“He [GSP] came to work on his Jiu-Jitsu. He arrived yesterday and I took him to Nobre Arte today. The guy is really humble and good people, besides being a really good fighter. We had only one technical training session led by Claudio Coelho and he liked it a lot. The guys there at the academy couldn’t even believe their eyes, as everyone there is a fan…I’m going to take him to practice boxing, wrestling and do physical conditioning with me to keep him active, but the main thing is Jiu-Jitsu…”
Gustavo Ximu informs Graciemag.com of the arrival and subsequent training of UFC welterweight champion Georges “Rush” St. Pierre who was sent to Barra da Tijuca on an exchange in the Gracie Barra home base to prepare for his upcoming fight with Jon Fitch at UFC 87. “Rush” will stay in Brazil and focus on his jiu-jitsu until June 10.
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more bad news for fitch and maybe BJ, who were gonna lose anyway as it was.
Yeah, I am sure BJ is losing sleep now.
Even though he called out GSP after cracking Sherk for 3+ rounds.
Don’t be so quick to favor GSP over BJ again.
GSP will crush BJ. because his plan wont be to box with him for three rounds and let him salvage his still questionable gastank, like sherk, wtf? and even still, BJ was blowing pretty hard after those three rounds of hard-sparring. GSP will not get caught in a submission. he is much stronger and more explosive than sherk, and will plant BJ many times and do what he does, immediately passing to half guard and dropping bows. and by round 2 or 3 BJ will have shit the bed again and GSP will start to take over the standup and then put BJ on his ass again and work him over until the ref calls it or time expires and the call a lopsided decision in GSP’s favour. you can say what you want about BJ being in shape and now being the best, but BJ was of the same skill level then, with the same camp, he just manned up and trained right finally. GSP has since grown tremendously as a fighter, learning new skillsets and improving his strengths, changed to one of the best camps in the world with some of the best gameplanning (except for jardine vs silva, shit), and he is bigger, stronger and faster than BJ. all the BJ nuthuggers who are already calling for idiocy like him beating GSP and then fighting Anderson should calm the hell down. GSP will show BJ and the rest of these fanboys why he and Silva are heads and tails above the rest. i like BJ, and he is hilarious and one of the best there is, but he is not the second coming, and sherk helped hand him that win by playing right into his hands. if he showed something new against GSP, id give him his due. but until then, he hasnt shown us what GSP or Anderson Silva has, and i dont believe he is prepared to handle either of those fighters given their evolution since BJ last fought above lightweight.
i’m a huge GSP fan… he’s actually my fav fighter… but i don’t know why people are talking about BJ already… he still needs to get past fitch… who i think will be his toughest fight to date… i think and hope GSP will take it… but fitch is perhaps the first person BJ will fight who might be physically stronger than him… and whilst GSP is better, i believe, in EVERY department, he usually overpowers his opponents, which i am not sure he can do against fitch.
people need to stop looking past fitch and talking about the BJ fight… the guy is 8-0 in the UFC… even if 6 of those fighters were cans… that’s still an incredible achievement… alves and sanchez are not easy wins… he controlled sanchez and demolished alves.
You are predicting what you don’t know.
I am sure you had GSP “crushing” Serra the first time.
Again, don’t be so quick to pick GSP over BJ.
Hardcase,
BTW-I like GSP. I think he is great. Your affection for him is clearly on another level.
Fitch isn’t even going to be a fight!! You’re right hardcase, GSP won’t stand with anyone at this point, he will try to take BJ down, and then what? You say pass his guard quickly? BJ will be thinking about and setting up submissions and submission attempts before GSP has him down. I will give GSP all the credit in the world for his skills (while not a fan), but I don’t see BJ losing to any top tier guy in the UFC. I truely feel as if he could move to 85 and give the spider some big problems. He’s never been ko’d…or cut (I don’t think), and his BJJ is leaps and bounds over EVERYONE!
Haemophiliac – Great post! I know 95% of the fans think GSP will beat Fitch, but at least you’re giving him the respect he’s earned.
Personally, I think Fitch is going to surprise everyone, but you won’t hear me saying anything negative about GSP. It’s going to be a great match-up with two total class act fighters.
thanks tony… i personally think GSP will win too… but i by no means see it as a done deal… i think its gonna be a very close fight and an all out war… fitch is a tough guy… very tough guy… even gsp said it might prob be his toughest fight… but i guess everyone on these boards know more than GSP!!!
Come on, BJ could beat Anderson Silva? Silvas striking would be way too much for BJ, and if BJ were to try to take it to the ground he would receive a big knee to the face as a gift. Size advantage would be too much for BJ to handle period.
Hardcase,
Don’t count BJ Penn out if you’re talkin’ about Fitch and GSP in the same sentence. BJ is “renewed” and on another level right now. So your boys[Fitch and GSP] better watch out…..On the upside, I’m also a fan of GSP…Hehe!!
comments mania…
have you guys seen the video (not shown on UFC.com) of Tito getting kicked out of press conference, then being allowed to stay, and he and Dana taking questions. Most entertaining part of the presser, of course left off ufc web site. It’s on youtube!!
It was also on here shortly after being posted on youtube
Any WW, will have a tough time beating GSP.
bj WILL GET CRUSHED THIS TIME AGAINST GSP!! Georges is 100 times the fighter he was when he won the first time around….. BJ will quickly understand that he isnt finding SHERK Again in this fight….. Lots a Luck Penn……..lololollooll!!
some posters on this site are actually giving Fitch a chance, you guys are crazy (not you hardcase!) They put fitch against GSP because there isn’t any really good competition for GSP at WW. Karo is way overrated, Kos too! I think if Diego can put together a few wins, he vs. GSP would be a good fight. BJ is the best fight for GSP, and will beat GSP. GSP can train BJJ in Brazil for 2 years non stop, and BJ will still be 10 times better in the art. We all have seen how much stand up GSP has wanted to do since getting KO’d, so when and if he takes BJ down, what then. Don’t compare Serra jits to BJ jits, thats laughable!
I agree with KOs and Karo being overrated but I think Fitch is being undersold here.
Forgive me if I don’t hold your word to be bond but you had Tito manhandling Machida and we all know how that turned out.
yes we do, Machida took tito down with 10 seconds left in first to solidify that round. Circled and threw 5 punches in the second, landed a perfect liver shot in the third, and 10 seconds later was almost submitted. He wanted no part of Tito on the ground, and was very “elusive.” I’m not new to mma, and IMO, champions aren’t “elusive,” they fight. Yes, his strategy will decision itself to a title shot, but name me another champion of the sport that circles, throws ineffective and virtually useless switch kicks and is really just a bore to watch. You can’t!! Even Timmy and Arlovski (post KO) are more exciting to watch. Not only did I pick Tito to win, Machida proved he was scared of Tito’s clinch and ground game!!!
