Belal is proof GSP would've dominate WW today

[PeterGriffin]

Using Belal as any kind of measuring stick for GSP just feels bizarre.

GSP set the standards and benchmarks for every welterweight on the planet, and every WW champ since has been living in his shadow and is compared to him.

If that isn't GOAT shit, I don't know what is.

Beat EliteXC's WW champ
Beat Strikeforce's WW champ
Beat Strikeforce's MW champ
Beat the UFC's MW champ.

A guy who didn't come from 4 years of NCAA Div 4 wrestling or decades of BJJ and was primarily a karateka... but was able to physically dominate, control and smash so many other well-documented grapplers and wrestlers is pretty wild and speaks volumes towards GSP's fight IQ. Never said an opponent like Serra wasn't worthy. Never pissed a hole in a cup. Sounded super awkward while trying to shit-talk someone, but of course, that was never a part of his game.

He was a careful methodical fighter while a defending champion, and he was very aggressive and stalked his opponents as a contender. I loved watching GSP hunt for a belt. I still giggle when I think about GSP bringing in Jean Skarbowski during TUF, lol.

And for all the shit that Dana talked about GSP over the years, Dana still bent the fucking knee to Georges, lmfao. That's next-level GOAT shit right there.

 

[188912345]

Only ones to challenge GSP would be Islam and Khamzat.

 

[AmbassadorFright]

I remember this whole thing with people saying [insert Welterweight Champion here] would destroy prime GSP. It started with Woodley when he started calling for the GSP fight then when Woodley got exposed for wilting to wrestling and pressure (what GSP was known for) Usman became the guy, then got Knocked The Fuck Out by Leon and tooled in the rematch after that I even saw a few posts saying Leon's striking and average at best defensive wrestling would be too much for GSP. Then Belal (a much shittier version of Georges goes out there and dog walks him at the old age of 35. Didn't see anyone say Belal would be a stylistic nightmare for St Pierre which gave me hope the fucking noobs have realized the WW division hasn't "evolved" as much as they say it has sadly it only took OG Belal winning the belt before they finally shut the fuck up, but then Islam won and the maggots have come out of hiding to suck off and glaze Islam as the new "nightmare" for St Pierre

 

[Tweak896]

I don't know. It's hard to compare different eras. Belal just had his moment and vanished. GSP would've probably beat him. But I think GSP would've been a LW in modern UFC. It's crazy to think people believe he'd just takedown and dominate Usman or Khamzat. The WWs today are bigger than Anderson Silva.

It's not a knock, but it's hard to compare such different eras. I wouldn't think Hughes would just take down everyone today either.

 

[El Panteron]

Belal probably wouldn’t have gotten to a title shot in GSP’s era. Loses to Condit, Hendricks, struggles with Alves, Koscheck, Rumble.

No way Condit would beat him. He didn't defend takedowns at all.

 

[jnes]

You mean Roided Hendricks

Lets not act like Belal isn't juiced, his transformation the last few years is insane.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

Who are we talking about?

 

[chinarice]

I don't know. It's hard to compare different eras. Belal just had his moment and vanished. GSP would've probably beat him. But I think GSP would've been a LW in modern UFC. It's crazy to think people believe he'd just takedown and dominate Usman or Khamzat. The WWs today are bigger than Anderson Silva.

It's not a knock, but it's hard to compare such different eras. I wouldn't think Hughes would just take down everyone today either.

Khamzat, no. Usman, he could absolutely take down and control with his BJJ.

 

[nostradumbass]

That's quite a leap from better than a guy on a 2 fight losing streak who never defended the title 1 time, to "would dominate WW today".

GSP would be competitive today, but he probably wouldn't win a title. He was a complete fighter when almost nobody else was, so it was easier for Firas or Greg Jackson to set gameplans to take advantage of the glaring holes almost all of his opponents had. He has almost no chance of just shooting a bunch of double legs on guys like Islam or Shavkat and holding them down for 20 minutes of the fight.

 

[Tweak896]

Khamzat, no. Usman, he could absolutely take down and control with his BJJ.

I don't even think GSP would be a WW if he was a modern fighter.

 

[fendertach]

To be fair GSP retired when he was 32. Only came out of retirement when a favourable matchup for the belt presented itself when he was 36, then retired again before defending it. Belal is 37.

 

[pamirec]

Did Belal go for any takedowns? I was driving to Kentucky all day. Just now arrived. Why the fuck I mentioned this I'm not sure lmao. But I remember in the JDM fight belal didn't go for any damn takedowns.

I remember he tried at least five times and failed. Garry’s defence is good, but it seems Belal’s takedowns aren’t really that effective.

 

[Angelassassin53]

I don't think so. He's just a powerful wrestler with double-legs, but his striking was weak and basic. Good jab, though.

GSP was a major fight–controller with low finishing ability.

Prime for prime, I’d take Kamaru.

Never in history has the division been this strong.

Usmans entire resume is Colby 2x, Masvidal 2x, and Burns lol and even Woodley sat on the shelf for 18 months while Lawler was in 3 back to back wars and capitalized on him being completely shopworn

Hendricks, Rory, and Condit > Mas, Colby, and Woodley

Prime GSP puts the work on Lawler, Woodley, Usman, Edwards, Belal, JDM, and Islam

 

[chinarice]

I don't even think GSP would be a WW if he was a modern fighter.

Why? He wasn't smaller than JDM or Islam who just fought for the title