and they'll be fighting closer to his weight class even if it is a catch. I think GSP has a good chance of beating him. If Silva has had trouble with anyone, it's super strong wrestlers. I don't think GSP could put Anderson away with GnP, but I think he could do enough damage to win in a decision.

[OrAnGe CrUsH 77]

Silva will fight JBJ before GSP agrees to fight Silva. I think GSP has made it quite clear he would rather keep plowing through the WW division. Silva would kick the piss out of Georges so I dont blame him.