Is GSP too risk averse to finish fights?

Kos has been finished 2 times in his entire career
Alves hasnt been finished since 2006
The last time BJ Penn was finished was against GSP, only the 2nd man to do so
Fitch hasnt been finished since 2002
And say what you like about enertainment/killer instinct ect
GSP owned them all

 

Damn, took my argument away.

Pretty much exactly what I was going to say, those guys haven't exactly been effortless to submit or (T)KO.

I mean, who the **** hell has even BEAT Jon Fitch in the UFC in what...14, 15 fights?...let alone finish him besides GSP? (Yes, the answer is obvious given the context of the "question")

The only one you could even maybe give him **** for is Dan Hardy but that is explained by him simply being a bit of a stickler in listening to Renzo Gracie when training and being avid to listen to his "Think only about control, don't even think about hitting" nonsense. Yes, works great for grappling, but MMA is far different. Strikes on the ground are a tremendous tool. And I don't think anyone could have seen Hardy's rubber ****ing limbs.

There has been no one in MMA ever so dominant over such outstanding competition for this period of time. (Yes, even Fedor. While he what he did was also amazing, he was not, at any point, fighting the best one after another after another after another...GSP and Silva are the only one's doing this.)

So, how about giving the guy a break on this nonsense.

 

GSP will not ever fight stupid. He is a high percentage fighter. He will not shoot when you are ready to defend, he will not trade and as he says "roll the dice", he will not go for a sub but risk being subbed himself and all his subs are high percentage except 1 kimura.

He will fight spart and pick you apart or look for control. It is a fight so he will get caught in a sticky situation but when he does he has the skill and intangiables to handle the few scary moments.

 

There is a slight argument that GSP protects his chin. But isnt that the age old mantra 'hit and dont be hit'? Yes we all like to see finishes, but a 5 round display of seamlessly blending stand up & ground game isnt enough for some people.GSP (along with others) is going to be the blueprint for future MMA fighters to aspire too, as well as fighting and beating the best and look good doing it. Moan about lack of 'excitement' but this can be only a good thing for the sport. Compare Gray's decision wins or even Fitch's to GSP's then call him a boring grinder
bet these same people were criticising Anderson for knockin out bums (when he was actually ko'ing people)

 

It's not like GSP hides his head and runs. He stands in front of you and his hands are always a touch low.

 

still it is interesting that a fighter so dominant cannot finish his opponents.

mayweather gets critism for it so its only fair that gsp should get **** for the same problem.

personally it seems that his strikes lack power, but he used to finish guys a hell of a lot more by gnp then he does these days.

 

Is it too simple of an argument to say he's fighting better guys? Seems to be the case for me, not discounting the Serra tko totally

 

I think the old gsp was more aggessive on the ground, and on the feet.

I call it a change in strategy, his old competition was pretty damn good if you ask me.

 

I see your point, Im looking at his record and the only men who went the distance with him pre Hughes 2 is BJ, Miller and Karo. the most impressive finishes are Hughes, and Sherk who's a natural 155er. So I think it holds true that he does not finish most of the top WW's he's faced
I guess an argument could be made both ways, but we'd be here all night :think

 

He was nowhere close to knocking out Kos. There are some fighters you know you can k.o. and others you know you can't.

 

GSP will not risk a loss to get a KO. He will do his best to push that extra mile for the KO, but not at the expense of the W.

If GSP had connected clean on one of those left hooks and knocked Kos off his senses, we might've seen him go for a calculated yet brutal kill.


At some point, Kos grabbed GSP's leg. GSP got out of it easy but you could tell he felt it was already too risky.

 

:good

 

Your compassion for Kos is heartwarming