Fitch’s whole gameplan is to control top position. If the opportunity to throw a few punches or sink a RNC presents itself then so be it. Otherwise he’s content to hump his way to decisions and somehow remain relatively immune to accusations of being the boring LnP fighter that he is. GSP will not be controlled on the ground, and Fitch will not survive to a decision.
Do you train at AKA? When did you become part of the Fitch’s gameplan for GSP?
I suppose there is always some possibility that he does something radically different than his first eight fights, but otherwise refer to my above post.
Kevin, I see you are still hating on Machida. lol… Sorry but I think hiis performance over Tito was very impressive. He fought for 15 minutes without ever getting hit. Chuck is almost as elusive as Machida, but you dont complain about him because he has more KO power. I actualy found the Machida fight very entertaining, and impressive.
As For Fitch, weather you like it or not, he will be GSP’s toughest opponent since he fought BJ Penn, so it will be a competitive fight that wont end in the 1st 3 rounds…. GSP will win, but not before the 4th round and it w i be very competitive!
I think he’s just saying that’s how Fitch has won in the past, and if he wants to beat GSP, he needs to come with somethi
Kev, I agree with most everything you say, however I must say that Machida completely owned Tito and dominated that fight (minus the triangle, that he was still able to escape). Tito tried to take Machida down several times, but was unsuccesful. He’d either get pushed right away like a ragdoll, or slammed to the ground like the b*tch that he is.
I used to not be a fan of Machida. But after his last 3 performances, I am a BIG fan. He just can’t be touched, keeps the fight where he wants it, and frustrates his opponents to the point where they are on the verge of tears.
At the end of round 2, Tito goes to his corner whining that “he keeps running away from me”. Meanwhile, his face is all bruised and bloodied up and he has a Q-tip jammed up his eyelid to stop the bleeding. Meanwhile, Machida looks like he just had a $1000 spa treatment.
Machida’s style used to be boring to me, but now it is truely a thing of beauty. It is going to take a VERY high level striker to beat Machida. I actually hope that the UFC keeps Machida down, so that way I can keep on winning easy money off of him.
I agree with one point mike, if he keeps being this “elusive,” no one will beat him. I mean with those impressive switch kicks and the 5 punches or so he threw in the 2nd. Nobody will be able to catch (up to) him! Like I stated before, I can respect his record, but his STYLE is boring. The same people who love Machida, hate timmy or the new dancing arlovski. The only difference is they engage way more than Machida. I really enjoy a technical ground match up, and in no way am looking for brutal KO’s every time, but Machida does bore me! Sorry, but give me a BJJ match up that has slick sub attempts and reversals any day over “elusiveness!!!!”
PW & Pat, all I can say is that you actually need to watch Fitch’s fights. I’m willing to bet you’re basing your opinion on the couple fights you’ve actually seen.
Only 1/2 of his 8 wins were by decision. The rest were submission or TKO.
Kev, totally understand!
My somewhat of a new liking of Machida may subconciously be stemming from my dislike of Tito – so I may be a bit biased. Tito as a person, when he’s not “in character”, seems to be real cool and down to earth. I just don’t like Tito Ortiz the fighter – he is just too one dimensional and wants way too much for what his skill set demands. Nice triangle though! Honestly though, there was about a 2-3 year period that I didn’t watch the UFC – it was right when they made the rule that you had to wear gloves. I thought that it was going to really take away from the sport I loved to watch. And ever since I first saw Tito fight at UFC 19 vs Guy Mezger, I was not a fan, I actually hated him. I just always wanted to see Tito lose. (That was not Tito’s first fight in the UFC. It was his first fight that I watched live.
If Fitch wants to win this fight, almost all of all of his technique has to change. Some can gave him a run in his last fight, tell me Wilson and GSP would go the distance. And as for (wrestling) power, which Fitch fight has he shown to have nearly the power of GSP? Their next fight is a no-brainer.
Look, seing how GSP improved constantly and RAPIDLY, I don’t understand how everyone says GSP’s jiu-jitsu is so far below BJ’s. He submitted Matt Hughes, BJ didn’t. He himself rolled around with BJ and BJ didn’t even come close to submitting GSP. I think it’s more likely that GSP will submit BJ. As for Fitch, I believe that it is likely GSP will beat him. However, Fitch has been game-planning forever and will simply wait for an opportunity. He will lure GSP into a familiar reflex reaction and then try to capitalize and inflict damage fast, mount fast off a freak transition, etc. He has the strength and mental acuity to do it. GSP has to watch out only for that. Not that he needs to be paranoid, but striking would be the safest bet for GSP.
I love all of this BJ talk… Keep GSP’s weak mind out of focus so Fitch can claim the belt
hey mania, don’t know if this is relevant, but with the may 31 card I pasted a new kimbo interview, do what you like with it, thanks
MMAyou.com: First, how are you doing?
Ferguson: I’m okay, I’m okay.
MMAyou.com: How’s training coming along?
Ferguson: Trainings going good, I can’t complain.
MMAyou.com: You’re set to face James Thompson next, give us your thoughts on the fight.
Ferguson: I can’t really predict anything, I’m not a psychic. I do know I train hard. I’m training with the best in the world; that’s Bas Rutten. All their fighters; Randy Khatami and these guys are preparing me to kick ass and take names and that’s what’s up with me.
MMAyou.com: You’ve gotten some criticism in the press from Dana White and Chuck Liddell. Do you have a message for Dana and Chuck?
Ferguson: Yeah, I love those guys. They’re great guys. I’m a big fan of the UFC. Chuck is one of my great fighters. I love watching him fight, I love his performances. I love what Dana White’s done for the sport man and if it wasn’t for those guys I wouldn’t be where I am today. I thank God for them and God bless them.
MMAyou.com: You’re on the cover of this month’s ESPN Magazine, what does that feel like?
Ferguson: I don’t let all that get to me. I mean sure, it’s really big time for me and it’s big for the sport. I thank God that I was in the right place at the right time. I guess I’m coming into the sport with a different style, a different flavor. And I’m hungry for it. I’m hungry for whatever. I don’t turn down no opponent. I’m willing to fight whoever wants to fight me. Being on the cover of ESPN man, it’s great for the sport. It shows that a guy who dedicates himself with great sacrifices and great commitment, and respects the game can do it. You can actually do it and become successful at it.
MMAyou.com: That’s awesome. Speaking of your opponents, are you fighting Mike Tyson next? There’s been rumors about it.
Ferguson: I don’t know about that dude. We’re gonna keep that one on the hush-hush.
MMAyou.com: (laughing) Alright. Is there anyone you’d like to face right now?
Ferguson: Nah, I’m just… I don’t want to call anyone out cause to me that’s kind of rude, you know? To just assume you’re gonna kick someone’s ass. You just gotta be prepared for a battle, you know what I‘m sayin? That’s what it’s all about. One on one. Two guys getting in there and it’s a real life chess game.
MMAyou.com: Where would you rank yourself in the worldwide heavyweight rankings?
