Should the UFC Postpone Georges St Pierre vs Josh Koscheck Until March in Toronto?
by Kid Nate on Aug 15, 2010 11:57 AM EDT
in MMA News
Email
Print
Zach Arnold thinks so:
Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck was scheduled for December and the most talked about location was Las Vegas. Now with the news that Ontario is open for business, will UFC postpone this fight until the March date at the Sky Dome? Given the recent success UFC had in promoting the (delayed) fight between Rashad Evasn and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, I think they certainly will take a second look now at delaying the fight from happening.
There would be risks in delaying the fight. If you delay the fight until March, it will be St. Pierre's first fight in a year and Koscheck's first fight in 10 months. As far as concerns about delaying the progress of the Welterweight division, I actually think that what Jon Fitch did in Oakland is a blessing in disguise because now the promotion can consider booking him against the winner of Kampmann/Shields. This would eliminate inactivity amongst the Welterweight division contenders.
I have to violently disagree here. It's already been far too long since fans got to see GSP in the Octagon. Delaying his title defense against Koscheck so they can both coach The Ultimate Fighter 12 season aggravates me to no end. It would be unconscionable to waste an entire year of GSP's prime for strictly commercial reasons.
The UFC needs to remember that these athletes have very limited windows of peak physical performance. It is promotional malpractice to let business considerations keep an athlete like GSP out of competition for more than a year.
St Pierre will turn 30 next May. While it may be possible that he will have a career as long as Randy Couture, it's extremely unlikely. Most athletes begin to noticeably fade after peaking athletically from 28-32.
Admittedly injuries have played a role in some of GSP's recent inactivity. I also believe the UFC's inability to produce compelling challengers for St Pierre has played a role in their willingness to shelve him for long periods of time while they cross their fingers and pray someone will beat Jon Fitch and emerge as a viable challenger to GSP.
Meanwhile a potentially epic bout with Anderson Silva goes unmade.
What do you think?
65 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
No
/sarcasm
Better known as Black Lesnar
Read me at WatchKalibRun
by S.C. Michaelson on Aug 15, 2010 11:43 AM EDT reply actions
Let me amend that to say FUCK no
/sarcasm
Better known as Black Lesnar
Read me at WatchKalibRun
by S.C. Michaelson on Aug 15, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
“great” minds think alike
FUCK NO
Even when I'm laying on my back I'm never backing down
by Austin Martin on Aug 15, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
yea that whould be a huge mistake
Whats the problem with just having GSP fight in december against Kos, and then in Toronto in March for his next fight.
The problem is that’s too quick of a turnaround, let him fight in December then push the Toronto card back to April or May, very simple solution.
by ufc4 on Aug 15, 2010 12:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Zach Arnold is a pro wrestling mark through and through
He’s booking this like it was Bret Hart vs Stone Cold in Calgary.
Whatever main event they use in Toronto (and trust, it will be big, probably Shogun vs Evans) will sell out and sell out fast. GSP and Lesnar should be almost exclusive Vegas fighters unless they do a stadium show. And the UFC wouldn’t run the SkyDome (or at least I hope they wouldn’t).
The reason why Rashad vs Rampage was so successful wasn’t the “delay”, it was both of those guys having a REAL rivalry and it not being about a title, it was about dislike. It had supreme shittalkers, polarizing figures, the most watched season of TUF ever, etc, etc.
/sarcasm
Better known as Black Lesnar
Read me at WatchKalibRun
by S.C. Michaelson on Aug 15, 2010 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I don't know why I thought the Rogers Centre and Skydome were different places
/sarcasm
Better known as Black Lesnar
Read me at WatchKalibRun
by S.C. Michaelson on Aug 15, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
We need a Mega card for Toronto, Rogers centre will be the biggest venue ufc will ever put on so it should be the North American version of Dynamite in Japan.
Twitter @i_c_u_hater
http://dreamthemez.wordpress.com
http://dreamthemez.unfilteredmma.com
http://fightlife.unfilteredmma.com
by Thats It For you! on Aug 15, 2010 11:48 AM EDT reply actions
no, don’t postpone it, already gotta wait long enough for mr. “i fight once a year” saint pierre to defend his title
Since he won the belt he has defended the belt twice a year or fought more than once a year.
My avatar has Bas Rutten and Terry Funk in it...therefore it's the manliest avatar on SB Nation.
I will likely be attending any event in Toronto
And I voted NO.
There will other main event’s. I don’t like the idea of shelving our champ even longer for promotional reasons.
It’s too far to push it back.
