UFC 129 Results: The Case for Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz
by Leland Roling on May 1, 2011 2:00 PM EDT
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Color me unimpressed with Georges St. Pierre's performance last night at UFC 129, or should I say... "I am not impressed by your performance". The UFC welterweight champion did exactly as predicted by nearly every single MMA writer and fan close to the sport. He defeated Jake Shields by utilizing a strong jab-overhand right combination while maintaining a safe distance to avoid Shields' historically weak shot. It worked brilliantly, creating a situation that looked hopeless by the second round of action. When Shields asked teammate Gilbert Melendez in between rounds whether he should pull guard yet, it was a sure sign of the end for Shields.
But Shields wasn't completely ineffective. His atrocious striking was effective enough to damage St. Pierre's eye, causing some concern for the champion as the fight dragged on. Unfortunately, Shields could not capitalize, getting outworked by the champion for a majority of the fight and never truly endangering St. Pierre's status as world champion.
In the aftermath, the question was asked by Lorenzo Fertitta whether fans would like to see Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz or Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva. Our own Brent Brookhouse opined that the St. Pierre we witnessed last night may not have a chance against Silva:
But again, Jake Shields was able to get through five rounds on the feet with GSP and even have some moments of his own. I can't help but feel that the much more dangerous and much larger Anderson Silva would put the St. Pierre we saw last night to sleep.
I can't help but think the same thing. If Shields, who has horrific striking acumen, can somehow win a couple of rounds from St. Pierre, what would a rangier striker like Anderson Silva do to St. Pierre at a higher weight? That isn't to say the fight can't happen. By all indications, it would be a super fight for the ages, and business would be good.
But I can't look past Nick Diaz and the intrigue he brings to a showdown with Georges St. Pierre. St. Pierre's hesitance and willingness to sit back and jab opponents to death is a style that isn't winning any fans. He needs opponents who are fearless and couldn't care less whether they are on their back. Nick Diaz is the epitome of that style of fighter.
I expect the counter argument to be something along the lines of... St. Pierre will take down Nick Diaz and hold him there. It isn't an unfathomable outcome to that fight, but Diaz does present problems on the ground for St. Pierre. Would St. Pierre avoid the ground game with Diaz as he did with Shields? If so, it could be a very interesting encounter.
The UFC has the perfect opportunity to challenge St. Pierre and possibly capitalize on the popularity of Nick Diaz. While he is far from a pay-per-view draw, Diaz has the fan support and personality to get fans excited. Instead of throwing Nick Diaz in against wrestlers like Jon Fitch and squandering his potential, the UFC needs to capitalize on the opportunity now. Nick Diaz is the perfect opponent for St. Pierre, a man who could strike with St. Pierre, eat his hardest punch, and work harder in the fourth round than he did in the first. He's a man who could beat St. Pierre, and the time to pull the trigger is now.
More Bloody Elbow UFC 129 Results & Analysis after the fold...
- Georges St. Pierre Holds Back UFC's Canadian Coming Out Party at UFC 129 - Jonathan Snowden
- Is Steven Seagal Secretly a Martial Arts Genius? - Jonathan Snowden
- UFC 129 Post-Fight Press Conference Video
- Play by Play and Live Commentary - Brent Brookhouse
- Georges St. Pierre Slips Past Jake Shields
- Jose Aldo Holds Off Mark Hominick
- Lyoto Machida Clouts Randy Couture
- Vladimir Matyushenko Mops the Floor With Jason Brilz
- Ben Henderson Whips Up On Mark Bocek
- Rory MacDonald Ragdolls Nate Diaz
- Jake Ellenberger Brutalizes Sean Pierson
- Claude Patrick Edges Daniel Roberts
- Pablo Garza Submits Yves Jabouin
- John Makdessi KO's Kyle Watson With Spinning Back Fist
- Jason MacDonald Triangles Ryan Jensen
- Ivan Menjivar Clocks Charlie Valencia
- Zuffa and the UFC Finally Hit It Big
- UFC Hits Home Run With UFC 129 Live Experience
- Great Judging Should Be Applauded Sometimes
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Trade BJ Penn for Nick Diaz
Diaz vs St Pierre, Penn vs Melendez, yes!
by Lauren J Darkbloom on May 1, 2011 2:03 PM EDT reply actions
is the option to actually trade fighters as you would in other team sports applicable?
is that even possible between UFC and SF? i can see the dissolution of Diaz’ contract and eventual signing or some shit like that – maybe even GSP fighting in Strikeforce [less likely, i know]. but trading? i doubt that.
by Victor Rodriguez on May 1, 2011 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Really?
I don’t understand all these people saying they weren’t impressed by GSP. The guy beat someone who hasn’t lost in 15 fights, was considered the best WW outside GSP and GSP couldnt see out of one eye from the 2nd round on, I think managing to win with only 1 eye at the top level of your weight class is actually very impressive but maybe thats just me
But Shields has won 15 fights in a row with wrestling
If he stood with a lot of his opponents he probably would have been trashed. It is impressive that he was able to keep Shields from taking him down (Shields really should have been more relentless looking for the takedowns) but to not destroy Shields standing up is a concern.