Ferguson: I mean I’m… I dunno dude. There’s a lot of great heavyweights out there man. I’m a big fan of all those guys and it’s just so awesome to be in the midst of these guys, amongst them. We’re all from the same walk of life.
Everyone starts from somewhere and the ultimate goal is to eventually become king of that cage. To be on top with holding your hand up. And that’s what it’s about, you know? If I was ranking myself, you know, I don’t know. That’s not for me to decide.
MMAyou.com: What’s the difference between fighting in the street and fighting in the cage?
Ferguson: It’s a big difference. Street fighting you don’t even really need any training for it. Anybody can get in there and throw hands and knock someone out. But like I said what I brought that was different to the street fighting I guess was my style. My style of fighting with no training at all. I had a real unique style and that was with no training. Now I’m receiving training and I wanted to challenge myself. There’s really no comparison.
You just can’t compare street fighting to fighting MMA. MMA takes sacrifices, commitments, MMA is a way of life. When you represent the sport even when you’re not fighting, the way you walk around in the street, people will know any minute “That’s that guy who fights MMA”, and that‘s what it‘s about. When you’re a street fighter it doesn’t really even matter. You’re a street fighter. You still smoke your weed, you drink your drink, you have your cocktails often, and you can party and it don’t even matter. But when you’re fighting an MMA fighter you gotta have sacrifices and commitments and dedication to the cause.
MMAyou.com: You’re training right now with Bas, who’s a great legend. After seeing him and training with him do you think he should come out of retirement and challenge for some titles?
Ferguson: Oh man Bas can still kick ass to this day. I know he can and if he does I pretty much fully support one hundred percent, not that he would need my support, but Bas is the man! And he still hits hard! You know what I’m saying? He can still…. I mean, man! I mean sh**. Sh**! If he comes out of retirement it’s gonna be a problem for a lot of people.
MMAyou.com: In closing, is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Ferguson: I thank them all for the love. Keep watching. I always keep my fights entertaining. I thank all my sponsorships. I thank all my trainers; Bas Rutten, Randy Khatami, Shawn Thompkins, for showing me how to throw hands and use my style. These guys have been in my corner since day one of my pro career and I thank God for them. I thank God for my fans. Even the ones with the negative criticism about me, I thank God for them too.
hey mania, lots of vandy fans on here, found this on another site, thought it was a good heart felt read!
Wands blog after 84
“My greatest joy was without a doubt to be able to bring happiness to those of you who never gave up on believing in me. My true friends, now we have been redeemed. I spent the day reading and re-reading the messages from you on the internet. You have no idea how happy I am. I am certain any fighter would love to have fans like you. I went through three hard months, training for this fight, and it wasn’t just once or twice that the messages from you uplifted me and stimulated me to keep on training intensely. This fight was decisive. I was under a lot of pressure. I had to win by all means. But at these tough times I could see you guys were with me. To have the affection of you guys on my side is an honor, it is priceless. I was very moved and felt like crying after the win. Thank God I cry from happiness. At that moment I thought of all of you excited by this so long-awaited moment!! Now you can also talk to me on myspace (myspace.com/wanderleisilva.com). Here I’ll be able to get to know you better. I haven’t the words to thank you enough for the strength you have given me. Let’s beat our chests and celebrate with much joy, because this victory is ours!! Thank you so much.”
Absolutely agree,, as if GSP NEEDS TO GET ANY BETTER TO BEAT ON FITCH!!!! LOL… Scary when the best fighter in the world is training harder and learning more than his lesser WW competition……..GOOD-LUCK Victums!!
wow, he’s gonna make his standup his weakest element soon
and thats saying something, cuz his stand-up is phenomenal.
absolutely agree, he is a very dangerous fighter
His stand-up is not phenomenal. It’s solid, and he has good form, but he’s not overly effective with it. People get caught up with the fancy strikes he throws, but his stand-up is over-rated, although improving. BJ has better stand-up IMO. Just like how some ppl still under-rate BJ’s ground game b/c it’s not that fancy, same goes with his stand-up. But guess what, he’s very effective.
Stand-up is more than just HANDS. GSP utilizes his kicks and knees WAY more than BJ. Those 8-10 HARD leg kicks GSP landed, had a lot to do with taking the wind out of BJ’s sails. BJ has 38% T(KOs’). GSP has 43%. GSP is the better overall striker. Sherk isn’t the best striker and he rocked BJ a few times. Sherk didn’t land anything solid on GSP,when they fought.
there is nothing wrong in working on his weakest traids, remember, this is MMA, he needs to be well rounded. I’m sure he’ll continue to train his stand up just as much. The spider went to train wrestling in the US before his fight with hendo, got to be ready for anything nowadays.
Well, he’s training kickboxing with Kru Phil Nurse (youtube this guy), so he’s gonna tighten the holes in that aspect of his game. Physically, his biggest “weakness” is probably his clinch work. He holds his own, but I haven’t really seen him control people using a MT plum or Greco clinch. I also haven’t seen him work much dirty boxing.
I’m sure that’s next. After his Fitch fight he’ll probably go to Thailand or something.
I also want to see him work with Randy Couture. I think that would be the last piece of the puzzle in terms of skillset. We know Randy has great Greco and dirty boxing, and he’s a very good teacher as well.
True, but how long is it before he takes his opponent down when he get in the clinch. He’s been working on it. We seen it in the last Hughes and Serra fight. Serra did get out of it fairly easily though.
Exactly… GSP is the best right now and still has the fire burning to keep learning. Superb attribute for a champoin. Fitch will be tough but not tough enough.
GSP doing Jits for his match w/ Fitch?
He must be expecting to fight from his back during the course of the match…
he’ll be ready for it..but fitch won’t get him down
Well what do we actually know about his ability off of his back? He’s on top or on the feet, I heard somewhere that he has like a minute in all fights fighting off of his back. I see him outwrestling Fitch, beating on him, and choking him within the first two rounds anyways, but probably just doing it to better himself as a fighter. Maybe He’s getting ready for a super-fight(BJ Penn).
We know lots about his ability off his back. Like you said ,”he has a minute in ALL his fights on his back”. NO ONE CAN PUT HIM THERE, so it is a moot point. He fought the best of the best wrestlers already and he made them look like they AREN’T even good wrestlers.