Save Toronto for GSPs next fight. If GSP beats Koscheck, you’re looking at GSP vs Fitch/Kampann/Shields in his next fight. Those are good fights, but they really aren’t that great on paper, and would probably benefit from the boost of holding the fight in Toronto.
If GSp loses the title fight, he can headline a Toronto show without the belt for his next fight.
by Phildo on Aug 15, 2010 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
i don’t see it, but i can’t wait to see this fight. if kos has really focused on wrestling this could be a hell of a fight
Even when I'm laying on my back I'm never backing down
by Austin Martin on Aug 15, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
GSP vs. Silva is never going to happen...
…by the time Silva heals up, Sonnen will get a rematch. Meanwhile GSP will need to go through Kos, then Shields.
I can’t see the UFC risking either man’s record on a fight versus each other, when they can count on each one defending the strap (which is a great selling point). Even if one or both loses, then the new champs will get top billing and a rematch would be another 6 month delay.
Only if one or both lose, and somehow are uninterested in getting their belt back, would such a match be possible.
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
helllll no
that place will sell out with or without gsp
"its either going to be genius or its going to f***ing suck. Until I see the first cut I have no idea. But you know what? Neither does anybody else"
Rory 'The Waterboy' Macdonald
Thiago 'Pitbull' Alves
Yushin 'Thunder' Okami
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua
Anderson/GSP
They have the Rogers Center (65,000+ for something like the UFC) booked for March 26th. GSP/Kos is tentatively scheduled for December 11th. It’s feasible for them to book their biggest fight into their biggest venue and put on a real spectacle.
"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.
Support independent artists
http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/
by Worldisart on Aug 15, 2010 11:59 AM EDT reply actions 8 recs
trueeeeee
but GSP would have to be uninjured
anderson would be coming back around then
your idea is incredible, doubtful, but incredible
Even when I'm laying on my back I'm never backing down
by Austin Martin on Aug 15, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I realize it seems unlikely
But if you’re going to do that fight, March 26th in Toronto at the Rogers Center in front of 65,000+ screaming fans chanting G S P over and over and over again, is the perfect time and place.
"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.
Support independent artists
http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/
I agree
If the fight is ever going to happen this is where and when it should be done. You could also stack this card with the JDS vs. Lesnar-Velasquez winner and have one of the biggest shows in history on the biggest stage the UFC’s ever run.
by Jamie Penick on Aug 15, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Hell no! They should keep all relevant fighters off TUF, it takes up way too much time as it is now.. I’d be favorable of doing it with retired fighters too, I don’t see the need for the fight at the end of the season, it should be mostly about the upcoming guys anyway.
by Horselover Fat on Aug 15, 2010 11:59 AM EDT reply actions
I find it unlikely that GSP takes too much punishment against Koschek. Have him win that fight, make sure whoever they want next is ready to go, and have him fight again in March against that opponent.
This is true,
Although Kos is the UFC WW who poses the greatest threat to GSP.
Having said that, even if its a long, difficult, close fight it is unlikely GSP takes too much damage from Kos…
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer
Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...
by BigDNotDallas on Aug 15, 2010 1:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
no
I rather see an exciting main event
The Red Wings will come back stronger
RESTORE THE ROAR 2010 Detroit Lions
GSP sells out the gate no matter where its held.
Toronto will sell out the gate on its first show no matter who is on the card.
There’s no financial reason (and certainly no sport reason) to put GSP on hold in the prime of his career when the above conditions exist. Have GSP’s fight after Kos in Toronto as a way to give back to the fans and city though. Do them a solid with their national mma hero. That will cement the UFC’s stature in the area even more.
Redundant post is redundant.
You know what feature would make the new generation of browsers really cool? A built in redundancy checker. Any text you type into a text field is checked against text already on that page. Once you pass a certain level of redundant word strings, they get highlighted.
Or maybe I’m just being a lazy technophile begging the tech gods to make my life even more automated so I don’t have to read other people’s posts before I make my own.
I’d say it’s a good idea if that wasn’t so far off, but it doesn’t work as it is. Just too long to hold off.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
Every Yes vote was cast by a Canadian in Toronto
I rarely tweet
I less-rarely write
"I ain't having it" - Buster Posey, hosing folks down
Absolutely not!
GSP can fight Shields next, or the winner of Shields-Fitch should the UFC opt for that (unlikely IMO).
Assuming GSP beats Kos and Anderson beats Sonnen again, summer 2011 is the time for GSP-Anderson to be held there.
Of course, both GSP and especially Anderson face very real risks in their next fights, but assuming it plays out like that…
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer
Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...
by BigDNotDallas on Aug 15, 2010 12:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
No
It would be my honor to be your new stepfather.
by Pha Q on Aug 15, 2010 1:05 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
C'mon Nate...