I agree GSP should have won and yes the fight was boring. But for people to say he lost them as a fan, saying he would get smashed by Anderson etc. when he fought with no vision in one eye(and he still didnt have vision hours after the fight so it obviously was semi serious) is just ridiculous. You take almost any fighter, cover one of their eyes and they wont be very exciting either. If a fighter gets a fairly serious injury during a fight the smart thing to do is to play it safe so you can hopefully still win the fight despite your injury and the recover after the fight. Basically all the people who have been but hurt about GSP for years now finally have stuff to bash him on(I feel this was realistically his first boring performance) and they are completely omitting the main points of why the fight was boring. Also no one seems to think that maybe the fact that he was fighting someone considered up there fighting with Fitch for most boring fighter(i dont necessarily agree with that) played a factor in the fight being boring. Oh well, people will hate and GSP will win.
If this was the first (or second, or third) time he was fighting to outpoint his opponent, fine. But he hasn’t finished anyone except BJ Penn since 2008. I’m tired of seeing GSP hang back against guys who are clearly not even remotely in his league. I think the Serra loss made him way to cautious. A guy like Edgar can get away with getting decisions because he is really trying and fighting opponents who are truly dangerous to him. GSP hasn’t fought anyone who had much of a chance in years. If he wants to fight that way, fine. But eventually it will catch up with him in terms of PPV sales. I know the card needs to be better than 124 for me to get pay for another GSP v. whoever he hasn’t beaten recently fights.
"an excellent example of why most MMA "journalism" is a joke. Pseudonyms like "toxic" and shitty writing like that dopey article"--- Joe Rogan.
They need tto get a guy who can threaten GSP in all areas
Someone like Rory Macdonald in a few years. Right now I just don’t see anyone who would be a legitimate threat to GSP’s belt to make him more urgent.
Let the fighters fight, let the referees ref, but dear God, don't let the judges judge.
by halitosis on May 1, 2011 2:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I just feel there are alot of small things that play a big part in GSP not getting finishes. He got hurt mid-fight vs Alves and Shields (a groin pull and not being able to see out of one eye would definitely affect someones ability to get a finish). He has fought guys who generally don’t get finished (BJ, Jon Fitch, Shields) and also like many state there hasnt really been a fighter that really has pressured GSP in a fight. I was disappointed in the fight just like most but I feel the backlash is a little harsh. This was the first time ever I have seen GSP throw an overhand right, so its obvious he wants to get that finish, just the opponents he faces are THAT good. I also don’t understand why all of a sudden everyone thinks GSP will lose to Diaz(not you in particular Toxic) when before this fight there werent many people even interested in the fight because everyone said GSP would wrestlefuck Diaz. I don’t see anything from the Shields fight that would prove otherwise but apparently alot of people saw something I didnt.
Diaz would push St-Pierre in every way
Diaz is not a gentleman, is not respectful, and will not go through interviews patronizing everyone by saying he “respects” GSP’s skills. He will get in his face, be an asshole, push his buttons, and instigate. I think GSP needs that, someone to light a fire in him because ever since he beat BJ Penn in their second fight, he’s been on cruise control. Diaz will push not just his body, but his mind as well.
Vote Quimby
by mason_beer on May 1, 2011 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
Also:
being a Diaz means you can’t have a boring fight. The knock against GSP is his fights are boring. So…
http://fightdrinker.blogspot.com
by some schmuck in texas on May 1, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
that's not really accurate.
Diaz does have opponents he respects. he never talked smack about Daley and got along with him in a much better manner than most expected. he was a class act against Gomi, and he didn’t talk shit about Cyborg either. he can be a gentleman depending on who he fights, but he’ll be a relentless motherfucker once that cage closes. Diaz might just be the guy to take his belt.
by Victor Rodriguez on May 1, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m way more interested in seeing him fight Diaz than Silva. Silva is bigger, stronger and has deadly boxing. If Shields jab can get through…Silvas will murder him.
And I think there are enough MWs to keep Silva busy for another year or so. Okami, Sonnen, Bisping, Mayhem, maybe even a reach w Belfort.
Are our bones not dust?
Is our Blood not Poison?
On my knees in the black light
Praying for Salvation, bitter Redemption
So throw your dice and cast your shadow
You may look away
But your children will not...
by ProfessorBLove on May 1, 2011 2:10 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Diaz has been beating plugs for the last 4 years, following his TKO loss to KJ Noons. I love that everyone is thinking this fight would be competitive.
Lets see if Diaz can get past a Fitch, Koscheck or Alves first.
GSP murders Diaz.
Half the year in Canada, Half the year in Thailand.
by Fedor on May 1, 2011 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
He can’t get past Fitch in my opinion. But why squander Diaz and pit him against Fitch? Why not capitalize on him now while he’s a hot commodity instead of giving Fitch another chance?
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on May 1, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
I get what you are saying. What I am saying, is why does Diaz deserve an instant shot? His last two fights were against — Cyborg and Daley, neither of which hold much weight at WW.
