Comments on: St. Pierre vs. Penn: Too Close to Call

By: Mikee

Mikee — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:48:27 +0000

I called you on a mis-print in YOUR article and you delete my message? Are you uncomfortable with other people pointing out a minor flaw in your work or embarassed? No need to be. I enjoy your articles and your work and my point was submitted with respect so again I ask…..What the crap?

Oh and Penn will finish the fight. TKO third round by strikes on the ground.

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By: Mike Wolfe

Mike Wolfe — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:54:32 +0000

BJ may have better boxing (and I emphasiz the word “may”) but GSP has brutal kicks and knees that give him a better over-all strking game.

In their first fight GSP took Penn down repeatedly in the second and third rounds, and it was the takedowns in the third that got him the split decision, imo. Penn’s lack of conditioning probably helped GSP take him down as the fight progressed, so Penn’s harder work might help him. On the other hand, GSP’s wrestling is even better.

Penn didn’t try very many submissions in the their first fight, and hasn’t needed his BJJ against smaller fighters at 155 like Sherk. I think BJ will need his BJJ to win this one, but he hasn’t used it too much lately, and his “default” is to strike. I gotta give the edge to GSP on this one.

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By: glock

glock — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:18:49 +0000

@ neijia,

By athleticism I think you know what I mean…. it’s an ability not a “look”, It’s that x factor that some have and some don’t . Penn has different gifts.

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By: lalo_g80

lalo_g80 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:44:45 +0000

I dont know why people keep worrying over BJ’s cardio. He looked fresh against Sherk. All I know is that I like both fighters very much. Dana did an outstanding job this time.

I don’t think it will go to a decision. I think GSP wins by stoppage in the 4th round. I dont think BJ will gas, but GSP just gets stronger as the rounds go.

Good luck to both of them though.

Can’t wait for Mir-Lesnar II

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By: htown-chris

htown-chris — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:14:35 +0000

this fight will be a barnburner. i think either some of forgot or u jst dont kno. bjs boxing is brutal. gsp is mor of a jack of all trades really only mastering his wrestling. if he tries to spend too much time on the ground with bj on his back he will get submitted. he definitely will b outboxed. he goin to hav to b very inventive wth his strikes if he has any plan on beating bj. and bjs cardio or lack there of will not come into play this go aronund.

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By: neijia

neijia — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:37:50 +0000

this idea of “athleticism” – are they trying to sell jeans or a fight?

Arlovski looked a lot more “athletic” than Fedor. We know how that went down. Still, I was hugely impressed with Arlovski’s boxing. If Roach thinks Penn is better at boxing, GSP’s slams may not be a forgone conclusion.

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By: glock

glock — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:23:22 +0000

i’m mostly w/ BigDave. I see GSP going out and testing his standup to see how it goes and get warm. If he get’s beat by BJ’s jab too much again, then I see him going for relentless take downs and as many embarrassing slams as he can get away with, to get into bj’s head a little.
Actually, I think it’s BJ’s psyche that will be tested, if GSP is able to be impose his wrestling dominance and top game gnp .

bj’s an emotional guy and the frustration of being owned and any chances for a big shot or sub nullified, by GSP’s superior athleticism and improved BJJ, could be the key to fight.

That being said, it could go either way……;)

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By: JOe K.

JOe K. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:09:31 +0000

Yes my gravatar works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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By: CMT

CMT — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:04:06 +0000

Ditto – GSP!!

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By: JOe K.

JOe K. — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:45:25 +0000

You forgot to mention GSP’s win over Jon Fitch.

Fitch is a bad ass as well.

If GSP doesn’t get rocked by some hard strikes BJ will not win. The only way BJ wins is by KO.

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By: FrankW

FrankW — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:34:52 +0000

BigDave..no need for insults.In a persuasive piece one takes a position and presents reasons and examples for that position while acknowledging some of the strengths of a counter argument. That was what i did.
I flew from the east coast to see BJ fight Matt Hughes in Anaheim and rooted for him although he lost. So i am not anti-Penn but was merely analyzing the way they match up and their distinct abilities.
Your piece above favors Penn but i certainly don’t think you are physically attracted to him.lol.We are fight enthusiasts and my call is as good as yours although if we were betting you would lose your money.

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By: Evadmils

Evadmils — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:24:13 +0000

BigDave what does it smell like inside GSP’s underwear?

Just wonderin’ because it seems like you may be wrapped around his nuts.

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By: Frank W

Frank W — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:03:54 +0000

Come on people.BJ’s real probability of of winning this fight is to hurt GSP with a hard punch. If he catches GSP then maybe he can finish him a la Serra or like he did to Sherk. But we all saw what GSP did to Sherk and Serra to nullify the punches.