I don’t think he “expects” to be on his back. Hughes and Kos are better at takedowns than Fitch, and that’s taking Fitch’s size into account. GSP just tries to prepare for every situation. I think when he goes back to NY, he’ll be able to get his black belt from Renzo Gracie. He might also be doing this to prepare for upcoming fights against BJ or Anderson. Anderson is not nearly as slick on the ground as he is on his feet, but he’s still technical and knows how to use his long limbs to his advantage.
anderson is a BJJ black belt…
under the noguieras no less
I know he’s a black belt under Nog. I’m just saying he’s not as dangerous on the ground as he is on his feet. I don’t think that’s really arguable.
sorry to be such a pain Pat, but I really think anderson’s ground is just as dangerous as his stand up, I think ppl get too overwhelmed with his stand up and think his ground game is his weakest attribute, but I think the ground is just as dangerous.
talking about anderson, all the brazilians out there check this link, anderson doing some good impressions of his fellow MMA colleagues LMAO (it’s in portuguese ppl, I don’t think it will be funny for non-speaking portuguese ppl, but take it for what is worth, anderson is a class act).
http://www.tatametv.com.br/videos/116.html
Fair enough, lynx, but put it this way. Is Anderson Silva the most dangerous MMA striker? Yes. Is he a top 10 grappler? I don’t think so.
i doubt that… he said he’ll never look past an opponent again… he’s doing it to sharpen his game and be the best gsp he can be vs fitch… “on da top of ‘is game”
Well said Pat, I think this is a very acurate assumption.
gsp is a “all around” mma fighter, so he is willing to train everything..
Expecting to be on his back for the course of the match?? Did you see his fight with All-American Josh Koscheck?
So what???
Did you expect Serra to knock him out???
Exactly.
So, let me get this straight. You’re basing Fitch being able to get GSP be down for the course of the match, on the fact that Serra knocked him out? How does that make sense?
Yea, sure, anything can happen, but if you’re playing the odds, it’s HIGHLY unlikely that Fitch will be able to have GSP on his back for the course of the fight.
I don’t know if you noticed, but GSP has been on a mission since his loss to Serra. He’s looked better than he did before the Serra fight, which is saying a lot.
GSP is simply working on another aspect of his game. If he finds himself on his back during the Fitch fight, then he’ll have another form of defense. Don’t discount GSP’s wrestling, though. I wouldn’t be surprised if Fitch is on his back for the course of the match. And if you’re Fitch, that’s the last place you want to be.
It was also HIGHLY unlikely that Serra would have knocked him out the first time.
Your argument is dead in the water.
I am not against GSP winning.
I think you are looking past Fitch’s abilities and assuming too much.
That’s it.
I see Fitch getting the same type of beatdown that Sherk got against GSP. Fitch was very unimpressive in his last fight and IMO there is no aspect of his game that GSP wont be stronger than come fight night.
BJ not GSP.
Actually, I see this going to a split decision in GSP’s favor.
Fitch looks like a true tough guy to me.
I don’t see why he is not getting any respect from the MMA fans.
GSP is good but come on…
I definitely think Fitch is a great fighter and is worthy of a title shot. I think he’s easily the number 2 guy in the division.
I just didn’t agree that Fitch will have GSP on his back for most of the fight.
Fitch beating GSP would surprise me, but not shock me. It’s not like Serra/GSP.
I dont see Fitch going 5 rounds with GSP. I respect him but 5 rounds with GSP will be too much.
greg jackson tries to ensure all his fighters prepare for every situation… he makes GSP fight off his back… cause even though he is hardly ever there… and prob has the best takedown defence in mma… jackson says you need to be prepared to fight from the most difficult situations…
plus he trains all disciplines individually anyway in his continuing quest to be the best in every department… so it makes sense… he trains wrestling with the canadian national team, boxing with badass cubans, muay thai with phil nurse… just shows he’s always trying to improve.
i don’t think fitch will put him on his back… but he needs to be ready if he does… cause fitch is one big strong dude…
He trains boxing with WBA Jr. MW champ Joachim Alcine.
No not exactly, get over Serra’s one and ONLY win over GSP. I don’t even know why someone would bring it up to prove a point. GSP RAPED Serra last time they fought. Isn’t it obvious that GSP wasn’t himself, he came back AS HIMSELF and OWNED Serra to the point of making him look like an AMATURE.
Fitch throws Kos around at the gym. Fitch is more powerfull then Kos and IMO a better wrestler. Whether he can keep GSP on his back is another question all together, but I do think that he’ll at least put him there. it will be his only chance to win. We saw verse Chris Wilson that his striking is not his strong suit so He doesn’t want to trade with GSP. Plus GSP is more athletic. I think GSP is being smart. He can’t think he’ll out wrestle every opponent so it’s best to fill whatever holes in his game he may have.
KOS is a better wrestler than fitch bro… i think you’re wrong there… not just for his paper credentials (NCAA Div I champ etc) but because his takedowns are very explosive and fast… very fast. Fitch… however, is stronger than KOS… bigger, taller, and much stronger…
i don’t know if he can get gsp down though… that takedown defense vs kos in round 3 was something else…
I’m not sure how you can be sure Kos is a better wrestler. Especially if you talk to the guys who train with them.
Don’t underestimate Chris Wilsons’ striking. I think he’s going to give a lot of WWs trouble in the future.
Rumble Johnson would put Chris Wilson to sleep.
Possibly, that dude’s got some potential as well. I know he has a long way to go, but he’s about as athletic as GSP with more size.
I would like to see those two go at it. Honestly, I want to see Wilson face some solid WWs to see what he can do. Obviously, he showed well against Fitch. Let’s see how he does against some of the other guys.
BJ PENN WILL BE A FAR SECOND BEST IN THE WW DIVISION SHOULD HE MAKE THE MOVE UP INTO GSPs WORLD…. NO OFFENSE INTENDED BUT GSP WILL DOMINATE THIS DIVISION WITH PENN LEADING THE WAY CONTENDER WISE FOLLOWED BY THIAGO AND ANTHONY JOHNSON IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE…
How could you even begin to claim that Fitch is a better wrestler than Kos? In MMA, Kos has taken down everyone he’s fought (including GSP, although GSP did defend 1 TD). Fitch was outwrestled by Carneiro, and had troubles with Wilson.
In their NCAA careers, Koscheck finished 4th, 2nd, 1st, and 3rd in the NCAA championships. Fitch failed to even qualify for the NCAA championships his Sr. year at Purdue.
As for GSP training BJJ in Brazil, since when does training BJJ mean GSP plans to be on the bottom? BJJ is as much a top game as guard game. This training is only going to make GSP that much better.
GSP is as talented as any fighter, and he improves faster than anyone else. Just 2 years ago he was a purple belt, and was impressive on the ground, but he’s now a high level brown belt and his ground game is now the best at WW in MMA (passing, subs, sub defense, and GNP).
Dude, all I’m saying is ask the guys that train with them. There’s no doubt Kos is a more decorated wrestler.
what do the guys at AKA say?
That Fitch throws Kos around in practice.
No disrespect to Kos, but that’s the word on the streeet.
I’ll give you more powerful, but Fitch is not a better wrestler than Kos, and I’m talking in MMA terms, not college/amateur. Also, while Fitch is the biggest fighter GSP has fought, let’s not forget that GSP trains with the likes of Nate Marquardt, Keith Jardine, and Rashad Evans, and he actually out-wrestles them.