Interesting fight for sure but not fair to the other contenders. Hell lets see Shields vs. Diaz for the next shot ;)
Half the year in Canada, Half the year in Thailand.
He doesn’t, but you could say the same for a lot of guys from the past. It’s business.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on May 1, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I think beating Daley is a big win
Daley got worked by Kos due to him not having the ability to stop his wrestling, but Daley is a talented fighter with heavy hands and Diaz was able to go in and have a war with him.
Diaz is a big name right now, Strikeforce champion, and someone that we know will bring the fight to GSP. Even if he gets killed he is going to be attacking and getting in GSP’s face which hopefully can make for an exciting fight.
And
Kos got a shot for beating Daley. And in a snoozer. Diaz TKO’d him in one of the most exciting back and forth round in recent memory.
"I am going to punch faces." --Wanderlei Silva
War Miller Bros.
You gotta admit,
beating Daley at his own game is fuckin impressive.
to deny that is nuts.
Learn JiuJitsu, it's fun.
by RolloTomasi on May 1, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
boxing is diaz's bread and butter
both daley and diaz played to their strengths, the day nick starts taking people down and roughing em up like what melendez his in last fight, then we can that he’s beating guys at their own game.
bcoz stand up happens to be diaz's game aswell
i thought it was pretty transparent in my previous comment ?
if he starts beating wrestlers and grapplers with wrestling and grappling, then that would hold some significance, him being a striker who wants to box professionally beating other strikers is not what you call beating opponents at their own game.
I think it's relevent when every media person ,fan,
and everyone else says there’s no way he can stand with Daley.I get your point about the wrestlers though.and Daley isn’t any striker he was supposed to be THE striker in the ww division
bj beat fitch at his game!
would be a more compelling argument, granted that him being a boxer took down a decorated wrestler like fitch in the early rounds and established dominant positions and sub attempts, all with only few weeks of training with matt hughes.
i dont know if its nick’s ego or whatever, but he needs to train with sheilds, and askren to fill that glaring hole in his game, if not gsp some other wrestler is going to exploit it.
you may be right
not sying your wrong i just personally think gives GSP way better fight than Kos,Fitch,Alves……….and hey maybe he dominates Nick but I’d love to see it either way
Is that why he wants to box professionally ?
if that was true he’s be grabbing legs like sheilds and maia. his guard is crafty, but a strong wrestler can wreck him from the top without getting subbed, especially someone like st peirre.
It used to be.
Nowadays it’s both IMO. He will indulge you in a slugfest if you want, or a mat war if you want. And he just doesn’t give a flying fuck about wrestling. If he’s beating the shit out of you and knows he can grab a sub, then and only then will he grab a takedown.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest!
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-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on May 2, 2011 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions
You know who else got the title shot by beating Paul Daley? Josh Koscheck. I guess that was undeserved too.
And who are these other contenders you think are more deserving of a title shot right now? I honestly can’t come up with anyone with a solid case.
by Horselover Fat on May 1, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
as welterweight champ and on the winning streak he's got,
i guess you could make a case for an immediate title shot.
by Victor Rodriguez on May 1, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
simply for no other reason than
this is a business. It’s not about what’s fair, or what’s right. It’s about what will make money. Diaz v. GSP will make a lot of money. Putting Diaz against Fitch will not do big business, and it will eliminate yet another challenger to GSP at 170, when the supply is already dwindling
i disagree
if gsp was afraid to take shields down because of his bjj-skills, what would he do against diaz? diaz is known for submitting guys off his back (unlike jake) and after last night i´m 100% sure that gsp couldn´t stand with diaz!
"This is for me, I mean right now, I mean this year.. I mean I probably haven´t been my best.. -- That wasn´t a fair fight. I just fought. I got kicked on the leg. I go out there, what´s the guy try to do? Kick me around my leg. That´s not a fair fight man! My other fight before that.. none of these have been fair!
I´ve got people out there to get me.." -Nick Diaz
He would try
But nobody has layed on Diaz for 5 rds.
Why is it so hard for people to accept
Hey you know what maybe over the last 4 years, especially training with world champion boxers that Hey You know What 4 Years is enough Time to actually GET BETTER AT FIGHTING?!?!
You guys think everyone is in a vaccum, no they are constantly training and in Diaz’s case developing new skills.
I am vorn the unspeakable the skulls of those who defy me bleach in the suns of hundreds of worlds...... and you are
What if it’s not all about GSP though. Anderson sure wants the fight. I think the WW division is a landfill of broken dreams built on the (WARNING: opinion incoming!) increasingly uninspired performances by GSP.
Maybe his defense indicates that GSP doesn’t have a very good chance against Anderson Silva. Awesome! I’d like to see the guy sweat a little. Both of them need it.
I’d like to see both. Pit him against Diaz first. He passes, Silva is next.
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on May 1, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I 100% agree with you. I also don’t think Silva will have a very good performance against Okami, he’ll win, but it may and I think will be just as unimpressive a performance as GSPs. GSP will dominate Diaz but will be forced to fight at least aggressively at most brutally. Everyone will think Silva is gonna struggle against GSP rather then GSP struggling against Silva. We are all fickle, it’s who we are as MMA fans.
