Why Lawler-GSP =/= Lawler-Hendricks?

[MRT]

PLEASE AVOID DEBATING WHETHER GSP IS COMING BACK OR NOT.

Given that Rory didn't take the belt, PED testing is improved, and Robbie currently has the belt, I think conditions are as good as they will ever be for GSP's return...but who knows. This thread is more about how Lawler-GSP might play out, which seems to boil down to whether people think Robbie could deal with GSP's TDs.

A lot of people are pointing to how Robbie turned away Hendricks, and using that as evidence that GSP won't be able to take Robbie down, will get beat standing, and so forth. But aren't GSP's takedowns a different breed?

Many of you may have seen this 2-part series comparing GSP and Hendricks' takedowns and clinch game across several fights and against each other:

http://bjjscout.com/2013/11/28/gsp-v...-study-part-1/
http://bjjscout.com/2013/12/26/gsp-v...-study-part-2/

(and a tip of the hat to the editor for avoiding the usual metal/nu-rock/whatever garbage that accompanies so many MMA vids...vid 2 has some nice d&b!).

I am not a wrestler, and not remotely knowledgeable enough to critique these analyses, but they seem quite well put together. I would love to hear from the wrestling aficionados here to see what they think of them.

Robbie is no slouch...but he is nowhere near Hendricks' level of wrestling, let's be honest. Does he stop GSP? Can he dow what Hendricks did? Has GSP lost a step and no long able to execute as well? Has he addressed these apparent defences to his technique?

I still have to think that GSP takes Robbie down and keeps him there. No disrespect to Robbie...but I don't even think the fight is THAT competitive if GSP is healthy and hasn't lost too much agility. I think Hendricks or Woodley would be a significantly less favourable matchup for GSP.

thoughts? I am especially curious to hear from the wrestling guys here.

 

[TheRuthlessOne]

As long as GSP is healthy he can take lawler down whenever he wants

The question shouldnt be if GSP can beat lawler the question should be Is GSP 100%

90-100% GSP can take lawler down and have his way with him

 

[Based and White Pilled]

Lawler vs GSP =/= lawler vs Hendricks because gsp is much better than Hendricks

 

[benibloom]

As long as GSP is healthy he can take lawler down whenever he wants

The question shouldnt be if GSP can beat lawler the question should be Is GSP 100%

90-100% GSP can take lawler down and have his way with him

Hendricks and Koshceck could barely take him down so I doubt that GSP now in his career after a long layoff will do it easily. And even if he does manage he's going to pop right back up.

 

[Henddong]

I hope robbie laughs off gsp's td just like he did to ellenberger

 

[rtodd]

I hope robbie laughs off gsp's td just like he did to ellenberger

Ellenberger is not the same caliber of a fighter that GSP is.

He's not even the same caliber of wrestler that GSP is.

 

[benibloom]

Ellenberger is not the same caliber of a fighter that GSP is.

He's not even the same caliber of wrestler that GSP is.

Well Koshcheck and Hendricks are. And you mean MMA wrestler cause in straight wrestling GSP will probably get mauled by all 3.

 

[TheRuthlessOne]

Well Koshcheck and Hendricks are.

LOL

no



Koshcheck cant wash gsp's jockstrap when it comes to wrestling

Hendricks might be a little better then Koshcheck but I thought koscheck beat him

Either way they both are not on gsp's level

 

[dickcheney]

so...what your telling me is....gsp =/= hendricks? is anyone saying otherwise?

 

[KONG-D'SNT-TAP]

Doesn't make a difference, none of these guys got to face Georges at his peak, before his major surgeries.


Seeing these fights now is a watered down version of one of the most brutal one sided ass kicking we have ever seen.


Prime Georges destroys everyone. Hell, he cleaned out a division on his 2nd go around not even as the same fighter he once was.


Imagine what Diaz/st Pierre would've looked like before his major surgeries. He would've destroyed Diaz and Condit worse than what we saw.

 

[TheRuthlessOne]

Doesn't make a difference, none of these guys got to face Georges at his peak, before his major surgeries.


Seeing these fights now is a watered down version of one of the most brutal one sided ass kicking we have ever seen.


Prime Georges destroys everyone. Hell, he cleaned out a division on his 2nd go around not even as the same fighter he once was.


Imagine what Diaz/st Pierre would've looked like before his major surgeries. He would've destroyed Diaz and Condit worse than what we saw.

No doubt

Prime GSP runs the gaunlet all over again

 

[ConradMcgilcuty]

robbie would ktfo gsp easily,

 

[The Accuser]

Main problem is: 2nd blown ACL - we'll have to wait and see if GSP is as quick on his td as he was.

 

[BROWNPRIDE]

GSP don't want none dude is making up story's about aliens so he don't get his behind whooped.

 

[IamStryker]

Ellenberger is not the same caliber of a fighter that GSP is.

He's not even the same caliber of wrestler that GSP is.

GSP hasn't fought in a long time. You have no idea what he is like right now.

 

[IamStryker]

so...what your telling me is....gsp =/= hendricks? is anyone saying otherwise?

If they fought right now I would bet on Hendricks. Hendricks doesn't have ring rust. Nor did Hendricks look like Frankenstein after their last fight.

 

[The Don]

IIRC, GSP had troubles taking KOS down in their fight.

 

[KONG-D'SNT-TAP]

Prime Georges vs current Robbie would be an awesome fight though


I hope St. Pierre stays retired....



and I still dont know why people think Robbie would knock him out so badly. He never gets Ko'd and he ate bombs from Hendricks and didn't drop once in that fight. Georges is tough and has an underrated chin. Hell, Condit laid him up with a sick head kick and he just recovered and came right back at him.

Georges would move a lot in a fight with Robbie and out strike him. Once that starts happening Robbie is ripe for a takedown.

 

[MRT]

so...what your telling me is....gsp =/= hendricks? is anyone saying otherwise?

many people are pointing to Robbie dealing with Hendricks (and others) as evidence that he would deal with GSP.

the links posted show that GSP and Hendricks have very different TD technique, and also show how Hendricks neutralized some of GSP's typical techniques.

thus, perhaps GSP could succeed where Hendricks (and others) recently have not, and still take Robbie down more easily, UNLESS Robbie can effectively replicate the strategies Hendricks' employed against GSP (doubtful?) and/or GSP has seriously lost a step or two (likely to be a key variable)

 

[MRT]

robbie would ktfo gsp easily,

There is no basis whatsoever for honestly believing that, unless you think GSP is essentially crippled now. Aside from the Serra fight, which clearly influenced GSP's style going forward, when else has GSP been "ktfo easily"?

In his 8 fights since his return to the UFC, Robbie has exactly ONE "easy" KO win (over Kos). But he'll easily KO GSP? um...not likely.

IIRC, GSP had troubles taking KOS down in their fight.

Koscheck was NCAA champ and 4-time All-American. Hendricks, who largely stifled GSP, is even more well-decorated. Robbie is very good, but nowhere near that level.