The fight that defined GSP

[scottjoebob]

Does anyone have a link to a Matt Serra , Serra vs GSP *2* post fight interview ? I always wondered what Serra thought about getting mauled like that . Like , how TF strong is GSP ?

 

[CinemaKingdom]

Going toe to toe with Bisping even past his prime is a good enough striking for me

I really liked that fight. GSP had been one of my favorites until he turned into a decision wrestler, then I lost interest. But with that fight (even if he waited for a good match up) he did move up in weight and beat the champ after a long layoff. He returned to striking and putting on a great fight. He redeemed himself.

 

[Perrichet]

Could be worse, like getting tapped out by Japanese cans, one who had a losing record of 4-7.

Those losses made Anderson think about retirement and improve his grappling

 

[Franklin U.]

Are you saying Bisping is not a talented striker?

In context of elite middleweight strikers ?
No.
As a UFC caliber fighter ? Yes....to a degree ( he always brought it and was tough to best unless he fought someone who he was suppose to lose to or considered even - going in)

Look what 48 year old Dan Henderson did to him in 2nd fight. That was not supposed to go down that way.

Look what bjj practitioner Thales Leites did to him in a 25 minute walk down split before he fought a past it Anderson Silva ( which was razor close - ping won but also the one who took the damage ).

Jesus, He eeked by CB Dolloway ( like alot of his UFC decision wins).

 

[blewgums]

I could swear I saw him on his feet at least part of the time in fights after the first Serra fight -- I seem to recall him throwing a lot of jabs, and even knocking Bisping down with a hook. Might be my imagination though.

He was tapped once on the ground, and once because of strikes. Of the two, tapping to the armbar was probably worse, simply because a broken arm is less dangerous than punches to the head when you're already blacking out (ask any doctor if you doubt this).

But there's nothing wrong with tapping when you're done. In the military you're taught to surrender when you know you can't win, and then try to escape and fight again. And that's what real warriors (ie soldiers) do -- when one battle is lost you pull out and prepare to fight and win the next.

That's a thoughtful and intelligent comment.

Get the hell out of here with your reasoning and logic!

There's no place for that on the internet.

We want "GSP wouldn't fight Godzilla! GSP sucks because he never fought Prime Ali!"

Stuff like that.

And yes, for the dummies out there, I'm joking. It's called sarcasm.

 

[HHJ]

I dont agree with some of the statements you made in the OP


but two things stand out w GSP for me.

One was when he beat hughes for the title. He showed so much improvement and maturity,and made matt look like a bum.

and second,when he battled back from the Condit head kick.
That took extreme toughness and the kind of aggression that most people cant get out of GSP,cos he doesnt need to go to that dark place in his head sometimes,to beat people,but condit broiught the animal out of GSP and it was beautiful to see how bad GSP wanted it.

 

[Franklin U.]

There're 2 fights combined that define GSP to me. That's GSP vs Koscheck and Hardy. He takes the path of least resistance. He strikes with grapplers and grapples with strikers.

Koscheck title fight was after both Serra fights too.

....and I'd have no problem with that if he , at least, finished a handful of those fights.

 

[Shaddows]

GSP thought he was a solid striker, he also thought Matt Serra was a big can and decided he will play around for a round, to test his striking skills. He didn't go for a single take down, he thought this fight is too easy and a good opportunity to test his striking skills, maybe get a nice KO highlight.



He never fought on his feet again. This was the last time he played the striker. In the rematch he would take Serra down in the first 2 seconds and repeatedly take him down when Serra stood up.
This was the fight that turned GSP into the ufc wrestling control freak and according to many the most boring ufc champ to this day with 0 finishes.

While I disagree with how it was written, and we have absolutely no clue if this is what GSP was thinking (at least I never heard this side of the story). He got caught.
All I recall him saying is that it was a "macho" thing, that he got rocked and attempted to hit back instead of regrouping.