"There are no atheists in foxholes" isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes. ~James Morrow
"There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."-Steven Wright
by F'n Clownshoes on May 1, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
The thing that I see in a potential GSP vs. Anderson superfight
is that Anderson is a very, very talented opponent. Why would GSP mix up his arsenal and risk getting KO’d. I think that GSP knows full well of what Anderson is capable of, and as a result would implement an even more conservative gameplan
I like that Diaz would bring the fight
But I still just feel it’d be a less exciting version of the MacDonald/Diaz fight from last night. And Silva is getting older. This alone is reason to need Silva/GSP after the okami fight.
by silent.bisonte33 on May 1, 2011 2:14 PM EDT reply actions
Nate has got nothing on Nick
I hate the fact that because they are brother Nate is just assumed to have all Nicks strengths and weaknesses. The fact is Nate’s striking has looked terrible in his past few fights with the exception of the Davis fight yet he always is hyped as a great boxer. He almost got put to sleep against Guillard and McDonald and did absolutely nothing against Gray Freakin Maynard. Fact is his Nick has perfected the “slap box” style and is wayyy more agressive than Nate. Nick has proven his mettle as a great striker Nate hasn’t. He just rides off of Nicks coattails.
by mortarz on May 1, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
"and did absolutely nothing against Gray Freakin Maynard"
Maybe you didn’t see the fight, because Maynard took an ass whoopin and got dropped in the 3rd.
If you put Diaz down where shields was last night, Diaz would have won.
GSP would get murdered against Silva.
Don’t be too quick to think GSP would get murdered by Anderson. GSP could easily take him down, then its anyones fight.
Half the year in Canada, Half the year in Thailand.
meh
Gsp doesn’t even use his wrestling anymore. He wants to be a boxer and he can’t pull it off.
I say an Anderson Silva with no Rib Injury could stuff or get up from GSPs takedowns, or nullify any damage until the next round.
this is a silly, silly statement, oh, and wrong too. GSP owned Hardy and Alves in the wrestling dept. do some research or try your memory, as selective as it may be.
"There are no atheists in foxholes" isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes. ~James Morrow
"There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."-Steven Wright
by F'n Clownshoes on May 1, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
haha
neither one of those guys can wrestle their way out of a paper bag.
You sir won the silly silly statement award.
sorry blood, you didn’t say he doesn’t use his wrestling anymore….against wrestlers. the fact that Alves and Hardy can’t wrestle doesn’t change the fact that GSP owned them both in, wait for it…….wrestling. your wrong, it is ok, we can let it go now.
"There are no atheists in foxholes" isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes. ~James Morrow
"There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."-Steven Wright
by F'n Clownshoes on May 1, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Alves has much better TDD than Anderson does. Sonnen took him down in R1 prior to him cracking his ribs, and even Lutter too him down repeatedly.
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
by The American Ronin on May 2, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
"He doesn't use his wrestling anymore"
What?
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
Agreed. People don’t realize that no one is going to just allow Anderson to strike. If anything is taken from Shields/GSP, is that Anderson is severely screwed if he faces GSP..
Did you not see how effected a person’s ability to strike is, when the constant threat of takedown is lurking? I mean, it makes striking 10 hell maybe 20 x harder to do , when you know you absolutley cannot go to the ground, not even once!
Silva will experience what GSP experienced against Shields if they fight. And that is, Oh fuck, I better not get silly with my striking, or this bastard is going to take me down, and be all over me…
Silva has major major issues with an explosive wrestler who has good top control, and has good sub defense. That is absolutely Silva’ kryptonite.
well the case for both fights is that
GSP will out wrestle them, he still has good set ups for striking, my only gripe with the GSP, AS fight is that AS is too big and its true, he will light up GSP if he has the chance.
Nick Diaz will also light up GSP if GSP tries to stand with him
The big winner last night? Nick Diaz. The UFC needs him and this fight and he (or at least Ceasar) has got to know it. No longer does he need boxing as his leverage, with Zuffa’s purchase of Strikeforce but his contract with Showtime he’s in the driver seat. I would ask for something ridiculous – a mil plus a cut of ppv if I have the belt. Even with something so over-the-top it would still be worthwhile for the UFC to do so. Then put them on TUF and sell a shit-load of ppvs.
Diaz/GSP
Damn I want to see that fight. GSP has been untouchable for a long time, but I can’t help but think if Shields and his horrible standup were that effective, then Diaz would take him out. St. Pierre is obviously the better athlete, and much better wrestler, but Diaz is so tough and has an iron will. If they get into later rounds, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Diaz break St. Pierre’s will.
I think Diaz is the
better athlete, GSP needs to start biking, swimming and running.
I think it’s giving Shields a bit too much credit to say his “effective” striking caused GSP’s eye injury. This wasn’t a powerful shot that caused a lot of swelling or opened a cut. This was a ho-hum punch that by some accident — maybe a knuckle, maybe a seam of the glove — got GSP’s eyeball.