I see all of the points being made about Kos wrestling but I still don’t agree. Does he have some of the most explosive takedowns in MMA? Without a doubt, but once he gets an opponent down, then what? He has trouble keeping them down and he’s been swept on more than one occasion. Look at when he finally took Diego down at the end of that round one. Diego had his back within seconds of being slammed. So while I give better takedowns to Kos, I’m still saying Fitch is a better wrestler for MMA
I think we can all agree that Kos and Fitch are equally adept at taking their opponents down and attempting to make in-ring love to them.
i think fitch is taller than rashad and marquardt… plus a fight is something else… i don’t know… i just don’t see why people are counting fitch out… i hope GSP wins… and think he’s a better all round fighter… but i think fitch poses problems that none of the other fighters GSP has fought have…
Getraw-
I would call what you describe as evidence that Fitch has better BJJ than Kos, but not better wrestling. And I would agree that Fitch has better BJJ than Kos (but not better than GSP).
The problem for Fitch is how he is going to take GSP down. His takedows aren’t anywhere near as good as Koscheck’s. And Fitch himself was taken down 2x in Rd 1 against Roan Carneiro. Fitch doesn’t want to be on his back against GSP, and that’s where he’ll end up far more often than him on top of GSP.
True indeed that he does not want to be under GSP. I am only stating his only chance to win is to get GSP down. Getting it done is another story
The guy that is going to take GSP down and control him , doesn’t exist in the UFC, or anywhere else ,at least not yet. I will say this now with confidence, Fitch WON’Ttake GSP down. Not even once. Are we forgeting Matt Hughes. Don’t forget GSP is the ONLY one who has beaten (more like OWNED)him lately. Does anyone think that Fitch would throw Hughes around like a rag doll. I sure as hell DON’T.
haemophiliac , Marquardt is 6′1 and Fitch is only 6′0″ and Nate and Rashad are way bigger and stronger than Fitch. GSP can take these guys down at will and they CAN’T take him down. GSP last two fights weren’t a fluke when he MAULED Hughes and Serra. He is just that dominant of a wrestler and he can take anyone down (no matter if they are 30 or 40 lbs heavier). Fitch is no different and he will get mauled by GSP. If Fitch was able to maul 2 LESSER opponents in his last 2 fight (rather than go to decision) than there might be something to argue about, but he wasn’t.
We can speculate all we want here on who is a better fighter and who will fight on their back etc. It will be a great challenge to both fighters.
We have all heard that fighters at the Jackson camp that fight in the light heavy weight class have problems getting GSP down so by someone saying that Fitch will take GSP down because he is stronger than KOS don’t really matter cause I doubt both KOS and Fitch are not as strong as a light heavy weight. But Really Who Cares??!!
We will find out in August.
good for him that he is trainin with the best at varioous disciplines, as long as he does’nt train running with lyoto and kallib.
I just think that GSP loves all aspects of MMA and loves to study the various arts. I don’t think it has anything to do with his specific game plan against Fitch or anyone else. Just pure love of MMA. another tool in the toolbox. You just have to love that. I think a match between him and a fully in shape and focused BJ would be a hoot. I have a hard time seeing him lose though.
Fitch hasn’t fought the who’s who of MMA yet. He hasn’t beaten Matt Hughes, BJ, Kos. Sure he beat Sanchez, but it wasn’t very dominant. He just sort of controlled it the whole time.
Fitch has beaten Thiago Alves.
demolished alves… and controlled sanchez… who is very very hard to control – just ask kos – like no one has controlled him before…
he’s the reason sanchez started powerlifting.
and he didnt beat alves… he demolished him. complete domination.
I find the mentality of the “casual” MMA fan hilarious. BJ beats Sherk and all of a sudden he is gonna completely destroy GSP? Do a bit of research and you will see that not only has GSP defeated BJ (admittedly a very tough fight) but he TOO also completely crushed Sherk when they last fought. They have also both beaten (and lost to) Matt Hughes in the past, however I believe GSP’s victory’s have have been far more dominant and impressive. I’m in NO way saying that BJ cannot defeat GSP, we all know anything is possible in MMA, but it is ignorant to assume that BJ is the new “GSP Killer” after beating Sherk at 155.
As for Jon Fitch vs Georges, I’ve been watching all their fights lately to compare and contrast. Fitch has shown me nothing yet that would suggest that he can beat a fighter the caliber of GSP… Fitch is a lot bigger, but he is more sluggish and not as explosive as St Pierre. If you don’t believe me, go and watch their back catalog of fights. Georges is more impressive than Fitch at every aspect of the game, and will EASILY be the toughest competition he has ever faced. Fitch reminds me of Matt Hughes in his prime, animal strong, with raw talent, unsurmountable heart and determination. GSP however is just better in every way.
Of course these are my opinions, feel free to bombard me with belligerent criticism, just keep it factual I’m not interested in half-witted responses.
No one on this thread is claiming BJ to be a GSP killer. Find that statement and paste it.
Alot of the “casual fans” here will surprise you with some decent knowledge so throttle down your pretentious tone.
I can only speak for myself in that I believe that BJ is a better fighter today and a GSP victory is not automatic. Period.
You can back catalog all of Serra’s fights and GSP’s fights before they fought the first time and I would have bet my nutsack that GSP would roll through him.
You can call me a eunuch now.
Your assessment of Fitch is on point. Good point.
Yes yes, we all bow to your grandiose knowledge. Sit back on your dwarf throne and laugh at the casual fan, pretending to be a superior expert while regurgitating what others have already said umpteen times. That was impressive. Perhaps you’ll have an opening amongst your underlings soon.
And yes, Fitch is no slouch, he totally beat Alves, which is impressive but it doesn’t really come close to comparing who GSP has beaten and completely dominated.
This response SHOULD really annoy me, but I actually found it quite funny!
I’m not claiming to be a “superior expert” in MMA at all, I’m just a die hard fan who likes to voice his opinion.
Take it or leave it…
Waiting for Kevin to put you in ur place in 3… 2… 1….
ok pat, you wish, I deliver. This is exactly why I don’t usually come down to the bottom of threads…The same shit has already been said at the top (under my post! BJ of old and motivated I wanna beat everyone BJ is totally different. He used to roll through guys when he was out of shape. He beat an in his prime Matt Hughes in less than a round, and was picking him apart in the second fight until he broke a rib (which unlike GSP, has never been used as an excuse from BJ), as a matter of fact you, my casual fanned friend, probably didn’t know. I’m not guaranteeing victory, but by the end of 2009, BJ will hold 2 titles, and better yet will have fought (and possibly won) a third! BJ is strong, no one at any weight has thrown him around, he’s never been cut or KO’d and there isn’t anyone in the world today that has even close to the BJJ skills he has. His stand up is very good, and if you happen to be getting the better of him standing, your worst nightmare is taking him down!
As for Fitch, unless he can lay on GSP for 5 rounds, he has zero chance. Yes he deserves a title shot, but it’s by default, because no one else is even close to GSP in the ww division
LOL at BJ and his fans not using the separated rib as an excuse (and his rib wasn’t broken, BTW). All BJ’s losses have numerous excuses from BJ fans.
