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St. Pierre vs. Hendricks. Real Talk.

4K views 44 replies 21 participants last post by  El Bresko 
#1 ·
I have all the respect in the world for Johnny Hendricks, but I have to ask - do people honestly believe he's the one to dethrone Georges St. Pierre? I still think Kampmann would have posed more of a threat to the WW kingpin, his awful fighter IQ notwithstanding. I get it... Hendricks hits like a truck. But so do Matt Serra, Josh Koscheck, Dan Hardy, and Thiago Alves. In fact, it might be said that each of those men has devastating, one punch, knockout power. And each was made to look an absolute fool, some of them in the standup (Alves and Koscheck in particular). I don't even see Hendricks as being a more well rounded striker than these men... he's literally the Dan Henderson of WW in that he relies on a single punch. And if he can't find it, his arsenal is literally cut in half. The only threat I see Hendricks posing is the same one Matt Serra posed... swarm and catch GSP in a flurry. I suppose that's always a viable option.

And what of Johnny's wrestling? He has his credentials, but so did Jon Fitch. So did Josh Koscheck. I don't think it matters how good a wrestler you are in this day and age... you're not outwrestling GSP. So what does Hendricks bring outside of that single punch? Can he do what Condit does off of his back? Doubtful. Does he have exemplary TDD? No. Which means that this is going to be precisely the type of ugly, drawn out fight that people hate to see from the champion. GSP will take him down each and every round, break his spirit, and win a lopsided decision. I don't want to say it will be exactly like the Dan Hardy fight, which I didn't thoroughly enjoy short of GSP's sub attempts, but I'm willing to bet it will be damn near close.

Johnny's having only one real tool will result in a meh fight. GSP needs to be fighting well rounded fighters, because they bring out the best in him. Even though the fight went to a decision, Carlos and GSP put on a potential FOTY candidate. And that has everything to do with Condit's being good all over. GSP is like that child genius we all went to school with. If you give him standard level school work, he's going to get bored and under-perform. If you give him an actual challenge, however, you're going to see what he can truly do. Hendricks is no test... Hendricks is Applied English 101.

Just my two cents. If the UFC could contract GSP to fight Carlos ten more times, I'd be on board. I'm scratching my head trying to figure out who brings a complete game like Condit does. It's impossible to argue that Johnny hasn't earned his shot. He definitely deserves it, and I give him respect for doing what he does. But GSP isn't going to move backwards in their fight and give him the range to land a thing. End result, and even I will say this, will be a not so exciting, one sided clinic.
 
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#2 ·
I actually had a chance to ask GSP about it, and he had this to say: "Johnny 'endricks is the most dangerous fighter I've faced in my career."

To be serious though, no, I don't think he has much of a chance. They will probably sell the fight on "This guy knocks everybody out within seconds and he is impossible to take down" but in reality, he will likely be 50-45'd like the rest of them.

He absolutely deserves the title shot though. There is no question about that.
 
#4 ·
Once Hendricks faces a fighter who knows how to avoid a telegraphed overhand he'll lose again. In my opinion it's just a run he's on. In a year he'll be back fighting mid-tier guys just like all the Hardys, Sotis and Stanns of the roster. In this day and age you need to have more than one weapon. Even more than two weapons. Best you bring the whole damn arsenal.
 
#5 ·
Honestly I think this is the perfect fight for GSP to finally get a finish. I think that this'll be a fight GSP barely looks to strike apart from his using his jab. I don't see Hendricks stuffing GSP's takedowns outside of the first round and he'll likely wilt by the championship rounds which he's never seen before. Round 4/5 will be GSP repeatedly passing guard and hopefully finish with a sub or gnp.
 
#6 ·
Thought i do agree with GSP dominating hendricks, people arent giving hendricks the respect due.

There is a reason, believe it or not, that hendricks connects with that big right hand. If it was TELEGRAPHED, it wouldn't have hit Kampmann. He sets the punch up nicely with his jab and the way he covers distance after the jab is PHENOMENAL.

There is only one other fighter in the division who covers distance with his punches like Hendricks, and that's gsp himself.

Here's the thing, we KNOW GSP is acceptable to a flash KO. And we KNOW hendricks has the heaviest hands in the division. He doesn't have the best arsenal. That's obvious. But if there is anyone that could get a flash KO on GSP, its hendricks. I mean who else in the WW division has knocked off 2 top 5 (?) fighters within the first minute with one punch? None. Carlos condit is a GREAT striker. The reason he has so many knock outs thought isn't because of his power, it's because of his combinations.


