Why Lawler-GSP =/= Lawler-Hendricks?

[GinjaNinja23]

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.

GSP will hold Robbie against fence. Grind the takedowns. Shitty non damaging GnP to a UD.
About sums it up. JH come back for that GSP rematch. Finally finishing up all the who won what talk when Hendricks KO's GSP.

 

[MasterNinjaRat]

Its hard to say because they have different kind of wrestling. Hendricks IS a wrestler. GSP is a fighter with the best blast-double leg takedown in the game, and one of the best if not the best takedown defence in the game.
And, what made GSP's shoots so good was his timing and speed, without them his takedowns would have never been considered the best.


But still GSP-Lawler, GSP 1,2,3,4,5
GSP-Hendricks 1, GSP 1,3,5
GSP-Hendricks 2, GSP KO, 0:15 1st round.

 

[UJustGotChaeld]

The question is how prime is GSP after a long layoff.

 

[UJustGotChaeld]

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

4 of 9

 

[thobra]

GSP is not compareable to Hendricks. GSP is so much better in all aspect of MMA, and his transitions are unmatched in the UFC, so being taken down by him is dangerous.

However, if GSP comes back, he will probably not be the same fighter after injuries and a long layoff...Then again, I believe Lawler was at his best in Strikeforce, so both guys are probably past their prime.

Would probably go as usual. GSP being cautious, and winning a boring decision.

 

[bryank]

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.

GSP's MMA wrestling >>>> koscheck and hendricks.

He can absolutely take down and at times, hold down, Robbie.

 

[bryank]

GSP will hold Robbie against fence. Grind the takedowns. Shitty non damaging GnP to a UD.
About sums it up. JH come back for that GSP rematch. Finally finishing up all the who won what talk when Hendricks KO's GSP.

I pretty much agree on the GSP/Robbie fight, but with a decent amount of TDs mixed in.

However, I think Johnny's time has passed him by. He seemed to peak at the GSP fight and has been inconsistent and underwhelming since. He's getting older, doesn't take care of himself, and I think Rory could take him as a road block to getting back to GSP, if that lines up.

 

[Redhawks100]

It's funny how people think GSP would run through Lawler as if he were Alves, Hardy, or Fitch.

This is a different caliber of fighter. Also worth a mention is that the striking at WW was very poor during GSP's reign and although his wrestling was the best in the division, it wasn't as if it were impossible to stuff his takedowns.

Lawler's scrambling ability and overall takedown defense is off the charts right now and anyone that thinks he'd be an easy fight for GSP is absolutely delusional and need to put down the koolaid.

Then again, these are probably the same people that said "easy GSP 50-45. Just another Koscheck" before he fought Hendricks.

 

[Broad Blade]

It's funny how people think GSP would run through Lawler as if he were Alves, Hardy, or Fitch.

This is a different caliber of fighter. Also worth a mention is that the striking at WW was very poor during GSP's reign and although his wrestling was the best in the division, it wasn't as if it were impossible to stuff his takedowns.

Lawler's scrambling ability and overall takedown defense is off the charts right now and anyone that thinks he'd be an easy fight for GSP is absolutely delusional and need to put down the koolaid.

Then again, these are probably the same people that said "easy GSP 50-45. Just another Koscheck" before he fought Hendricks.

This, is the truth...

 

[CerebralKnievel]

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

You write some of the most imbecilic shit here, daily.

Koscheck is a far superior wrestler to GSP. In terms of MMA takedowns, GSP set his up better than anyone, but in either regard, to say that "herp derp jockstrap blah blah blah" just makes you sound laughably ignorant.

 

[pjmman]

In drug testing UFC, GSP wrecks everyone ... including Lawler.

 

[The Don]

4 of 9

Was GSP able to hold him down or was KOS able to stand right back up?

 

[The Don]

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.

No, probably not, but he has been showing some really good takedown defense. I have also learned not to depend entirely on a fighter's accomplishments in one martial art/skill since the Jones vs Cormier fight and even more so when Gus took DC down twice (again, IIRC) in their fight.

From what I know, GSP trained in wrestling together with other martial arts for his preparation in going into MMA. Unlike KOS and Hendricks who already have wrestling backgrounds before transitioning to MMA. (correct me if I'm wrong) And yet, GSP did fairly well against both men.

Also, bare with me, my grammar and English today is very bad.

 

[Sigoff2]

It's funny how people think GSP would run through Lawler as if he were Alves, Hardy, or Fitch.

This is a different caliber of fighter. Also worth a mention is that the striking at WW was very poor during GSP's reign and although his wrestling was the best in the division, it wasn't as if it were impossible to stuff his takedowns.

Lawler's scrambling ability and overall takedown defense is off the charts right now and anyone that thinks he'd be an easy fight for GSP is absolutely delusional and need to put down the koolaid.

Then again, these are probably the same people that said "easy GSP 50-45. Just another Koscheck" before he fought Hendricks.

Am utterly shocked to agree 100 percent with Redhawks on a subject. I'll be damned if he didn't just shoot down half a dozen arguments on here.

 

[Sinthesized]

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

Nope. Lawler has some of the best TDD in the UFC and he could knock GSP out. GSP, even 100%, wouldn't be able to take down Robbie at will it or beat him at all for that matter.