I once got in the face with a towel, and the tag got me right in the eye. I’m sure I looked pretty wimpy when I was holding my face, but it affected my vision. Total accident.
Frankly, if they had been able to figure what happened to the eye, a no-contest might’ve been a fair result. But since this is the same Shields who couldn’t put away “Bac-Dizzle” on Bully Beatdown, GSP was able to just gut it out and get the win.
Can’t overanalyze a fight that changes on an accident.
But even in the 1st two rounds while GSP was winning he wasn’t winning handily, or at least as handily as I think people are claiming. He edged out Shields in the striking department by only a couple of strikes per round (except for the 5th where Shields clearly outstruck him – yes he did). That’s what made this fight so damn awful on both fighters part: GSP was content to edge out an opponent who he clearly outclassed on his fight by a couple of jabs per round and Shields who needed to get it to the ground but seemed clueless or incapable of how to do so. Even when he caught GSP’s leg and had him offbalance there seemed to be no sense of urgency or commitment to try and get this to the ground?
Just realize, if Shields could have slipped one or two punches in any of the first three rounds while also landing an extra punch or two and gaining a single takedown he could have been the new Champ, and perhaps rightfully so. Being so close to being the champ with such a dreadful performance is pretty sad in my book.
by John Nash on May 1, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Shields definitely is getting more notoriety for the accidental eyeball scrape, but you’re right. The first two rounds, GSP wasn’t throwing combinations. I know GSP can fight better than he fought last night, and to his credit, he did knock Shields down a couple times, but it wasn’t the striking mismatch people were expecting. But that’s more to GSP’s hesitation than Shields’ striking ability.
I thought GSP completely dominated the striking early.
He landed much much harder, cleaner shots than Shields’ little girl jabs. One thing that even the very useful fightmetric doesn’t tell is how much more snap, velocity, and impact GSP’s strikes had than Jake’s shots. Even in the later rounds when Shields was supposedly “outlanding” GSP, the shots Georges landed were much more accurate and quality.
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by ElliotMatheny on May 2, 2011 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
But you’re hinging that argument on the notion (debatable, though that’s what two judges saw) that Shields won the last two rounds. And that was way after the injury.
The stats show Shields was actually keeping the stats slightly close by jabbing a lot. The power strikes? All GSP.
GSP knocked down or wobbled Shields a couple of times. Without the eye injury, who’s to say he wouldn’t have done that a couple more times and then finished?
I don’t know how two judges gave Shields the 4th, but I also don’t know how one judge didn’t give him the 5th.
And you’re right the eye probably played a big part, but still lets compare his 1st two rounds last night with his 1st two against Koscheck where he threw 14 more strikes. That is a whole extra round of activity by GSP, He seemed content to edge out each round instead of winning them. And that would have been dangerous if Shields could have done anything to gain a takedown. (Shields deserves just if not more blame for not even making a serious attempt to get it to the ground. It’s as if he was shocked that GSP didn’t fall over merely because he was standing on one leg. “What!? No one can do that!”).
As for GSP knocking down and wobbling Shields – I never had the sense he was in serious trouble. Not only did GSP never follow up to punish him, but two of the strikes seemed to catch Shields while he was off balance instead of being true head-shaker.
it was a poor performance by either contestant and one that reinforces my belief that the supposed strength of the WW division is greatly exaggerated.
by John Nash on May 1, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
“it was a poor performance by either contestant and one that reinforces my belief that the supposed strength of the WW division is greatly exaggerated.”
After seeing Penn draw with Fitch, and now this fight, I agree strongly with this statement. And before the Penn/Fitch fight, if you had said that, I would have laughed at you.
I think what happened is this: The best WWs in the world, other than Diaz, were stacked in the UFC. So we know exactly how they all compare to one another. This made the division seem better than it really was. In other divisions, even LHW, there were stronger cases to be made that someone not in the UFC was really top 5 or even #1.
by Lauren J Darkbloom on May 1, 2011 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Would Diaz be able to stop any takedowns from GSP? Maybe one or two? George dictates this fight goes to the ground and that spells a surefire victory. Diaz’s boxing will completely nullified.
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by Jeremy Couturier on May 1, 2011 2:25 PM EDT reply actions
The thing is that he is very good off his back too. And there is no way in hell GSP is going to be able to stop Diaz, and Diaz will be in the fight and dangerous for all five rounds. That sounds exciting to me.
by Horselover Fat on May 1, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
AS must have some magic mind control powers or something.
Aldo has a unimpressive win, and it hurts his P4P image
GSP easily outstrikes Shields to victory but LOSES SIGHT IN ONE EYE and looks unimpressive, and he is not good enough to have a superfight anymore. Forgetting that with two eyes he outstruck BJ and Alves.
AS gets dominated for 4.5 rounds and subs a guy easy to sub and it is only boosts him.
by schm1583 on May 1, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Does any one else
Question Aldo’s heart after last nights fight? His skills I can’t but he seemed the give up a bit at the end. Possibly he was just tired or maybe when contrasted with the heart of Hominick his just seemed a bit more subdued.
GSP/Diaz Do it!