Hendrick's deserves his shot no doubt, and sure he will probably get 50-45'd, but if there is someone that has the best chance to flash KO GSP, it is definitely Hendricks.
 
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#7 ·
The only other fighter in the WW division that is as dangerous as Carlos is in all aspects of the game is Nick Diaz. Like Carlos, he has the striking, toughness and elite ground game to keep GSP busy where ever the fight takes place.

That said, I did under rate Hendricks' timing and accuracy going into the Kampmann fight big time. He's a very, very dangerous fighter for any one in the WW division - including GSP. Unlike Kampmann though, GSP's footwork and head movement doesn't absolutely suck.

Seriously Kampmann, you really need to work on that head movement and footwork buddy.
 
#8 ·
I don't know that GSP is necessarily susceptible to flash KOs. No more than anyone else that is. Serra didn't flash KO him. And that kick from Condit showed that GSP actually can take a fair amount of damage when knocked down. Though I get your point, that being that Hendricks can probably knock out just about anyone if given the opportunity.
 
#13 ·
don't know why so many people completely rule out hendricks. He'll be harder to get down than almost all of GSP's previous opponents and he'll hit harder than all of them, GSP will have to move for 5 rounds. Obviously GSP is the favorite but with an up and comer with the hands like Hendricks you can't say he'll get run over, GSP hasn't faced a good strong wrestler in a long long time.
 
#17 ·
You know he has a bigger chance than most people give him credit for..

Prior to fighting Hendricks, Jon Fitch was only KO'd like once?

The guy has one of the quickest lead hooks I've seen in that division and its very deadly.
 
#20 ·
Like I said in another thread Kampmann and Ellenberger are more dangerous fights for GSP because they have more tools. I don't really think it is fair to compare Hendricks to the guys you are comparing him to though he is a better wrestler than all of them but Kos and he trashed Kos standing when he wasn't being eye gouged.

Kampmann's head movement is fine. He is good at slipping punches; it is his footwork that is terrible.

GSP didn't tool Kos the second time around or Shields wrestling and Fitch got tooled wrestling by BJ so I don't think you can act as though he is some amazing wrestler. Guys like Ellenberger and Hendricks should be able to stop most of his takedowns.
 
#21 ·
Like I said in another thread Kampmann and Ellenberger are more dangerous fights for GSP because they have more tools. I don't really think it is fair to compare Hendricks to the guys you are comparing him to though he is a better wrestler than all of them but Kos and he trashed Kos standing when he wasn't being eye gouged.

Kampmann's head movement is fine. He is good at slipping punches; it is his footwork that is terrible.

GSP didn't tool Kos the second time around or Shields wrestling and Fitch got tooled wrestling by BJ so I don't think you can act as though he is some amazing wrestler.
Guys like Ellenberger and Hendricks should be able to stop most of his takedowns.
To be fair, GSP didn't try to tool either one at wrestling. He wanted to stand with them. The fact that he was able to stop THEIR wrestling, which is their primary weapon which was something they've used against several other high level fighters means GSP DID control the wrestling.

Fitch is an amazing wrestler. Just because he got taken down by BJ doesn't change that. That was a shock factor, not a weakness. Ellenberger and Hendricks will have nothing for GSP in the wrestling department. Nor will anyone at 170 right now.
 
#25 ·
The fact that Hendricks throws EVERYTHING into his punches is the reason he wont beat GSP, and the reason GSP will take him down almost at will.

Even in the commentary for his last fight, Goldie mentioned that when he throws, he throws with such power that it puts him off balance. Now, I dont often listen to what Goldie says but he does have a point.
You think GSP will be able to capitalise on that? I do, I think Hendricks will spend the vast majority of the fight either on his back or head hunting.
 
#26 ·
Hendricks could definitely pull the upset, but it's not very likely. GSP has a lot of experience against wrestlers with big left hands.

I want to see GSP beat the **** out of Nick Diaz.
 