It would be unconscionable to waste an entire year of GSP’s prime for strictly commercial reasons
It is promotional malpractice to let business considerations keep an athlete like GSP out of competition for more than a year.
When did the UFC stop being a business and start being strictly about appeasing the fans? I must have missed the memo…
Cash is king and as much as I too would hate to see GSP continue to be inactive, business considerations are always going to play a role in decisions of this nature. That sucks, but that’s life.
by E. Spencer Kyte on Aug 15, 2010 1:14 PM EDT reply actions
Business considerations or not it’s a stupid idea, Toronto would sell out with a Stefan Struve vs. James Mcsweeney main event.
by ufc4 on Aug 15, 2010 3:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed, but you cannot simply discard the fact that the UFC is still a business that is very much about making money because the event would sell out with a mediocre main event.
Plus, that wasn’t Nate’s argument or objection – he objects on the grounds of the UFC putting business considerations ahead of what the fans want to see. Companies put their bottom line ahead of consumer desires all the time and the UFC doesn’t have to ask differently because we’re all tired of waiting to see GSP fight, myself included.
by E. Spencer Kyte on Aug 15, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Here’s my point- the event won’t sell more PPV’s because it’s in Toronto. It also won’t sell more tickets if GSP is on the card because it will sell out either way. So pushing back his fight is only bad for business because it could be one less fight for GSP in his prime that they would be able to promote.
You are correct but very depressing at the same time
Let’s hope the UFC doesn’t play Toronto fans like Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment (MLSE; parent company of the Leafs and Raptors) and put on an inferior product year in and year out knowing full well that us Torontonians will eat it up like a medium-rare steak from Morton’s.
It’s sad being from Toronto sometimes but where’s my steak??
by KenCanFightBear on Aug 16, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
No
I understand GSP would be great in Canada but there are other options that should be available for title fight main events. Such as Shogun/Evans, the winner Brock/Cain can fight JDS, Edgar/Penn could fight the winner of Flo/Grey, and AS should be ready for a fight by then.
You just can’t keep GSP on the shelf that long. TUF show was dumb enough.
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
What Zach, and some people fail to consider here,
is that some countries/places are really crazy about MMA…
All this talk about like ‘oh they NEED GSP in Canada’ or ‘oh no, Filipinos won’t watch a UFC event cause Vera/Munoz lost..’ or whatever is clearly missing the point.
Sure, hometown fighters will get loud cheers, but it won’t change the fact that the country, especially Canada (who has probably the most rabid MMA fans on earth), loves MMA, and that if you setup a decent card, it will still get tons of love, with or without their hometown hero… You can put a UFC117-like Brazil vs USA card, even with ZERO Canadians, and it is still GUARANTEED to sell because they love MMA more than they love their hometown hero.
So screw this ‘’pospone GSP’s fight because Canada needs him’’ idea.
by Anton Tabuena on Aug 15, 2010 1:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
You’re 100% correct that a fight in Toronto will be massive with or without GSP.
That said, this is the first chance to have our biggest star fight on our biggest stage, and that means something to a lot of people.
As great as any event in Toronto will surely be, it becomes more everything – more of a news story, more compelling, more marketable – with one of our most beloved athletes headlining the event instead of, say, Shogun vs. Rashad or a fight like we had headlining UFC 115 in Vancouver.
by E. Spencer Kyte on Aug 15, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Meanwhile a potentially epic bout with Anderson Silva goes unmade.
Would this fight likely be amazing? Yes.
Are we owed it? No.
I blame BJ Penn for all this inter-divisional superfight talk. GSP/Silva, Silva/Shogun, et al would be awesome to see but a lot of us are standing on our soapboxes demanding these fights get made and then getting upset when they don’t.
There is no precedence for superfights save for a Penn fluke victory over Hughes.
Contributor, NorthTexasFisticuffs.com
Follow me on Twitter
by Applejack McNeil on Aug 15, 2010 1:39 PM EDT reply actions
I agree with you...
… Sergio
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
Penn’s victory over Hughes wasn’t a fluke. And he would have likely won the rematch if he didn’t break his rib. Who cares if there is precedent or not. This is a fight the overwhelming majority of fans want to see more than any other, and White won’t put it on because he is afraid of risking GSP’s marketability. That’s bullshit.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
Besides Hughes....
Penn has beaten who at WW? Ludwig?