BJ is great, but GSP is better and improving faster than any other fighter. If they fought again, GSP would win, as he can hold his own on the feet, can take BJ down, avoid subs, and wear Penn out.
I don’t know about others, but this fan wants to see BJvGSP because I have no idea who would win. Also because I think they are the two most entertaining fighters to watch (They are my two favorite fighters).
Even though BJ is a natural lightweight, I don’t have any reservations about saying that BJ and GSP are the number 1 and 2 (order unknown) 170 fighters on the planet. Can anyone think of any WW that would beat BJ more times than he would lose (other than maybe GSP)? Can you think of anyone at WW who could consistently beat GSP?
I want to see this fight because I think that BJ is the only person that has a good chance at beating GSP at 170, and also because I think GSP is the only person who has a good chance at beating BJ at 155 or 170.
I love fights where there is no clear underdog.
wow, finally a great comment and opinion. Flame on if you want, but I think in a couple more fights, Diego Sanchez will be ready (not saying he’ll win), but ready for a shot!
Kevin,
I am a Diego nuthugger for sure but I am not sure about that statement, my friend.
BJ has a chance against GSP, Diego has no chance, he will get manhandled.
GSP submission RND 1
Fitch is going to shock some people in August
serra was a shock… IF fitch wins it won’t be a shock… unless he steamrolls through him.
How? Is he gonna be bringing jumper cables?
Pat,
LMAO.
I think he meant shock as in surprise/scare them. Probably by bringing in a huge inflatable doll that looks like GSP and a couple of rottweilers and then letting the dogs tear it to pieces in front of the crowd.
Then GSP would probably come in and pound out Fitch in the second or third.
And then train the dogs to respond to the Quebecois accent.
Yes, train the dog’s to kill Lord St. Pierre’s jesters that aren’t funny… GSP: “I’m not impressed by his poorformance.” dogs attack*
I don’t think I’ll ever count anyone out again, but if I were betting money…It’s be on GSP. I like the fact that he’s working on improving on his game. Just because you’re at the top, you shouldn’t be happy, you should always improve to make sure you stay on top and this makes me think that this is what GSP is going for. By the way, does anyone know who has the reach advantage between these guys? I try to find a fighters reach and I can’t. You’d think this was something that would be listed on the UFC website because it’s quite important.
I want GSP to beat Fitch, and then do what nobody has ever done…KO BJ Penn with a strong headkick.
OK OK OK! Read what i needed to, (Put it down OJR!) Listen, it has nothing to do with the Sherk fight, it has nothing to do with Matt Serra, and its definitly not an “all of the sudden” thing. I dont care what GSP does/is doing/is going to do, BJ WILL come out confident while GSP comes out throwing bricks into the local lakes/rivers with BJs name on them (headcase), BJ WILL dictate the pace while GSP watches for big right hands and takedowns (Just defending), BJ WILL not be taken down by George EVER this time (thats probably his main goal!) (Unless George makes it to the 5th) . . . AND HE WONT! Georges is great, hell, hes second/third best, and in the world of of MMA we live in today with millions of fighters second/third aint bad at all. If BJs calling you out, you must be doing something right OR revenge is just BJs cup a tea.
Yeah, you know I had to stand my ground. I was waiting for my support. Glad you showed up.
Yea, Fitch is good but George only loses if he doesnt take em seriously like he did Serra. Besides that, the odds of George losing again on the second time he tries to defend his title for the first time (LoL) to again leser comp would have to be some amazing odds! Not gonna happen, george has learned his lesson, i think. BUT all this “he’d crush BJ” BS is laughable. If anything it would at the least be an amaing fight. To think GSP is gonna treat BJ like a Serra or a over the hill Hughes is just rediculous. At this point i go Anderson Silva/GSP/BJ, and GSP has earned that spot (2nd) because he did beat BJ and he is a great fight regardless. But BJ only sits in 3rd because he hasnt returned the favor to George yet. It will happen, when Dana says it will i guess. Then what will all the GSP ans talk about i wonder, GSP/Kos2, GSP/Hughes4 . . . While BJ moves up to 185 and higher. GSP is just a stepping stone (A HUGE ONE) but just one step on BJs path to greatness and what BJ is trying to do, GSP wants to be the best Welterweight of all time, BJ wants to be the greatest fight of all time (Bruce Lee sh*t!) GSP will be a distant memory before he even becomes a significant thought on the long road BJ is on.
I think the fight will be a close one, but I still think GSP comes on out on top. I don’t think Penn will move up to 185 or higher. Next we’ll hear about him fighting robots from the future.
hahaha… true say.
Hes undefeated at 185, a champion at 170, a champion at 155 . . . Why wouldnt he move up further than 170 LoL, do you know anything about BJ Penn??? He seeks out the best (as you can see everytime he calls out George) So after George why would he stay at 170, figure it out man. Its the same reason hes leaving 155 ASAP, to move on and move up. RESEARCH!
He can’t get past GSP, therefore, he will not move up. RESEARCH!
WoW, we’ll see.
BJ lost to Hughes, looked OK in the Sherk win, and is nowhere near the strength, or any part of MMA (minus BJJ) that GSP is. Oh and he already lost to the vastly improving GSP. So tell me how he will beat GSP. The guys that GSP steam-rolled, are the guys that are on par, or better than Penn. So yeah, Penn calls guys out, means shit. That got his face pounded through the canvas against an old man. This is no opinion. RESEARCH.
All this talk about how GSP has changed soooo much since the first fight makes me LMAO! Lets all watch GSP’s first 3-4 fights and then watch his last 3-4 fights . . . NOT ONE THING HAS CHANGED!!! LOL! He WAS great and IS great, but extremely improved . . . Hes been a purple-brown belt in BJJ for 2-3 years now. (BJ has been a Master Black Belt for over a decade!) So because he gets KO’d by Serra one day and then does what he should have done the day before on the next day he improved??? BJ dispossed of Serra nearly 5 years ago, along with 2 Gracies that Serra trains/trais with since then hence the name “The Gracie Kiler” . . . GSP beat Hughes for 4 min and 58 sec of their first of (5 min) fight and then GSP went out and completed what he started and Hughes didnt get a ucky sub, improvement??? Thats like BJ beating hughes in their 3rd fight and me saying BJ has improved because of the victory LOL BJ was tooling him then and would tool him now so it waont be any surprize to me, just BJ being BJ and doing BJ. beating Kos, a worse wrestler than Hughes is an improvement, come on. So where is all this improvment by leaps and bounds???? BJ had no weanesses before except cardio and he has corected it = IMPROVEMENT! RIGHT??? BJ has completely revamped his camp, his life, his way of thinking inside and outside the octagon. While GSP is seeing shrinks for a guy like Matt Serra LMAO!!! Are you kidding me, all hes done since BJ is fight the same two guys twice (besides Kos, hes lamer then the other 2) While BJ has faught two 3 former champions, and a co-#1 contender and gained another belt while bringing in thousands of new fans for himself. Before it was “BJ is -2 in his last two fights, then hes 1-2 in his last 3 fights, then 2-2″ Now 3-2 which is really 4-2 if you include the Renzo Gracie fight at 185lbs( You guys dont bring up his record anymore huh). AND then i was his cardio so he takes out two cardio machines in a row (and 1 was a former champion and one a co#1 contender)(I dont hear anyone talking about his cardio anymore) You guys are running out of things to go after BJ about and i love it! While GSP just adds to his wierdness and gives me ammo on the regular, but improve, not from what ive sen, not compared to BJ Penn.
