I forecast GSP imposing his will the entire time and coming out of it with a submission (likely RNC) late in round one.

1. Does anyone think Swick came back too soon. I mean I should be giving Hardy his props for how good he looked, and how many times he staggered swick. It just seems to me that those shots were turning the lights off on swick a little bit easier because of the concussion a little while back. He didnt look like the Swick in his last couple of fights.

2. I dont think Hardy has a shot at beating GSP. Yet he made me a fan Saturday. From his style to his prefight hype to the build up in the cage…This guy just flat out gets me amped to see him fight. I cant say Ill root against GSP, but Ill certainly be siked to see hardy get in the cage.

3. To say he isnt worth really is irrelevant now. He beat the guy who was the most logical next contender outside of Jake Shields( In SF obviously), and the UFC needs a champion healthy enough to fight. Id have him as an underdog in fights against Fitch, Koscheck, Alves, Johnson, and Diego Sanchez for that matter; but I also had him as an underdog against “One trick quick”.

If Hardy’s wrestling continues to improve he’ll stay as a force in the division. He is a big strong ww that has a lot of KO power.

Swick you’ll be back man. Keep your head up and get healthy. Let that head rest before you let it get punched again. I wanna see you in there at 100%.

MMA-LOGIC: I may have to eat my words here but is there a talent drought in the UFC WW division or something because this seems like it shouldn’t be happening. Don’t get me wrong I think Hardy is great but a world beater?. If Hardy wins I’ll eat humble pie but can anyone imagine that actually coming true?. Hang on there is Koscheck, Alves, Hughes, Karo, Fitch, Trigg etc, etc. Again they give a guy a title shot who just skips ALL of the top Talent. I mean was Swick a top 170 dude?. Honestly title shots just don’t mean a thing. Randy was given a title shot on his 205 debut then his 2nd 205 fight, his 4th, his 6th and 7th I believe. He didn’t earn any of them! and in my opinion neither has Carwin or Hardy.

Its not that there is a ‘talent drought’. There is ALOT of world class fighters in that division. And ALOT of potentially great up and comers. What it is, is GSP, at this moment in time, is in his prime – and his prime is a notch above everybody else. Its not that everybody else is bad… its that GSP is THAT good at the moment. I give him another 1 – 2 years being dominant, before his performance starts to fall. I honestly think he will be known as the most dominant WW of all time, and possibly the longest reigning WW champ of all time. He is that good at the moment. However… just because he is above the rest, doesnt at all mean the rest dont deserve a shot at the title. It will give all the tough fighters in that WW division alot of motivation to train hard to get that title shot… knowing that if they get the chance to fight GSP for the title, that they have the chance to possibly beat one of the greatest WW fighters in the world and also one of the P4P best in the world..

MMA-LOGIC: Hang on there is Koscheck, Alves, Hughes, Karo, Fitch, Trigg etc, etc. Again they give a guy a title shot who just skips ALL of the top Talen

Sorry, but i would easily put Hardy above Trigg, Hughes, Pariysan.

Fitch and Alves already lost to Gsp, so much like every MMA organization they won’t make another prospect potentially get beat and lose a contender.

They have given Kos multiple chances, he stepped up and lost to Alves, they gave him a gimme fight and he lost to Thiago… but yet, people still think he is deserving of something even though he loses all the big fights. His recent wins are not over top competition.

Is Swick a top contender? Probably not, they’ve got to give it to someone. After Rumble beats Koscheck by tko, he’ll be next in line and everybody will be happy.

Angry Mike: . Hardy hasn’t had a win of that caliber in the UFC. And in Penn/GSP 2, GSP thoroughly destroyed Penn. What has Hardy done that’s even close to any of those? I’m sticking with the stick.

You’re right, Hardy hasn’t had a win that is of the calibre that Gsp has of defending his title. Hardy doesn’t have a title, so no fight he has can be of that magnitude.

That said, hopefully you realize i’m talking somewhat in jest and not saying Hardy is as good as Gsp…. maybe my emoticons are broken….

Niv: I like Hardy but unfortunately this is a ho hum match up as GSP is going to destroy him. I guess this is the problem when you clean out a division. Hardy isn’t in GSP’s league, but I guess the thing that will always get people to watch this (besides GSP’s skills) is the fact that he’s been beaten buy someone who had no business beating him before.

I agree, but also i think nobody in the WW division is at the level of GSP yet. I honestly think GSP, at this moment in time, could defeat ANYBODY in the WW division. However… anything can happen in a fight. Hardy has proved to me that he has immense power, especially in those hooks. He shows great patience, he shows great composure, he has shows great skills, a great attitude. IMO, after that win over Swick, he most definetly deserves a title shot. He has looked very impressive so far. Im from the UK, and so i am very pleased to see Hardy get this shot. And i will definetly be cheering for him. If he defeats GSP, it will be HUGE for MMA in the UK. So im hoping it will happen. However.. i think GSP’s takedowns are just too much for anybody at the moment. He is a notch above the competition. And will continue to be that way at least for another year IMO. I see him eventually being the most dominant WW champion in UFC history. I really do, as im sure many of you do aswell.

In the fight.. I see GSP doing what he does best, taking down and GnP. For any chance of winning, Hardy needs to drastically train his wrestling, with WORLD CLASS wrestlers, he needs to constantly train in takedown defence. He needs to ensure his BJJ is the best he can possibly get it. His ground game just really needs to be perfect. If he can stuff GSP’s takedowns, or at least scramble if and when he is taken down, Hardy has a great chance of winning. His striking does look very good… So he could catch GSP when GSP comes in…

Anyway.. as i said.. anything can happen in a fight. Even though i dont give Hardy a BIG chance in winning the fight, he still has a chance. So i will be waiting in anticipation for this fight, and will be cheering and supporting the first UK fighter in the UFC to get a title shot.

Angry Mike: Hardy couldn’t finish Swick or Davis so that’s the measure of his striking. On the other hand, GSP has beaten Alves, Penn and Fitch. I’d bet the house on any of those three against Hardy.

What an odd argument… You say Hardy couldn’t “finish” Swick or Davis, but highlight 2 wins by Gsp where he couldn’t “finish” his opponents. I think your measuring stick is broken.

Hardy – 20+ wins, beat Markham, Davis and top Prospect Quick Swick. Has a great chin, great patience and hasn’t had a bad fight in the UFC>

Koscheck – He lost to Gsp, He lost to Alves, He lost to Thiago, he’s going to lose to Rumble, leaves himself wide open with his striking, rarely uses his strength in wrestling and his recent wins are over guys who most don’t consider top prospects in Frank Trigg, Yoshiyuki Yoshida and Chris Lytle…

Yeah.. Kos is real deserving.