Why was GSP so good?

[DWAYNEAMERICA]

Love him or loathe him, GSP arguably demonstrated the best MMA adapted wrestling in the history of the sport. Often out-performing high level decorated wrestlers. Was it just natural born talent? An intensity of dedication to training? He's often criticized for his lacklustre striking but is it possible that his striking is great enough to trouble his opponents and throw them off of their game? Allowing him to dominate them at their own proficiency?

While he gets shit on a lot for not being a finisher it's difficult for anyone to deny his dominance. Even his haters post fight predictions like "GSP 50-45" as a diss. But what I'm wondering is how? How does a guy with zero wresting pedigree, no amateur boxing and, a self admitted, life of growing up as a soft "nerd", become so dominant?

 

[Shaddows]

I think he is an extreme hard-working perfectionist.
That made him that good.

 

[VanMMA]

He's an incredibly hard worker. Also very disciplined with his lifestyle.

 

[Bogeyman]

He was able to be calm and collected enough to keep a laser focus on using the ruleset to his fullest advantage. He had it down to a science.

 

[Pliny Pete]

He had riddum

 

[Schoolboy Q]

He was very well rounded, had good striking to make one dimensional grapplers look silly and good wrestling to neutralize strikers.

 

[Frozen Sea]

He does gymnastics.

 

[Xaero]

He was very athletic and explosive.

 

[Bewareofdawg]

I think it has something to do with the stock market

 

[DWAYNEAMERICA]

He was very athletic and explosive.

So you think he's part black?

 

[Xaero]

So you think he's part black?

He's athletic enough to do back flips and had explosive power doubles.
#noracist

You racist? You deserve dubs IMO.
#reported

 

[DWAYNEAMERICA]

He's athletic enough to do back flips and had explosive power doubles.
#noracist

You racist? You deserve dubs IMO.
#reported

Calm down.

I was making a joke at how some think calling black fighters "explosive" is racist.

#Semtex

 

[DWAYNEAMERICA]

Fighting such top contenders as Dan Hardy and Jon Fitch will make anyone look great.

Jon Fitch was on a huge winning streak and was no joke.

A totally acceptable no: 1 contender.

 

[yeguiza]

excelent fight IQ + elite wrestling + professionalism taken to another level

 

[John Wick]

He trains like an athlete. He's the new crop of MMA fighters. The future of MMA will have more A-level athletes. You must train like a Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, GSP, etc to be a champion. Look at Stipe, it's a breath of fresh air to not have an out of shape slob as HW champ.

 

[Toner]

Because of his gut.

 

[The Hash Slinging Slasher]

Because he was extremely gifted physically, and the hard work he put on top of that made him great. The guy is the mold for how athletes should discipline themselves.

In before the rassler comes in here to say something stupid

 

[SuperNerd]

In addition to a lot of things said in this thread, I think his relationship with Firas is a massive factor to GSP's success. A great student and a great teacher who shared a vision. Firas fighter's are extremely prepared for their opponent. That may not be the best for everyone, or every fight, but it was perfect for GSP.

Jon Fitch was on a huge winning streak and was no joke.

Jon Fitch makes fighters look good. Said everybody.

 

[flyingscissorsheelhook]

He was incredible at timing takedowns and was exceptional at everything else. He could dictate where the fight would take place and always fought opponents where they were weakest. It wasn't always exciting but he always found the clear path to victory and followed it.

 

[yeguiza]

He does gymnastics.

the amount of power needed to do that is insane

that´s why his takedowns were so successfull: huge torque on his legs

also, high level technique