Kos better than Penn?!?!?!? Serra better than Penn?!?!?!?! Hughes better than PEnn?!?!?!?! Are you nuts, are you some little kid just messing with meLOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, You act like Hughes owned Penn in the second fight, come on, have you even seen it. BJs beaten Serra like 6 years ago, yea, the midget that KO’d ya boy. RESEARCH! or watch some MMA or something kid.
You guys really drank the BJ kool-aid didn’t you? Wowza.
I was thirsty!
Nah I agree with you adam all the way. GSP got star struck, that was the only time he didnt do good. He smashed Frank Trigg, the same guy who gave Hughes big time trouble, and out wrestled Karo in GSP’s DEBUT. GSP has alwasy been good.
Notable past fights: Destruction of Frank Trigg, very dominating over Karo Parisyan
Recent fights: Out wrestled Kos(no damage), Destruction of Hughes and Serra.
I just dont see a huge difference here. Both our awsome things, but the recent is not better than the past. GSP is GSP, alwasys has been, always will be. And BJ Penn showed he can beat him.
Adam, that over the hill Hughes KOed your boy BJ and GSP CRUSHED him TWICE. Do even bother bringing up BJ beat Hughes, A LONG TIME AGO, because it was A LONG TIME AGO. The most recent fight is the one that counts. Like if you are champ and a guy that you beat 10 times, beats you, HE IS CHAMP NOW, the past is irrelevant. BJ is not a champion at WW, He is a former champ who most recently lost to the CHAMP and LONG TIME (proven)champ in his last 2 attemps. BJ is great at LW, but he will NEVER be WW champ, at least as long as there is a guy named GSP in the division.
Adam , you think GSP first 3-4 fights are the same as his last 3-4. You say he was good before and he is good now. NO ONE is going to bye that BS. GSP beat those first 3-4 guys, but he RAPED Hughes and Serra, lately he has made guys look like they amatures. It was ALL GSP, they did nothing to him. You are blind, if you think he hasn’t improved his game after his loss to Serra. I know you can’t see it, but it wasn’t ALL BJ against Sherk, in fact Sherk rocked BJ at least twice.
LOL at this. GSP took Penn down with every TD attempt in Rd 2 and 3 when they fought the first time, was successful in 4 of 5 TD attempts overall, and GSP is even better now at every aspect than he was the first time he beat Penn.
Penn can’t control the pace because GSP can keep distance with a reach that’s 11 inches longer than Sherk’s, and kicks that will pepper BJ’s legs and slow him down. GSP is too good and too athletic for Penn. Nobody improves as fast as GSP does, and couple that with being an insane athlete, and you have a very tough guy to defeat.
“he can’t andle ‘is riddim”
4 out 5 take downs on a BJ that not only was fat and out of shape but he underestimated GSP and didnt train period probably, i bet he didnt train for more than two weeks if that for their first fight. AND GSP COULDNT FINISH HIM SO WHO CARES IF HE HUGS HIM ALL DAY ON THE FLOOR OR AGAINST THE FENCE, WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOU CANT DO ANYTHING ONCE YOU GET EM DOWN????? GSP was and is in great shape and he was hella tired fighting a FATTY!! BJ had reason to be tired, he didnt do anything for excercise before the fight and GSP is a stud in that department, so its expected. Why was GSP so tired? Maybe because a FAT BJ is pretty tuff o handle AND an in shape BJ is a moving massacre. We’ll see huh, im just waiting for GSP to respond to Penn and for GSP to stop being a b*tch, he is a champ isnt he . . . But he lets this guy that he beat “so easily” according to you and would beat again by “crushing him” according to you just talk and smear his name every chance he gets. Its cause GSP knows whats going to happen and how skilled BJ is and that BJ is his only comp. Period. But let me guess “he does his talking in the ring” right, that kind of a guy is lame to me, like a Sherk, or what we call a b*tch.
I’ll tell you what it means Adam. It means he threw him around, picked him up off the ground and slammed him to be exact, and controlled Penn. It means GSP wins the fight. To say he under-trained and was outta shape is just lame excuses. Should’nt Penn know he’s fighting in the world’s premier MMA league? It cost him a boat-load of cash to “under-train” did’nt it? BJJ and his mouth are the only two aspects of his game that are bigger than GSP’s. Tell me where I’m wrong, and by the way, I’m a huge Penn fan, and yes he poses threats but, there’s just no way.
I dont need to explain anymore to you kid, we’ll see by the end of 2009 whats what, if GSP stops ducking Penn that is.
You’re not making much sense to me. “Ducking”? GSP’s hand is already dealt. He does not decide who he fights. He’s never ducked anyone (neither has Penn), although Penn has lost to GSP, so his next objective is to call him out. GSP doesn’t call poeple out, he doesn’t need to. He just wins fights. And in devestating fashion. Penn, Sherk, Hughes, and the list goes on. Shit son, please don’t explain anymore. And who cares about the past, I could say he easily disposed of Sherk (far more convincingly) way back when, or that Penn went to a draw with Uno, but I do not need to. That’s little stuff. Small talk. We’re talking about a future fight right? I hope so. Again, you’re making a very small amount of sense, I know what’s what. Just remember that weirdo you say GSP tossed him around last time hahaha. Thank-you for your input, I like that. That will be all.
I love BJ, but please stop excusing his losses by saying “well, if only he had trained his cardio more”. That’s BS. That’s like me saying Sherk would have beat BJ “if only he had trained his boxing more”, or insert any discipline in place of boxing lol. It’s all part of the game.
I’d only half-excuse BJ for the Hughes loss because he broke his rib (and no, Matt Hughes didn’t inflict it, he had no idea BJ broke it since he never hit him in the ribs).
GSP’s ducking…Who was it that moved down in weight again? Oh and bragging about a decision over Serra isn’t much to brag about. By the way, thanks for that remedial internet searches 101 course.
I am a huge fan of both BJ and GSP. All of you people talking about what GSP did to penn the first time should go back and watch the fight again. It was REALLY close. I thought BJ won, and 1 out of the 3 judges agreed with me.