I suspect that repeated take downs at will from GSP will exhaust BJ. Takedowns, control and pressure will effectively nullify his striking and power until he gets tired. Once he is tired, how is he going to be quick enough to knock out GSP or for that matter not get knocked out himself? GSP is not going to box with him like Sherk and allow him to out jab while conserving energy.GSP will force BJ to expend energy by forcing him to defend against take downs, slams,hold downs,G&P.Anyone who has grappled knows how very exhasting an active defense is.

How is BJ going to use his Jits if he has to actively defend against taking elbows, punches and knees to the face,body and thighs? No where on the body is off limits to GSP. Just watch the last few fights( see and hear Serra and Hughes and Sherk(way back) scream in pain). If BJ closes his guard, and hugs GSP the back of the head can be slammed on the canvas with the chest. We are talking constant pressure people.Only high-level athletes can keep up that kind of cardio pace. BJ’s camp claims he is a fighter and not an athlete
GSP is going to control where the fight takes place with his wrestling and if BJ gets then winded will get G&Pd or submitted. I just cannot see the logic of a BJ penn win. I have never been wrong about a GSP or Rashad Evans fight.

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By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:37:46 +0000

I don’t understand how they act like BJ”s wins over Stevenson, and Pulver can even compare to GSP’s recent wins and Sherk has obviously had some help with steroids to enhance his ability. Don’t forget GSP also holds a crushing victory over Sherk.

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By: Rich S.

Rich S. — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:48:54 +0000

Look,
BJ definitely has some sick JJ, and he’s a good striker..
But, GSP’s not going to get submitted..
a TKO is possible, but i don’t think GSP will stand long enough for that to happen, and there’s no way BJ’s gonna be stopping takedowns all night..

It really isn’t that hard of a pick..
These guys are both GREAT fighters, two of the best really..
but GSP takes this one… again.. just better this time..

I’ve never liked the thought of BJ at WW..
I wish he would just stay down at 155

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By: the myth

the myth — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:40:55 +0000

GSP will dominate – 2nd round stopage due to strikes ( but hate to see either one of them get beat ) both have a great fighting spirit

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By: mmac

mmac — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:25:34 +0000

BigDave, you seem a little anti-Penn. I don’t like the guy either, but I think they’re a bit more evenly matched than you’re saying above. Penn’s jits and flexibility alone are enough to really alter GSP’s strategy on the ground. I’d be amazed if he spends much time on the ground at all. As for standup, I still think getting Serra’d would be in the back of GSP’s mind. Penn really seems equipped for both a stand up or ground game.

Purely skillwise, I’d lean towards Penn. Ultimately, I bet GSP pushes it into the later rounds, where his athleticism/cardio, which I think is waaay above Penn’s, rules the day. GSP by TKO in the fifth.

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By: john

john — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:04:06 +0000

Honestly the only way I see BJ winning this fight is with a KO and the only way I see GSP winning this fight is a decision. I just cant imagine Georges finishing the fight.

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By: Noah

Noah — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:35:01 +0000

GSP has excellent wrestling and top control. Unless BJ can hurt GSP early in the fight and get a KO, I see GSP grinding out the first few rounds with some conservative ground n’ pound. I’m sure BJ’s cardio has improved, but he will not be able to match the pace that will be set. I think GSP will get a TKO in the 4th.

Whatever happens, both guys are awesome fighters and I enjoy watching both of them. Though they’re two of my favorite fighters, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see GSP take this one.

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By: BigDave

BigDave — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:50:54 +0000

Sam Are you serious? You cant possibly compare wins over Pulver,Stevenson, and Sherk in anyway to wins over Koscheck, Hughes, and Serra. Pulver (although one of my faves) is no longer a top 10 fighter, Stevenson is a one trick pony all he has is a rnc but has been destroyed of late, and sherk is a roid monkey. Koscheck and Hughes are arguably two of the best wrestlers in the game and serra has very heavy hands. All three where made to look like amatures against GSP. Penn’s conditioning is suspect and never even close to Pierre’s, GSP is a better wrestler by far proven in his win over hughes and koscheck. on there feet GSP’s kicks and Knees will negatite Penn’s supposed punching power, although georges hands are on par with Penns aswell. Penn may be a little better at jiu jitsu but the difference is marginal, and as for the size and strength advantage GSP has Penn beat there aswell. So after all this being said I predict GSP will beat Penn at his own game and RNC him inside the first round. then Penn can go back to 155 and get smashed by kenflo.

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