GSP vs. Diaz is a much more interesting fight right now than GSP vs. Anderson. I can’t speak for everyone else but I personally love the back and forth trash talking between the fighters leading up to the fights. It gives insights into their character and gets me emotionally involved in the fights which makes them more enjoyable from a fan perspective. GSP doesn’t allow me that pleasure but I know Diaz would wreck GSP when it came to the talking game, especially when it comes to his inability to finish fights and hurt his opponents. I saw GSP trying really hard to knock out Shields last night…I think he feels the pressure from the public to start finishing fights. The fight would be competitive and Diaz does have a real chance to win it. He can fight Anderson next if he wins. I also don’t think Anderson would dominate GSP as some have suggested here. GSP would change his fight style completely to fight Anderson and utilize his wrestling to stifle Anderson’s striking.
I don't get the logic
that because Shields was “successful” striking with GSP, that Silva would murder him. GSP was scared to go to the ground with Shields, so he stood up. Against Silva, he’d be scared to stand up with Silva, so he’d take him down. Simple as that (and no, I’m not implying GSP would win, only that his gameplan would logically change).
The fight was pretty bad, but I think like Silva/Maia it was born out of a terrible clash of styles. GSP isn’t a lights out puncher, Shields has a good chin, and both guys seemed afraid to fight on one another’s “turf”.
As for Diaz, I’d love to see that fight, but sometimes I get the impression people are clamoring for that fight because they think Nick has a great chance, despite forgetting what Nick looks like off his back when he’s ineffectually scrambling off his back (for all of his strengths, and his BJJ is certainly one of them, he’s not some sort of lights out grappler, and GSP would control him from the top all day).
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by David Castillo on May 1, 2011 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
agree 100%
Diaz gets laid on all day, Silva would get laid on, the only interesting question is if Silva could catch GSP on the feet at the start of each round before he gets LnP’d.
I think GSP LnP’s his way to a very unsatisfying decision victory against Anderson or Diaz.
There’s this weird meme going around about GSP using LnP on people when he’s not busy jabbing them to death. It’s not LnP just because it goes to a decision. It’s LnP when you hold them down and don’t do damage.
GSP has taken people down and beaten the hopes and dreams out of them. That’s not LnP.
by ricker2005 on May 1, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Alves fight was a takedown and control based gameplan with minimal ground and pound so as not to compromise position. The BJ and Fitch fights had more active GnP, I agree. Maybe Lay n pray is too harsh, but the point of that expression is a points based minimal risk approach.
I think against Diaz, the GnP would be minimal so as not to risk getting caught in a sub. It would be a heavy takedown based control game, which to me is a very boring style.
I agree
Can’t see this fight as being potentially competitive. Diaz dominates the trash talking, while GSP dominates everywhere else in the cage.
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
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by The American Ronin on May 3, 2011 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I get where this article is coming from...
and also the comments by the other posters, but I disagree. GSP didn’t look as good as expected, but I don’t get why anyone would think he would knock out Jake Shields in the first place. Shields main thing coming into this fight was he did not look amazing but he won. Yesterday he lost. He lost even after GSP suffered a serious (at least in the context of the fight) injury.
George had a bad night. It happens and he still won. That’s the same way I looked at the Aldo/Hominick fight. Diaz/GSP would be a great fight and I’d love to watch it, but nothing I saw yesterday led me to think GSP would lose. Anderson/GSP is a huge fight, a potential epic bout in which both fighters have very clear, very defined and very feasible paths to victory. The Silva superfight presents more risk to both fighters and I’d rather watch it any day. I wouldn’t be too disappointed if Diaz got the nod though.
But if not Silva then Diaz. I honestly won’t watch any other match-ups, at least not live.
IF GSP was scared to go to the ground with Shields what possibly makes you think he wants to be there with NICK
by diazfan on May 1, 2011 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Because Nick Diaz is completely ineffectual off his back
http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com
by MattParker117 on May 1, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Because...
Jake is a better grappler than Nick…?
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
by The American Ronin on May 3, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
If Shields, who has horrific striking acumen, can somehow win a couple of rounds from St. Pierre, what would a rangier striker like Anderson Silva do to St. Pierre at a higher weight?
I think you’d be comparing apples and oranges when it comes to the kind of fights those would be. Yeah, Silva could damage GSP standing – everyone pretty much thought so before this Shields fight. GSP’s avenue to victory against Silva would be wrestling him to the ground, a recipe that Chael Sonnen proved (his shitty submission defense aside), so if they ever fought, GSP would go for the takedown right away. Takedown, takedown, takedown – wash, rinse, repeat. Also, I think Shields is getting too much credit for that injury. The injury changed the fight. While I was personally bored watching St-Pierre fight last night and was even disappointed in his performance, there is NO WAY Shields won two rounds.
However, I would rather see GSP vs Diaz. Diaz would be in GSP’s face, forcing him to fight a dirty fight. Might be really great. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Diaz in a boring fight.
by pud333 on May 1, 2011 2:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
GSP Diaz would be a lay n pray clinic
and a boring fight. Diaz would be controlled on the ground for 5 rounds and a UD.
