Cowboyronnie wrote:
It's ho-hum, I agree. But he's the only guy in the sport who can go back-and-forth between strictly stand-up fights (Shields, Kos) and strictly grappling fights (Alves, Hardy...Kos) depending on the best game-plan. He's earned that luxury of grinding-out fights because no one in the sport is as complete as him.
I understand why GSP often fights the way he does. It only makes sense to neutralize what your opponent does well, and take the fight where you have the biggest advantage. Being good in all area's affords you that ability.
Up until GSP's last fight, I never had a problem with him not finishing, and even now, I'm not sure that "problem" would be the right word. I'm a little perplexed. I think he doesn't want to hurt guys, and he doesn't want to get hit... I know who does want to get hit? But the difference, some guys can and will fight through such things, where as GSP just folds up shop and grinds out a decision in that instance. The tipping point for me, after he cracked Shields with that head kick, how in the world do you not jump on that guy? He let's him back up, and throws what 3-4 jabs over the next couple minutes? It was just mind boggiling. I know people will point to his eye, but for me, that was just an excuse, and a poor one at that. I think when GSP first came on the scene, he was a fighter, he liked being in a fight... now, after his stardom, I'm not convinced he's the same guy anymore. Is that bad? I dunno, I can't really hold it against him when he continually beats and dominates top quality talent... I just wish he still had that killer instinct every once in ahwile... but in most cases, I can undestand why he doesn't.
