GSP-Penn II

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I agree that GSP wins under any conceivable circumstance...I just don't think he completely obliterates Penn if Penn doesn't have his greatest weapon neutralized by cheating. By the 3rd round it doesn't matter because both guys are a slippery mess but GSP really did his damage and won the fight in round two where Penn went from fresh and calm to exhausted and dead because he couldn't get GSP off of him. Maybe GSP trained harder but Penn's guard is second to none. It's almost in the encyclopedia as a proven fact that Penn's guard is borderline perfect and GSP worked through it like it didn't even exist. If the vasoline lent even a hint of help to that then that is crap. I still think GSP is the better fighter. He was bigger and stronger and preared but if he had any help from illegal lubrication then I call bullsh*t. And I am not a Penn homer really.

And gosh I'd love to see a Silva/GSP fight. I am pooping just thinking about it. They are the two best right now. Machida may be right there too but he's slightly unproven to us compared to Silva and GSP. What does Silva walk at? Close to 200?

You make good points regarding Penn's guard. I actually don't disagree there... but I think that's a testament to how freakin' good GSP is. He evolves after every fight- three years ago there is no way he passes Penn's full guard that easily. He did it effortlessly throughout Saturday night- no amount of vaseline is going to get side control against BJ's guard by itself. It's crazy because GSP had to work on his ground game- his standup was already killer. His wrestling and jiu-jitsu have taken off- he's just way more of a thinking man's fighter than most. Add to that his physical tools and training and you've got the perfect weapon. Also remember, his coach is second-to-none. I was amazed at the strategy his team employed for this fight... when GSP pushed the fight to the ground, he had a pre-emptive counter for every submission Penn could have attempted from his back. They scouted him extremely well.

The Spider matchup would be ridiculous. I think he does walk around 195 or 200... he went up to 205 just to prove himself at LHW, but he's the best at 185 for sure. I think he'd be at least a 2-1 favorite if GSP had to step up in weight... but I wouldn't bet against the Canadian.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by itvnetop

You make good points regarding Penn's guard. I actually don't disagree there... but I think that's a testament to how freakin' good GSP is. He evolves after every fight- three years ago there is no way he passes Penn's full guard that easily. He did it effortlessly throughout Saturday night- no amount of vaseline is going to get side control against BJ's guard by itself. It's crazy because GSP had to work on his ground game- his standup was already killer. His wrestling and jiu-jitsu have taken off- he's just way more of a thinking man's fighter than most. Add to that his physical tools and training and you've got the perfect weapon. Also remember, his coach is second-to-none. I was amazed at the strategy his team employed for this fight... when GSP pushed the fight to the ground, he had a pre-emptive counter for every submission Penn could have attempted from his back. They scouted him extremely well.

The Spider matchup would be ridiculous. I think he does walk around 195 or 200... he went up to 205 just to prove himself at LHW, but he's the best at 185 for sure. I think he'd be at least a 2-1 favorite if GSP had to step up in weight... but I wouldn't bet against the Canadian.

Yeah weight wise they're close though. GSP was walking at 185 after months of training to go 170. If he trained to 185 he'd could come in 190 and Silva probably comes in 195+ The size diference wouldn't be all that big. GSP really is a HUGE welter and Silva is a typical middle. God they have to make this fight before year's end.