GSP/Diaz no thanks I already saw it
http://unintelligentdefense.blogspot.com
by MattParker117 on May 1, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Let me get this straight, GSP loses sight in one eye and then cruises to an unimpressive win and people do not think he deserves the superfight anymore because AS is a great striker. Ok I can handle that part, but then you add that AS got completely dominated for 4.5 rounds while having a rib injury and the whole storyline is how great he is because of the heart he showed and without the injury would have dominated.
That is basically my point. There is no LOGIC behind it.
by schm1583 on May 1, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Am I the only one who wants to see something different?
I would rather see GSP fight the winner of Condit/Kim. I don’t think GSP wants to fight up at 185 against Anderson, and I think Diaz is ducking wrestlers (for good reason).
Kim has a horrible gas tank
That fight would not be competitive
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
he isn't ducking anybody
he’s called out GSP countless times and said GSP doesn’t want to fight him. Classic Nick but he is NOT scared of GSP.
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by AndersonSativa on May 2, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Is it just me, or is the idea that AS will obviously dominate GSP because his striking is way better than Shields a completely terrible angle to look at the fight from? I am the biggest Silva fan around, and his striking could give GSP big problems, but GSP wouldn’t let it. GSP would come out, shoot, rinse and repeat and never take a chance standing with Anderson. GSP hasn’t taken a chance in 35 straight rounds, why does anyone think that would change? GSP uses his boxing for 2 fights in a row and now everyone forgets that he would completely out-wrestle Anderson. I want that fight to happen, and I would be rooting for Anderson to punt GSP’s head, I just don’t see why everyone thinks GSP wouldn’t have a shot.
by xDieseLx on May 1, 2011 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I still think there are fights
Left for GSP at 170. The winner of Conduit/Stun Gun, and Nick Diaz both deserve a shot. I like the Nick Diaz idea because he posses some different challenges to GSP that no one really has yet. He is both dangerous standing and on his back (for the people that say he isn’t good on his back, go ask Gomi about that one). He is aggressive, he is in your face and constantly bringing the fight to his opponent. I think Uncle Dana would be foolish to book any other fight aside from GSP/Diaz. So long as the eye injury to GSP isn’t serious. Which, btw, anyone have an update on that yet?
Nick Diaz and Diego Sanchez are the only fighters who would force GSP to work
And push the initiative.
Sanchez would get annihilated so Nick Diaz it is, even though I have a feeling I know how that ends too. GSP is too intelligent to fool around with Diaz’s BJJ but he knows he can take him down at will and maybe win a few exchanges on the feet.
GSP is going through an Anderson Silva moment where they are giving him nothing but one-dimensional fighters who don’t stand a realistic chance of victory and the fights as a result aren’t exciting.
He needs to fight someone who can push the pace and make him work constantly. I think he’d lose decisively, but we might as well see what Diaz can do.
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
Well said,
also because I think Sanchez will be the first UFC fight Diaz gets.
Nick was always pissed about that L, and it would make a great rematch
for a shot at the belt.
by Fatty Fish Belly on May 1, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
not needed.
why would they bring in the SF champ to fight Sanchez. Besides the storyline it would mess up the marketing.
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by AndersonSativa on May 2, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Condit
Condit will push him too. I want to see Diaz/GSP, then Condit/GSP if Condit beats Stungun.
"I am going to punch faces." --Wanderlei Silva
War Miller Bros.
IfShieldsSonnen, who hashorrificpassable striking acumen, can somehow win a couple of rounds fromSt. PierreSilva, what would arangiermore diverse striker likeAnderson SilvaSt. Pierre do toSt. PierreSilva…
Conclusion? They all suck.
by castleeb on May 1, 2011 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
I don't think Georges would outstrike Anderson
but he would certainly be able to replicate Sonnen’s takedown and top control success.
What makes that fight so intriguing is the style contrast- one guy is the king of controlling and winning shutouts, the other one is the king of damaging strikes and explosive submissions.
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by ElliotMatheny on May 2, 2011 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s not St. Pierre’s fault that none of his recent opponents are really a threat to him. He just exploits their weakest area to win. He always goes the route that gives him the largest chance of victory, which often means playing it safe and “boring”. He just wanted to make sure he got the win on home soil (in an event that was pretty much built around him) and went about it in a way that he knew would be successful.
I’m not saying that I don’t wish it was more exciting but I also don’t feel like it ruined the event for me.
lol jake wasa threat
you can tell by the lack of takedowns or the takedown at the end of the round gameplan GSP had
Legendary lay-up Jordan with the right-left switch.
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by AndersonSativa on May 2, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
somewhere in new jersey
matt serra must be eating a lot of pasta and gloating in gsp’s shortcomings, that punch he landed on him has affected st peirre in more ways that one regardless of what anyone believes.
gsp’s inability to shake that experience is just pitiful, i also think that constantly thinking of that loss to remind himself of adversity is seriously limiting his arsenal of weapons come fight time, its a poor strategy that’s making him respect his opponents more than he should.
as much i love GSP i think he needs another L on his record to regnite the fire. this is not the same fighter i use to look up to.
