UFC 167 - GSP vs Hendricks

[Frost]

Anyone here hyped up about this match?

A lot of people seem to be casually near-writing off GSP for this match - for reasons unknown. I know Hendricks is the current best opponent for GSP but I don't think he's the best fighter GSP has ever faced.

Key factors:
- Hendricks has no cardio. The last fight showed this when Condit took him a full three rounds, Hendricks in my books lost that round but definitely won the first two round thus giving him the overall win.
- Everyone talks about how he has a great wrestling game. When was the last time Hendricks won a fight by sheer dominance on wrestling? Also, how consistent is his wrestling game regardless of his physical condition? GSP took a nasty hit and ploughed through and still dominated via wrestling and positioning. He may be able to do well in a round or two but he will gas out.

GSP is the Batman of all MMA fighters. Ever since his last loss, he's smartened up, got all tactical and kept his fights in his strengths.

I would like to see a knockout as it is extremely gratifying but if GSP loses that way, it will almost be a shame. It'd be interesting to see GSP knock out Hendricks.

What'c'all think?

[7thgear]

i think this will be a mental game a-la Mike Tyson

if GSP has the will and heart, he will win, but if he has doubts about himself or is planning for a defensive game, i think the raw power of Hendricks will overpower him.

i'm calling for Hendricks win by knockout somewhere around the 7th-8th minute.

[Flow]

GSP by decision in 5. You can never discount the chance of an early knockout, especially by someone with Hendricks power, but, GSP's positioning is fantastic, and he'll just pick at every hole in Hendricks game until Hendricks gases, and then he'll just do it more.

[Frost]

Well this is not how I wanted the fight to end. Goddamn judges - you could also see it on the entire GSP camp including GSP himself.

He had an "aw fuck, why this, why now?" look on his face. I seriously think he wanted to retire after the fight but he is too honourable to retire after such a controversial win and not give Hendricks the satisfaction of having beaten him officially. I personally think he's tired and wants to leave but not on this note.

I feel bad for both sides.

I am also really starting to hate Dana White. All he sees is $$$igns - granted that is part of the business but GSP has brought so much money to the UFC, I think he's owed a break or retirement as GSP sees fit. That guy (White) is a prick.

[Chee-Hu]

What did Dana do? You have to look at it from his perspective, business-wise, whatever he did/say. I like the fact that he had a lot to say about Nevada Athletic Commission. Those judges weren't watching the same fight.

For Dana to actually disagree with the call is saying something, as he has always believed in the phrase, "don't leave it in the hands of the judges."

[Frost]

Originally Posted by Chee-Hu

What did Dana do? You have to look at it from his perspective, business-wise, whatever he did/say. I like the fact that he had a lot to say about Nevada Athletic Commission. Those judges weren't watching the same fight.

For Dana to actually disagree with the call is saying something, as he has always believed in the phrase, "don't leave it in the hands of the judges."

There was a whole scrum afterwards where he immediately went to GSP and tried to talk him out of what seemed like retirement at the time. I agree with his POV about the Nevada Athletic Commission but his primary intent was so emotional and driven by revenue he didn't stop to think that maybe GSP didn't want it this way. He could've just made the whole thing about the NAC clearly dropping the ball on this and then silently taken care of business with GSP.

There are rumours that GSP is suffering from concussion like symptoms since the Condit fight. Some rumours even go as far back as when he had his leg problems and he's not the same since (mentally).

The man is probably tired and wants to go away. I wish Dana would have at least given him a night off and think things through before making any press conferences. I have a feeling that GSP only showed up to the press conference after talking with White.

If I were in White's shoes, I would have spent that entire night lambasting the NAC and threatening to pull out of the Dec 28th event. The UFC has enough leverage now that if they wanted to relocate Dec 28th, someone would be willing to accomodate them. I would then go over and talk to Zahabi and simply in a low key way tell him to keep an eye on GSP and then ask to set up a meet the next day late morning or noon. This kind of spacing shows some respect for what is arguably was and still is your best moneymaker.

Instead, he just went straight after him like he was any other rookie fighter.

I like emotional people, shows they care but there is also an aspect that calmness brings. Maybe that's why I like GSP but that is also a double edged sword.

[7thgear]

when a person who gets kicked in the head for a living says he doesn't want to do it anymore.. no one, absolutely no one has the right to tell him that he doesn't have that right.


Dana White can run his mouth all he wants, but until he's the one that gets beat the shit out of him, he needs to sit down and shut up.

[Chee-Hu]

Thanks for the clarification, @Frost. But as stated above, the fighter and his camp ultimately has the last say whether or not he/she would take a fight. I sort of sense the same way when Anderson Silva wanted to retire. It seems as though Dana doesn't wanna lose his money-makers. Tough sh*t lol.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by Chee-Hu

Thanks for the clarification, @Frost. But as stated above, the fighter and his camp ultimately has the last say whether or not he/she would take a fight. I sort of sense the same way when Anderson Silva wanted to retire. It seems as though Dana doesn't wanna lose his money-makers. Tough sh*t lol.

Knowing GSP though you know he is too honourable to deny Hendricks a true opportunity at handing over the belt. I see all these people slamming GSP for not physically giving him the belt and I think those people are idiots. It's not GSP's fault that the judges screwed this one up. The look on his face when he "won" was one of "F&%k... this wasn't supposed to happen" and I think that's why his whole speech about walking away for a bit came out so weird because he initially planned on just retiring.

Now he can't. He feels like he owes Hendricks the belt.

[Chee-Hu]

Originally Posted by Frost

Knowing GSP though you know he is too honourable to deny Hendricks a true opportunity at handing over the belt. I see all these people slamming GSP for not physically giving him the belt and I think those people are idiots. It's not GSP's fault that the judges screwed this one up. The look on his face when he "won" was one of "F&%k... this wasn't supposed to happen" and I think that's why his whole speech about walking away for a bit came out so weird because he initially planned on just retiring.

Now he can't. He feels like he owes Hendricks the belt.

I agree with you about the idiots who feel like GSP should physically hand the belt to the rightful winner. As far as I'm concerned, the judges saw him winning, so until it is decided in the ring, he is still the Champ.

[7thgear]

retro wednesday..

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl-beMYQ-K0&feature=player_embedded"]GSP Not Impressed Song *Official Release* - YouTube[/ame]