I wanna see Penn/Serra II but I understand that they are in two different weight classes so it’s not likely to happen. It’s as simple as that
Contributor, NorthTexasFisticuffs.com
Follow me on Twitter
by Applejack McNeil on Aug 15, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Can we just put Silva/GSP to bed?
Anderson is past his prime and GSP is still in his prime. We’ve seen Anderson’s weakness and we’ve seen GSP throw Matt Hughes around like a doll. This fight would’ve been perfect 2-3 years ago but it’s time to put this to bed.
GSP/Kos should not be delayed. Put it in December and if GSP runs through Koscheck then have him defend his title in March.
Nick Garcia is the Brian Russell of MLS but 10 times worse.
Do you really think that at his age he's still in his prime?
Nick Garcia is the Brian Russell of MLS but 10 times worse.
by SSreporters on Aug 15, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
He needs to move up to 205 permenantly...
beyond that, he is still in his prime.
I like Fedor, it’s just his fans that are intolerable...and his management.
lmfao...
It is really funny how before the Sonnen fight, almost everybody was opposed to this fight because they imagined it would be too one-sided with Anderson destroying GSP…now, after seeing Anderson dominated by Sonnen, people are opposed to it because GSP would dominate it…
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer
Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...
by BigDNotDallas on Aug 16, 2010 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions
I doubt he will take little damage winning against Kos (knock on wood)...
so if he’s healthy, let him pummel the title shot raffle winner of Fitch/Shields/Kampmann in March in Toronto, then give him time to bulk up and fight Silva at the New Years show in 2011.
Fffffffffuuuuuuuuuu!!!!
If by chance this did happen, I might just go crazy. GSP fights scarcely as is. To postpone a fight with Fraggle after already postponing it due to the Ultimate Fighter is just blowing through month after month that GSP is in his prime and from a fans perspective, I want to see him fight more than once or twice a year. This is getting ridiculous!
Most expect GSP to breeze through Koscheck
Have them fight in October, book Silva vs GSP in Toronto (as Silva won’t be back until March anyway)
It’s already criminal that GSP fights as infrequently as he does. I’d rather see GSP fight three or four bums a year than 1 or 2 “credible” challengers. The UFC is burning through the prime years of its greatest fighter.
"If a dick don't get hard offa cocaine, what would you axe it?" O.D.B.
"To be is to be the value of a bound variable." W.V.O Quine
"I shoot. I score. He shoots. I score." Dan Gable.
Thank god you’re not running the UFC then, because GSP fight as often as he should against the best fighters in the world I for one am thankfull for that.
"they mad at me, I keep going hard reppin/
cause what's your Rampage to Rashad Evans/"
-Joe Budden (Something To Ride To)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/76866807deabe3c1/
by Nightwhistler on Aug 15, 2010 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
If he fought 3 or 4 times a year, the fighters he would fight would be include the one or two credible challengers you’re yearning for. How do you lose in that situation?
"If a dick don't get hard offa cocaine, what would you axe it?" O.D.B.
"To be is to be the value of a bound variable." W.V.O Quine
"I shoot. I score. He shoots. I score." Dan Gable.
by The Darkness on Aug 16, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
For all the idiots saying GSP only fights once a year
The guy has never fought less than two times in one year, do some homework.
by ufc4 on Aug 15, 2010 3:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
GSP isn't going to run through Kos
He will probably win, but Kos is a tougher fight for him than Alves.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
Canadians doesn't need a Canadian to headline a UFC card.
They will show up to watch whoever is in the main event. As mentioned above, Canadians are mad for MMA.
I specializes in grammar fail.
McGuinty's fault
The premier of Ontario didn’t care about MMA until he was desperate for cash – then suddenly MMA was a priority. If he had got his act together a year ago, we’d have GSP/Koscheck in Toronto in December. Why should the fans wait three more months?
I may be in the minority, but I don’t care where the UFC events are held – I watch the events in a bar, as I can’t afford tickets even if they are around the corner. I am very happy that the UFC is coming to Toronto, but I won’t be able to afford a ticket when they get here, regardless of who’s fighting.
"I'd love to be a Cheick Kongo looking brother that could actually move and do a lot of funky stuff - Jiu Jitsu, takedowns, kicks and stuff." - Jon Jones.
"This is the internet: you either have soul-stopping power or you’re a pillow-fisted pansy. There is no middle ground." - woomikee
No
Have this bout in December and then AS vs GSP in March/April.
Business Perspective
Business-wise it doesn’t make sense, GSP is a huge draw anywhere and an event in Toronto(considered the biggest MMA market) will be a sell out regardless of whos fighting so by putting GSP on a seperate card it means more money for the UFC and Zuffa
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