#28 ·
Hendricks is a much, much more accomplished wrestler then Fitch, Kos or anyone GSP has fought. He is a 2 time national Champion at Oklahoma State and was like 52-0 as a senior wrestling at the highest level for an elite program. Fitch was captain at Purdue but he wasn't a 4 time division 1 All-American and 2 time National Champion like Hendricks. When it comes to wrestling Hendricks accomplishments are on another level then anyone GSP has ever fought. Don't fool yourself into thinking Kos of Fitch had careers that even approached that of Hendricks.
 
#32 ·
I don't remember anyone being able to hold Hendricks down. He might be taken down by GSP but he should be able to get back up better then anyone. Story is freakishly strong, I don't GSP has the same kind of strength.
What does it say about some ones wrestling ability when they lose the wrestling exchanges because their opponent is too strong. Hendricks didn't lose to Rick Story because he was freakishly strong, where was Storys freakish strength in the Charlie Brennenman fight? The Martin Kampmann fight? The Damian Maia fight? All of those guys easily out grappled Rick Story, but Hendricks wasn't able to.

I think that speaks volumes about his wrestling ability.

He has outstanding credentials, but as has been proven time and time and time again in the past in this sport, wrestling credentials don't tell the full story. He's a good MMA wrestler, but that's really just about it.
 
#35 ·
What does it say about some ones wrestling ability when they lose the wrestling exchanges because their opponent is too strong. Hendricks didn't lose to Rick Story because he was freakishly strong, where was Storys freakish strength in the Charlie Brennenman fight? The Martin Kampmann fight? The Damian Maia fight? All of those guys easily out grappled Rick Story, but Hendricks wasn't able to.

I think that speaks volumes about his wrestling ability.

He has outstanding credentials, but as has been proven time and time and time again in the past in this sport, wrestling credentials don't tell the full story. He's a good MMA wrestler, but that's really just about it.
Story is an up and down fighter. Just look at his record, it's impossible to make sense of how he can lose to some guys and defeat others. That's the problem with MMAth and saying since he did this to him and they did this to him then they will do this to him. I just doesn't work that way. I agree that Hendricks is still learning to apply his wrestling to MMA, but that doesn't mean he can't get up when GSP puts him down. I think he can.
 
#29 ·
You can't put that much power behind a shot without setting yourself up for the takedown. Hendricks would be on his back so fast he may as well lay down at the intros to save himself the impact
 
#34 ·
I don't think GSP would give Hendricks the chance to do that. He is gonna take Hendricks down fast. We have yet to see Hendricks's bottom game, and frankly I don't think Hendricks would pose any problems off his back.

It would be interesting to see whether Hendricks could fend off the takedown though. IMO? No.
 
#41 ·
Hendricks' record is 14-1
He has beaten three top 5 WW's - 2 of those 3 by way of vicious KO. Will he be the guy to dethrone GSP? You never know but the general consesnus seems to be No. Does he deserve a chance to fight for the title? Hell yes! Try and find me one reason why he doesn't. Him not being "well rounded" enough to deserve a fight with GSP is a stupid reason.

I highly doubt Hendricks managed to get a record of 14-1 and beating 3 top 5 WW fighters by being one dimensional.

People over-analyze these things. It's really quite simple - you get enough impressive wins over top competition, you get a title shot.

Bring on Big Rigg.
 
#42 ·
I don't think one person has said he doesn't deserve a shot. And that's because he does. But to act as though he isn't going to be taken down at will is just setting yourself up for disappointment. People need to realize that being an amazing college wrestler doesn't make you a top MMA wrestler. As GSP has proven again. And again. And again.

But again, Hendricks deserves his shot. A hell of a lot more than Dan Hardy did his.
 
#43 ·
Firas Zahabi: Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre at 170 lbs. would be 'fair fight'

Like most everyone else in the mixed martial arts business, Montreal-based trainer Firas Zahabi has opinions on whom his most famous protege, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, should fight next.

The way Zahabi sees it, with Carlos Condit out of the way after GSP's UFC 154 victory, there are plenty of good options available at 170 pounds: Nick Diaz. Johny Hendricks. Anderson Silva.

Wait ... Anderson Silva at welterweight? Isn't that expected to be a catchweight super fight, if the bout is made?

Not necessarily, as far as Zahabi is concerned. On Monday's edition of The MMA Hour, Zahabi told MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani that if Silva, the UFC middleweight champion who has competed several times at light heavyweight, wants to fight St-Pierre, then he should come down to GSP's weight class or at least get as close to 170 pounds as he can.

