[MoopsiePuffs]

Does Almeida have the best grappling ability at WW that would negate GSP's wrestling style?

Ofcourse Ricardo is still a long way off a title challenge but if he was to ever fight GSP in the future, would he have a chance?

He has the ability to submit GSP, but if he couldn't get the fight to the ground then he would be in serious danger of getting Ko'd. GSP took Alves and Hardy to the ground because they were decent strikers, in a fight with Almeida i guess he would just keep it standing and out-strike Almeida fairly easily.

What are your thoughts? and who do you think Almeida should fight next?

 

[morninglightmt]

Yea, I said this in another thread. I think he needs to fight someone in the top 10 but Hughes, Daley, Kos, Kampmann and Thiago are all tied up at the moment. That leaves Fitch and Alves who isn't ready for... and Dan Hardy?

I say Almeida vs Dan Hardy!

 

[vandalian]

It's an intriguing matchup, but Almeida should beat some legitimate welterweights before getting a shot at the title. Brown's tough and all, but he's no contender.

If they ever do fight, I see GSP outclassing Cachorrao on the feet and wearing him out in the clinch, en route to either a decision or a TKO victory.

 

[MoopsiePuffs]

I think Hardy would be looking for a higher ranked opponent, especially since Ricardo has only fought once at WW. Maybe Swick? since he has lost to Hardy and Thiago but is still a quality fighter?

 

[Halebop]

Almeida really impressed me against Matt Brown. Total domination of a guy that was steadily rising. I think GSP will not be beaten at 170 over the next couple of years but if Almeida tears through some more guys he would be an entertaining opponent. Call me strange but the first names that pop into my head when I think Almeida's next opponent is Amir Saddolah or Johnny Hendricks.

 

[DropKick]

I don't think Almieda is good enough to beat GSP. I think he'd survive because his grappling is good enough to negate GSP's but not good enough to sub him. Probably be another decision from GSP with his superior control from the top.

 

[alizio]

GSP would do the chuck game plan and own him, flat out.

it would be fun cuz i dont have to hear ppl whine that GSP took it to the ground

its just bad strategy to play to an opponents strengths. those hating GSP for not doing so must have loved the Bisping vs Hendo strategy... takes a real man to be an idiot i guess.

 

[jmacjer]

Almeida really impressed me against Matt Brown. Total domination of a guy that was steadily rising. I think GSP will not be beaten at 170 over the next couple of years but if Almeida tears through some more guys he would be an entertaining opponent. Call me strange but the first names that pop into my head when I think Almeida's next opponent is Amir Saddolah or Johnny Hendricks.

Given that both Hendricks and Soddalah both win their next fights I don't think its strange at all.

 

[BrutalKO]

...Almedia is a good fighter but he isn't even in the same league as GSP, not to mention the rest of the top WW's. It would be a wipe out...

 

[MoopsiePuffs]

...Almedia is a good fighter but he isn't even in the same league as GSP, not to mention the rest of the top WW's. It would be a wipe out...

If you believe a potential match-up would be so incredibly one-sided, what welterweights have the grappling ability to nulify GSP's newly adopted wrestling style in your opinion?

 

[morninglightmt]

Let's consider this. Almeida is 4-1 in the UFC losing a split decision to Cote who's next fight was for the title. He is a very big WW since he came down from MW. He grapples at the very highest level, arguably the best at WW. His first fight was going to be Fitch, but withdrew to a knee injury during train (so UFC and co. certainly think him a contender). And he just beat a 4-1 UFCer very impressively in his WW debut. Why the heck would he fight Amir Sadollah? Anyway, Sadollah is already fighting 2 months from now. So that isn't even on the table.

At the very least they might give him Chris Lytle. But I'm thinking Hardy. Or they may just reset the match between him and Fitch. Hey Matt Serra is free too I guess...

That's my short list.

 

[Icculus]

Almeida looked great against matt brown. I love Matt Brown but he's not a top contender. I dont think Almeida could get past the top of the division (fitch, alves, kos, or even paulo thiago) but Im sure he'll get a chance to prove me wrong.

As far as Hardy goes, how about feeding him to BJ Penn for his move back up to WW? That should be a decent fight and BJ WILL finish. Also, it wouldnt really hurt Hardy to have lost to GSP and BJ.

 

[Fieos]

My biggest hope for an Almeida/GSP match would be that GSP would want to keep this one standing. I love my boy GSP for his ability to take folks down and whip ass but variety is the spice of life. You can only take the missionary position so long before you need some variety.

 

[thrshr01]

If this fight happens I see GSP using his wrestling in reverse by keeping the fight standing and use his striking.

 

[limba]

My biggest hope for an Almeida/GSP match would be that GSP would want to keep this one standing. I love my boy GSP for his ability to take folks down and whip ass but variety is the spice of life. You can only take the missionary position so long before you need some variety.

And that would mean he is smart. Use your opponents weakness against him. And...
I already posted something like this on another thread...that would give birth to another "generation of haters", who would hate on him for not wanting to go to the ground, this time with a fighter who likes it there .
Annyway, I think Almeida needs at least 2 more fights before he could get a shot. And he would have to face top contenders.
And i aslos think GSP would try and strike, but i don't see him beeing affraid on taking it to the ground and do some ground and pound also.

 

[streetpunk08]

If an Almeida fight or Maia fight were ever to happen GSP would just keep it on the feet most likely and pick them apart standing.