I would watch either fight
And I think GSP’s strategy would be the same in both fights. There is the chance he chooses to fight Nick like he did Jake for fear of his ground game, but I doubt he will chance it on the feet for long. And I don’t think there is any way he strikes with Anderson for any longer than he has too. GSP is dynamic and quick on his feet, but he doesn’t have massive power. I can see him jabbing Nick and cutting him up, but I can also Nick taking his best shot and knocking GSP out, if it were to stay on the feet that is. It won’t and most likely we’ll end up with a fight that looks like GSP vs Hardy. Nick is much more capable on the ground than Hardy is obviously, but I still have a hard time seeing him either sweep GSP or get a takedown of his own. I’d watch it for sure.
As far as GSP vs Silva, it’s just the race to see who gets there’s in first. I have little doubt that Silva would put GSP to sleep given just a few minutes on the feet, but Georgesa will no doubt be diving for doubles quickly. Silva couldn’t stop Chael, who is likely stronger than Georges but not as fast. It will come down to whether Anderson’s size advantage is enough to overcome Georges’ wrestling for enough time to unleash some violence standing.
All things considered, I guess I give Silva the better shot to beat Georges so I vote for that fight, as close to 185 as they can agree on. (read: I want to see GSP knocked out).
I'm down for the Diaz fight
if Silva can hang with Chael and the wrestling, what is to say GSP won’t get the same thing done to him?
besides Diaz fight doesn’t require GSP to move weight, which he is gun shy to do
¬_¬
by ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ on May 1, 2011 4:14 PM EDT reply actions
Not saying Georges can't take Andy down
Because he probably can, but Chael would out wrestle GSP as well.
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I wouldn't take the Sonnen fight to heart, considering Silva's injury, and Sonnen's Steroids.
There was just too much controversy on that fight, it was stained, and seeing what Silva did to Dan Henderson, who has a better wrestling pedigree than Sonnen, I would wait for the second Sonnen Silva fight before I passed judgement in that aspect.
GSP moves up to 185, he’s in Silva’s world. We haven’t seen GSP fight anyone at 185, so because he can beat midgets at 175, we shouldn’t use that to determine whether he can move up to 185 and do the same thing. He’ll be a small middleweight fighting a guy who knocked out the Light heavy weight champ in a minute.
And I’m pretty sure Okami, Sonnen would murder GSP as well.
Would GSP spend 10 seconds training striking in a camp for Diaz?
If he did, why? Daley took Diaz down for fucks sake.
Not afraid to nitpick
Diaz wanted that fight on the ground
He was worming for crying out loud.
Daley didn't take him down.
Nick pulled him back down after he stuffed the shot. Daley had to be in a bad place to try to take Nick down.
You say Diaz is over valued
But don’t give any reasons? If you don’t like Nick Diaz, you don’t like MMA. That dude comes to fight every single time. Outside of the cage you may not like him, but I’ll be goddamned if he isn’t fun to watch fight. One of my fav fights ever was Diaz and Diego Sanchez. GSP needs new challengers, no one is lining up to see GSP vs Fitch 2, and aside from Condit, who else deserves to get a shot? UFC can sell the shit out of GSP vs Diaz. It is the best white hat vs black hat matchup you could ask for.
by HeadKickOfDoom on May 1, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I wanna see Ellenburger and MacDonald!
I know it’s off point but I think it would be a great fight!
Ohhhhhhh CANADA - Georges St. Pierre, right here is where he calls home, and smoking marijuana, we consider it legal.
by Austin Wilson on May 1, 2011 5:10 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
78% for Diaz / GSP?
Why am I not surprised? You GSP fans are so worried . You damn well what Silva will do to GSP. Though, I think Diaz woul have a good shot too.
Im Canadian & GSP is our boy up here but ill say it right now; he is not big enough to Anderson & yes i do realize how the fight will go.
What I dont understand is why more people dont wanna see Jones V. Silva its just a better fight. Anderson has actually fought and beaten champions at 205 so why dont more people wanna see an actual FIGHT where both opponents have a pretty decent chance of losing?
ehh
I’d watch Diaz/GSP just because Diaz is that dude…but GSP would take him down and beat him up…and no he wouldn’t beat GSP.
Diaz is the perfect contender for GSP.
Great pressure boxing, great jiu jitsu, and very marketable. Would be a very interesting fight in my opinion.
I loved GSP vs Shields, for the simple reason that ...
… it made people think Diaz actually has a chance against GSP. Make the fight, please.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
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Diaz would have a great chance………if the fight were a five round standup battle like saturday night. Shields was able to give GSP trouble simply by being first with his jab. If GSP doesn’t take Diaz down within a round or two, he will eat a lot punches simply by not being first.
Diaz vs GSP wouldn’t be a standup battle, though. GSP would take him down and ground and pound him. The question would be: can Diaz submit him from the bottom, or reverse GSP somehow and get another type of submission like an armbar? Possible. But one thing’s for certain, GSP wouldn’t keep the fight standing for very long. Not after what Diaz has done to Daley. No chance.
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