...but I do agree with the sentiment that from there on, he took a more secure path to victory, taking less chances.
But while sometimes was frustrating to see him execute his game plan to perfection, I disagree all (or even most) of his fights were boring.
I recall I was always at the edge of my sit watching them... with obviously noted exceptions (i.e. Kos 2).

 

[Iron Nick]

It's funny how often i've read that St-Pierre has the most pathetic fanbase, when there's a couple of threads per week trying to discredit or diminish what he has achieved.

 

[HHJ]

In context of elite middleweight strikers ?
No.
As a UFC caliber fighter ? Yes....to a degree ( he always brought it and was tough to best unless he fought someone who he was suppose to lose to or considered even - going in)

Look what 48 year old Dan Henderson did to him in 2nd fight. That was not supposed to go down that way.

Look what bjj practitioner Thales Leites did to him in a 25 minute walk down split before he fought a past it Anderson Silva ( which was razor close - ping won but also the one who took the damage ).

Jesus, He eeked by CB Dolloway ( like alot of his UFC decision wins).

lol At him being a ufc caliber fighter TO A DEGREE
Hes been with the company since 2007,and won the belt

 

[electricfuneral]

While I disagree with how it was written, and we have absolutely no clue if this is what GSP was thinking (at least I never heard this side of the story). He got caught.
All I recall him saying is that it was a "macho" thing, that he got rocked and attempted to hit back instead of regrouping.


...but I do agree with the sentiment that from there on, he took a more secure path to victory, taking less chances.
But while sometimes was frustrating to see him execute his game plan to perfection, I disagree all (or even most) of his fights were boring.
I recall I was always at the edge of my sit watching them... with obviously noted exceptions (i.e. Kos 2).

I agree. The Fitch fight went to decision and was very fun to watch. Fitch was so durable in his prime.

 

[VAfan]

He never fought on his feet again. This was the last time he played the striker.

koscheck? fitch? shields?

quit gaslighting, ya goof.

 

[Spookv]

Bisping out struck hendo, rockhold and anderson silva in the same calendar year.

Bisping has always been underrated. His striking is on point, his kickboxing has always been the best part of his game coupled that with his cardio to keep moving & toughness he would have always posed I believe problems for Anderson Silva.

 

[CroCopsLHK]

He finished Bisping and BJ

 

[GSP_37]

GSP fought on his feet against Fitch, Shields, Koscheck 2, etc.

 

[electricfuneral]

Bisping has always been underrated. His striking is on point, his kickboxing has always been the best part of his game coupled that with his cardio to keep moving & toughness he would have always posed I believe problems for Anderson Silva.

I always rooted against him but now in retrospect, I have no choice but to respect and appreciate that resume. I rooted against him from his Leben fight onward and he often proved me wrong.

 

[r-harper-1]

Demolishing Matt Hughes let the world know that he was the man to beat at 170

Not only did he officially become the man with the belt, but it was a Jones vs Shogun type of massacre that set the tone for a legendary career

Dc and Jones get shit on for eyepokes .... but how many times did GSP kicks Hughes in the balls during their rematch?

 

[Franklin U.]

lol At him being a ufc caliber fighter TO A DEGREE
Hes been with the company since 2007,and won the belt

In hindsight ( the rockhold he beat- "context ")- however coach P saw something and Bisping made most of it- I can't take that away from him.

However- who's the only guy Bisping overwhelmed on the feet ?

A past it Cung Le ?
OR

A mid tier middle in Jorge Rivera where he intentionally ( illegally) kneed in head/face ?

So - Yes - to a degree....and maybe I'm being a bit unfair ( I have an admitted bias against the fighter, bisping)

 

[HHJ]

Dc and Jones get shit on for eyepokes .... but how many times did GSP kicks Hughes in the balls during their rematch?

Once.

Hughes faked the second hit,and admitted as such later,to get a breather.

 

[bjpenngoat]

Theres no shame in losing to jake sheilds the guy is an all time.great but when he beats you up on the feet for a few rounds thats like losing a k1 fight to cm punk.