"I wouldn't want [St-Pierre] to move up, I'd want Anderson to come down," Zahabi said. "I don't know if Anderson can make 170 or something close to that. If Georges goes up, I know he won't be able to come back down, he's told me many times if he goes up he won't go back down, and I believe him when he says that because he'd want to spend some serious time getting extra size on him. and, ... I would want [Silva] to come down as close to 170 as possible if that was the case.

Most educated conjecture on the negotiations toward the potential super fight, which the UFC would like to host in May in either Dallas, Toronto, or Brazil, has the fighters splitting the difference and meeting at 177.5 pounds. But Zahabi is wary of the notion, point out that Silva would still have a significant size advantage after rehydrating between weigh-ins and fight night.

"You know, the thing is, the next day he'll balloon up over 200, and I don't think that's fair," Zahabi said. " I don't think that's a fair fight. If he can make the cut to 170, that would be great. Georges has to fight everyone at 170, and that's the case. Really I think it would be even and fair. Even if [Silva] would balloon up the next day, he would be weakened by the weight cut, there would be something there."

Meanwhile, Zahabi, St-Pierre and company are taking a little bit of time to relax and reflect on St-Pierre's unanimous decision victory, a compelling fight which was much more entertaining than the 50-45, 49-46, 50-45 scores would seem to indicate.

Zahabi was pleased with St-Pierre's performance in his first fight in 19 months.

"I think it was the way I expected him to look," Zahabi said. "Barring that [third-round Condit] head kick, I think he didn't show too many signs of ring rust. I think there were some signs of ring rust, but after last Saturday night, I think that ring rust is shattered, and his next performance will be even better."

The Tri-Star trainer admitted to being nervous when Condit drilled St-Pierre with a head kick to the right temple and nearly finished the fight. But as a true fight fan, he was able to express admiration for both St-Pierre's resilience in weathering the storm, and in Condit's tenacity and fight smarts.

"Oh yeah, that was not a good exchange for Georges and Georges didn't see that coming whatsoever," Zahabi said. "He was badly hurt and he showed what a heart he has. you know, a lot of people criticized him, ‘he's not a fighter because he wins all the time without getting hit too bad.' He showed, now you know he's a fighter. That's not an easy thing to come back from. Carlos did a great job, he got on top, he hurt Georges to the body, he didn't just attack the head that was already protected and covered. he went for the body as well. I was very impressed by how Carlos handled that, and I was very impressed that Georges got up and exposed his back in getting up. He took a risk and he took Carlos back down and really controlled the rest of the round well."

The visual of a bruised and battered St-Pierre at the UFC 154 post-fight press conference, pressing an icepack to the area where Condit kicked him, will no doubt be one of MMA's most enduring images of 2012. Zahabi, though, says that GSP's injuries look worse than they actually were, and if anything, the champ got a charge from engaging in such a battle.

"They were very cosmetic injuries, I think it invigorated him," he said. "It was a nice scrap and the crowd enjoyed it, it was at home, everyone was thrilled, it got fight of the night. It was a great experience for the crowd and for Georges, I think. He was really happy that everybody was entertained, and that was one of the things he holds most dear, he wants people to enjoy the fights. ...

"Georges will take a little time off, I know he won't take much time off from training, that's the kind of person he is, he'll get right back to it, and I'm pretty sure he'll be begging for a fight before April. I'm sure he'll be ready by then. Right now he can't train for a month, you know, no serious training for a month once you get kick in the head like that, just in terms of precaution, he's gotta take time off."

But will that next fight be against Silva, Hendricks, or Diaz? Zahabi is content to wait and see.

"At end of day, right now, we're just still enjoying the moment," he said. "I know that talk is going to come and it's going to come soon, you know, Georges has to figure out what he has to do with his management, but at the end of the day, there's still Nick Diaz, there's still Johny Hendricks, there's still some great fights out there, but again, 50/50, it could go either way."
Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/2012/11/19/3668290/firas-zahabi-anderson-silva-vs-georges-st-pierre-at-170-lbs-would-be

Would be crazy if Silva managed to drop down to 170lbs and get the title. If the fight is held at catchweight, at least even if GSP loses he could say that was not his natural weightclass and he admits defeat to a bigger man. At 170lbs...? Silva wins the title, drops it and go backs up, and I don't think that will do any good for GSP mentally.
 
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