did u guys see the interview where Shields says Diaz would beat GSP?

If Diaz wins a round against GSP, I would stop watching MMA.

 

Prediction. Diaz fans will claim Nick is the one fighter at WW who can beat GSP. They'll say GSP is mentally weak and Diaz will exploit that. They'll say Nick is better than GSP both on the ground and standing.

Then George will pound his way to an easy 5 round decision and Diaz fans will say he sucks because he didn't finish Nick.

 

Precisely.

Ok we all know GSP isnt the most "all heart" fighter out there but he fought with one eye last night and won all rounds. Where is the criticism of Shields?? This guy suck as hell and has now lost two in a row. Definitely one of the worst fighters (based on performance) in the history of the UFC.

 

Hehe true
Any chance you do lottery numbers too fella

 

He's that good huh?

 

This is going to be the next idiotic bandwagon that people jump on. Diaz would get taken down at will and held on the floor by GSP for five rounds. Another snoozefest decision.

 

I see your point Thom but Diaz does at least have two strengths which mean Georges has to engage with one them. With the exception of Koscheck (who did in theory have great wrestling + knockout power in his right hand) the safest route to victory has been clear against all his recent opponents - take them to to the ground and control them. Against Diaz GSP is going to have to either engage in Nick's striking or jiujitsu. Now I think he'll be able to shut Nick down from the top but at least he'll be proving he can overcome an offensive threat.

The backlash against the Shields fight is based on the fact that Shields was a pure hypejob from the media and the UFC, and the media is getting pissy their gullability was exposed. It was clear from just watching his matches that Shields lacked the takedowns to get St. Pierre to the ground and the striking to be competitive on the feet. Despite blinding St. Pierre and being gifted at least one round on two judges scorecards he still wasn't good enough to beat the champ.

 

I agree with you first point, but labeling Shields a hypejob is a bit strong, I think he did better than GSP's last two opponents put together as he actually came back at GSP. Everyone knew GSP was always hard to take down.

 

I should clarify - hypejob in terms of being a contender to GSP. He's obviously a very good fighter but too many people were blind to how bad the stylistic matchup was. You say everyone knows GSP is hard to takedown but if that's the case why were so many pundits picking Shields to win by submission? Given GSP's safety first tactics and Shields technically poor wrestling it was obvious this fight was rarely going to the ground.

To me the fight played out pretty much as expected except Shields got a lucky shot through that hurt GSP and had better defense standing than previously (the stupid overhand right was based on Shields tendancy to walk back with his chin out and left hand down). I don't think he offered anything more in response than Koscheck did (you look at the post fight pictures GSP was pretty marked up after that fight too) and Koscheck's orbital bone was messed up from GSP's first punch. Hardy at least showed impressive flexibility to escape submission.

 

Ya but it was more than a lucky shot.

Hardy got taken to the ground because that was GSPs gameplan, he knew Hardy could not mount anything offensive on the groung.

GSP was not marked as significantly in against Kos, certainly not enough to impair his vision.

 

GSP would pot shot him and take him down once or twice. He'd win 5 rounds easily.

 

GSPs alright, a bit boring, his style is not my cup of tea. I actually love the way Diaz fight more.

But I cant help myself, I'm just really objective.

Why? You think Diaz will win a round??

 

Sheilds seems like a good guy with a decent head on his shoulders- that being said, it seems a lot of these guys (that lose) always talk about I could've won if I did this or that, or if "so and so" fights GSP he'll win because of this or that. It's reminiscent of PBF in a way, in that regardless of the level of opponent or their particular strengths, GSP (or PBF for that matter) find a way to win. That's what champions do.

I'm not saying GSP is unbeatable- but he has such a good perspective on how easy it is to get beaten in the MMA game, that he trains and searches out the best teachers with a certain desperation. He tirelessly searches for the next edge which I feel keeps him one step ahead of the comp at the moment.

 

Diaz has been feasting on lower level guys in Strikeforce for the last few years. Here's a thought. How about he fight and beat a top level guy like Carlos Condit, John Fitch etc etc before GSP takes him down again and again and again for a 25 minute shutout.