Prime Sak vs UFC best at his true weight

Who?

 

He would have lost to Hughes and GSP would have destroyed him, but he was a great fighter and very entertaining to watch.

 

It would have been interesting to see him against Matt Hughes. That would have been the perfect test for him, to see his "high IQ" wrestling vs (I assume) a physically stronger wrestler. Based on his rep you'd think he'd survive Hughes' power and 'find a way'.

 

Saku submits Matt. GSP probably pot shots his way to victory. Probably a boring lay and pray.

 

WTF?!! :huh

Saku beat Rampage, Belfort and Randleman amongst others, despite being a bit shopworn and way outsized by all of them.

You really think a prime version couldn't deal with Matt Hughes, who got subbed twice by Dennis Hallman?

I think it was Stoo who made the point the other day - look at how both mens' fights with Carlos Newton went.

Matt Hughes would go to the ground with Saku and would get outsmarted, outmaneouvered, and submitted, absolutely no doubt about it.

Saku vs GSP is a more interesting fight. GSP could win it by kickboxing, or Saku could dazzle him on the ground as well. Sakuraba was not so small (like Penn) that he could be easily controlled, and he was way more skilled than Shields, Fitch, or anyone else that GSP has fought. I think Saku would defeat the younger version of GSP, though the more experienced, more cautious post-Serra GSP would probably keep it a kickboxing match and win.

 

Beats Hughes loses to Georges

He'd have trouble with Hughes top game, but his sweeps from the bottom were top notch and I see Matt getting arm barred or knee barred. Saku often liked to used a kimura from HG bottom to sweep, Hughes likes to fight from half guard. Battle of the kimuras Im picking Saku

I doubt Saku could get Georges down and GSP takes advantage of Saku's poor stand up. Would look similar to the Shields fight, but GSP would sure have to work harder to avoid the TD than he did against Jake

 

Im going with Sakuraba on this, his striking isnt so bad as to loose it and his ground game is fantastic. GSP would loose for sure if it goes to ground.
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Someone hasn't seen Sakuraba fight. :yep

 

Saku would beat Hughes no doubt, GSP via points, boring kick boxing afair.

 

Sakuraba and boring are two words that cannot go in the same sentence. If we're talking about GSP from circa 2004 that would have been an AWESOME bout. Saku destroys any version of Hughes though.

 

GSP modern day would be boring as ****, but yeah a young GSP would have been a great fight.

Yeah Hughes gets messed up real nice.

 

I wish the old GSP would come back...Man that GSP was nice.... :|

 

Serra took GSP's nutsack when he beat his ass.

 

Matt Hughes would have got submitted A younger more hungry GSP would make for a good fight but the GSP of today would pick his shots and win by points