Split decisions are nothing to brag about! They are cause for rematches, if you ask me…
Penn has teh advantage pretty much anywhere. Boxing, and BJJ, so why will GSP smash him? He wont
How could you even think B.J. won that fight? or that he even had a close fight with Rush. The only reason that fight lasted that long was because B.J. Betty thumbed him in the eye. That fight would have been over waaay sooner if he did not do that. You should wake up and smell the Poutine already.
Gsp would beat penn much more convincingly now than last time, a razor thin decision. I just can’t see how fitch is going to beat gsp, How? I still think koscheck is a better fighter than fitch, and look what koscheck accomplished with gsp. Face it people gsp is the king of the welter weight and will be for a long time to come.
BJJ – advantage Penn
Striking – advantage Penn
Winning- advantage Penn
Lets just assume you are right. Where did that get him last time? GSP is the better striker, 43% t(ko) vs Penn’s 37%. Striking includes KICKS and KNEES, which GSP is better at (or at least makes more use of ,hence their records) than BJ . Look at how BJ beat the LW champ(Sherk) and look at how GSP made the WW champ (Hughes)look like an amature. Sherk put up a bit of a fight. Hughes got RAPED. Hughes is BETTER than Sherk. GSP already beat BJ. Bj has improved a little, GSP has improved a lot (you would have to be a BJ fan to not see this). GSP will beat BJ.
Prediction for GSP/PENN 2
Penn weighs in at 166-169 lbs without cutting any weight. He is in the best shape of his life. GSP weighs in at 170-170 1/2 and is what he always is, a huge 170 in phenomenal shape. The stare down is even more intense on Penn’s part than the Sherk fight, but GSP smiles it off.
Round 1: They come out and touch gloves. GSP circles away while Penn stalks him. Penn works his jab while GSP fires off leg kicks. Both are somewhat successful but no telling damage is done in the first minute or so.
GSP ducks a straight right from Penn and shoots. Penn does that triangle position with his leg and defends the takedown, but GSP backs him against the cage with his momentum. Penn circles away immediately and fires off a couple strikes. It opens a minor cut below GSP’s eye.
GSP regroups and ratchets the pace up a notch. He fires off some head kicks which just miss doing some real damage. Penn stays in the pocket and they trade. GSP lands a good hook, but Penn actually advances after it and they clinch. Penn tries to trip him but GSP maintains his balance.
The round winds down with neither able to score a takedown or do significant striking damage. GSP has a small cut, but otherwise the round was very even. Penn takes it due to the cut on two of three scorecards. The other judge gives it to GSP for landing the hook later in the round.
Round 2: GSP comes out like he’s all about striking for the first few moments, but then transitions into an all out bid for a takedown. Penn holds him off with incredible displays of balance but GSP is relentless and he gets the takedown. Penn pulls rubber guard immediately. GSP tries to work his GnP from inside Penn’s guard but he does little to no damage. Penn attempts a triangle choke but GSP gets out of it and he stands up. Big surprise, he wants no part of Penn’s guard. Penn stands up and they resume their striking battle.
Penn looks less fresh than GSP but it is nothing particularly telling. GSP fires off kicks to the legs and head. Penn checks most of the leg kicks and avoids anything upstairs. Penn’s jab finds a home a couple times but nothing significant opens up for him there. GSP goes for a spinning back kick. Penn grabs his leg and takes him down.
Penn tries to hold GSP down and inflict some damage. GSP avoids anything severe and explodes up after less than a minute. In the final moments of the round, GSP scores another takedown, but Penn reverses it in the last seconds as the crowd goes wild.
Penn gets the round on two of three cards. The other judge gives it to GSP for the extra takedown.
Round 3: Penn is breathing heavier but not looking gassed. GSP looks more winded than usual but is definitely the fresher of the two. The round starts slower than the first two. They circle for awhile trading blows. Penn has the more effective jab, GSP the more effective leg kicks. After a straight right finds its mark Penn advances, looking to put GSP away. It doesn’t happen and GSP takes him down.
GSP holds Penn down for the bulk of the round by doing enough work to stay busy and not get stood up right away. Penn doesn’t find any openings for a sub, though he avoids much damage. GSP lands some knees when he transitions to side control. Penn gets him back in his guard and they get stood up in the last 30 seconds. Penn looks a tired but GSP is cautious and doesn’t rush him in the stand up.
The round ends as they circle each other and GSP gets it on all three cards.
Round 4: Penn comes out all business for the forth round. He’s still got gas in the tank, just not as much as GSP. But he’s not messing around and after landing a couple solid shots GSP wants no part of the stand up.
They clinch and GSP backs him up to the cage. GSP picks him up and slams him to the mat. The crowd goes nuts. But as GSP tries to mount Penn reverses him and takes his back. GSP tries to scramble away but Penn has his legs locked around GSP’s mid section and is applying the pressure. GSP defends the RNC well at first while Penn fires off shots to the side of his head. Penn tries to use his leg to hold down one of GSP’s arms. GSP’s scrambles out and reverses him. Penn pulls instant guard. GSP rains down a couple blows but Penn grabs his arm and locks in a triangle choke.
GSP taps out with less than a minute remaining.
Penn is declared the number 1 pound for pound fighter in the world by many, though Anderson Silva is right there.
Talk about BJ fighting Anderson begins immediately.
And then you woke up. That was a nice little dream, but in reality GSP wins.
Fitch will give GSP a good run, But I dont see him beating GSP..
lets say it how it is gsp is #1 (maybe in the world) .finch is damn close . but gsp will out smart finch wear him down and hold his belt.a lot of poeople dont relize gsp is a diffrent fighter since serra knocked him out and a better one at that.as for gsp and silva it will never happen but it would be gsp,s biggest fight ever as for who would win we will never know! GSP is the best fighter at 170 and no one will take his belt for a long time!
argghhhhhh i love/hate it when i like both fighters so much… Huge props to Fitch but i want GSP to win this one .. Canadian eh!
Did any B.J. fans even see the first fight? He clearly thumbed G.S.P in the eye and that is the ONLY reason that fight lasted that long. Penn would get destroyed by Rush and Silva . He should stay with the weight class he is in now. He could not even touch G.S.P. now.
GSP is scared and so are his fans, thats why they want BJ to stay in the LW. Hey Kobracum, was it the thumb that caused the bruising on GSP head, was it the thumb that sent GSP to the hospital, while BJ was in the clubs dancing. Why dont you wait after the fight to talk, but i guess even if BJ wins, you and all GSP nuthuggers will find an excuse why GSP lost
matt hughes made bj look stupid and gsp did the same to hughes, twice. gsp is just too strong and explosive for bj. talent wise, they’re both pretty equal. but gsp is too much for him. bj should stay at 155 and dominate.
Adam G – wow… that is all I have to say. BJ Penn might be the ‘prodigy’ but he is going to be ‘rush’ed back down to lightweight in a hurry if he fights GSP. Plus, we probably won’t get to see that fight because the winner of Florian vs Huerta is going to spank BJ like the little child he is.