Help me better understand GSP's opponents.

I started regularly in 2015. I've gone back and watched a lot of old fights, but mostly of those still currently fighting. The only old GSP fights I've watched were his ones with Hendricks, Hughes, and Penn, (Btw, unbiased opinion, I had GSP squeaking 3 rounds against Hendricks).

The other big three I keep hearing of are Fitch, Koscheck, and Shields, but I keep getting them mixed up with each other because they're all described as the same fighter. What made them unique from each other? Before I watch GSP's fights with them, if I had to watch one of their fights to best understand how their whole shtick, which would it be for each?

 

I'll describe them:

BJ: LW
Fitch: one dimensional wrestler who's vegan
Shields: one dimensional wrestler who throws coffee
Koscheck: one dimensional wrestler from Fraggle Rock
Hughes: one dimensional wrestler who mutilates piglets for fun
Serra: LW
Diaz: hasn't won in 10 years

Spoiler

"I'm kidding. They are all pretty good. GSP was the best anti wrestler in MMA history.

 

Hmm, that seems a little contrary to what I've heard before, but i'll take your word for it.

 

I don’t think that any intelligent person could call him a can. Seems more like an issue of you just not liking him. Which one of your favorite fighters did he destroy?

 

Well there's the midget that made him tap to strikes, the stubby armed wrestler that busted him up on the feet, the dude with zero takedown defense that dropped him with a headkick etc..

 

Fitch is relentless chain wrestler with serviceable striking, he was on like a 15 fight win streak and GSP made him look like he didn’t belong in there.
Koscheck is also a great wrestler who actually had good striking and legit KO power. GSP jabbed his face into hamburger meat.
Shields is a world class BJJ practitioner without much of a standup game. He was on a 14 fight win streak when GSP beat him.

 

Most of them are 1 trick guys especially hughes, the only reason they hype him up so bad is because GSP beat him. Hughes doesnt beat welterweights in the top 5 today.

 

A wise decision, RayA. UFC multiple division champions are chumps.

 

Lol at all the trolls undermining his wins.

GSP is the GOAT and still living in haters heads in retirement while these bums who will never achieve a 1/10th of his success comment on his career from the comfort of their mother's basement.

 

This forum is lousy with butthurt little trolls.

 

GSPs only two losses are to Matt Hughes, who was fighting his 41st pro fight, while GSP was fighting his 8th, and was only 2 years into his pro career. He came back and avenged his loss in impressive fashion. And to Matt sera, which is regarded as one of the biggest flukes in mma history. He destroyed him in the rematch.

 

Like who? Nearly every fighter can do a bit of everything and still do one thing very well. Is that what you mean by one trick? Who are these whirlwinds of terror in the top 5 that are so unstoppable?

 

Imagine a nice guy like GPS making people cry and feel butt hurt.
Now thats GOAT

 

And one of those 14 wins for Shields was moving up to 185 and dominating a prime Dan Henderson for 5 rounds after nearly getting KOd in the first. Shields had a LOT of momentum and hype back then before GSP just shut him down.

 

GSP is overrated.

Okay bender boy.

 

This is the best differentiation I've heard so far. They're usually lumped together as the same guy. I don't feel like watching all of their fights, but if I had to pick one for each that best highlights them, which would you recommend?

 

Fitch - Excellent wrestler who was dominating everyone at the time. Captain of the Perdue wrestling team.

Koscheck - Great wrestler, all American if my memory serves me correctly. Also had dynamite in his hands and was getting KO/TKOs left and right. Pretty much Tyron Woodley for the time period.

Shields - Great grappler, all American wrestler, superb BJJ, was on an insane run with wins Woodley, Lawler, Condit, Maia, and Dan Henderson.

So pretty much, GSP is the GOAT. He dominated these dudes on the ground and on the feet.

 

He beat all of them in their prime. He was gifted the W against Johny though. And i love Gsp btw.

 

Koscheck
Striking: B
Clinch Grappling: C+
Shot: A
Grappling: B-

Fitch
Striking: C-
Clinch Grappling: B+
Shot: B-
Grappling: B+

Shields
Striking: C+ (Awkwardness brings it up from C)
Clinch Grappling: B
Shot: C+
Grappling: A

 

You’ve seen one GSP fight you’ve seen em all.