When Georges St Pierre was headkicked by Carlos Condit during round four of UFC 154, I bet only one person broke into a cold sweat worse than GSP’s own camp.
It wasn’t champ Anderson Sliva – he was too busy trying not to laugh after his friend Machida poked him in the ribs and mumbled ‘super fight’.
It wasn’t Hendricks, because he was sitting backstage chanting ‘down with the king’ and it certainly wasn’t Nick Diaz who was probably enjoying a refreshing medicinal with his homies somewhere in Orange County.
It was Dana White who swallowed the lump in his throat as his plans for a super-fight between GSP and Silva flew out the window for one fleeting minute – where they should stay.
The fight itself was strong. GSP did push the action more than I thought he would. He ground-out a decent win and was pushed out of his comfort zone more than usual by Condit which was great.
He won, yes, but GSP didn’t get the highlight vision win which we all wanted. It was a tough and ugly struggle for him, and Condit left GSP with a face to prove the encounter.
GSP looked like he needed medical attention after the fight and I think Condit could have gone for a beer. GSP has now fought 125 minutes without stopping an opponent.
GSP needs a defining win to go into a super fight with Sliva. The UFC still needs to legitimise the super fight for it to have merit.
And so enters Hendricks. And I want him to fight GSP before Silva.
Hendricks has won three fights in a row against top welterweight opponents. He has won the knockout of the night bonus in three of his last five fights and in the process KO’d a guy (Kampmann) who has never been knocked out in his MMA career.
Hendricks is the perfect opponent for GSP. Hendricks will get either the win or legitimise GSP’s super-fight stature. Plus it would act as another tune-up fight and mean GSP could own the record for the most welterweight title defences that he now shares with Hughes if he wins against Hendricks.
The division has waited too long for the champ to return. To have GSP run off now and fight someone else is unfair to a division that has seen only few title defences recently.
It’s wrong to the fans and the fighters alike. GSP needs to fight Hendricks next, not Silva.
brad cooper
Guest
I wonder if the size difference will be too much for GSP to make up against Silva. He's not a tall man, whereas Silva is (I think) about 6 ft 2. ISilva might even be a better show of beating Jon Jones than GSP over Silva. I'd like to be proven wrong though, because GSP is MMA's 'Mr Wonderful' in terms of image and professionalism. Silva is a phenom in 'broken' or scrappy areas of the fight - where GSP sometimes gets caught out. If they don't get some one competitive for Jon Jones soon, his bouts might become 'pay per few' instead of pay per view. I guess Chris Weidman coud create some interest...(or is he Silva's weight division? He wrecked Munoz.) Would Nick Diaz against Hendricks be suitable as an elimination for GSP? Diaz probably has to get over his boxing pride and accept the fight can be won any way that's legal....but he's a crowd puller and a fascinating character. I'm not sure how keen UFC is to chase Diaz any more with his tempermental record. Frank Shamrock seemed to suffer from a similar one-dimensional fighting issue late in his career. He wanted to be a stand up king when his real strengths seemed to be on the ground. Then he got his arm broken by Cung Le and retired not long after, I believe.
Ronnie Liddle
Roar Rookie
props. to be honest i didn't think i put a round in my submitted article but i guess i must have, agreed Hendricks isn't on the same level of Silva so yep, step backwards. but in a division that has seen only a few title defenses in the last couple of years i think GSP has to defend his title at least one more time before he looks outside the divison for a challenge (even if we assume they aren't up to the challenge). bisping doesn't like sliva not defending his title at MW too...
mjolle
Guest
Excuse the polemical rant but here goes.... First off, not to be pedantic but Condit's head kick on GSP was in round three not round four. On the validity of the Silva vs GSP 'super fight', I don't think there is any question that both fighters have well and truly earned it. Anyone who doesn't appreciate GSP's record obviously hasn't thought enough about how hard he must have worked to not only to become the most well rounded fighter in the UFC, but more so to stay there. He is constantly praised as being the best wrestler in the business without having any kind of wrestling background. Just watch the post fight press conference from the Condit fight and listen carefully to what GSP says. HE WINS, simple as that. A fight against Hendricks would be a step backwards. Condit is a great fighter and as he proved, the right type of fighter to take GSP all the way to the edge, but Anderson is like a super version of him which is what is needed just as GSP is a more talented, better rounded version of Chael Sonnen which is just what Anderson needs. By the way, Condit would have gone for a beer? Maybe a pint of blood to replace the one he lost via his forehead.
Decision Dan
Guest
In a "super fight" GSP would beat Silva by decision, or probably get knocked out, a conclusion I think most people would agree with. What I do NOT agree with is Ronnie Liddle's obviously negative viewpoint of GSP. If you don't like any particular fighter you shouldn't write about him, period.
Ronnie Liddle
Roar Rookie
iGSP hasn't finished any of his last five fights. All to the judges... he's gotten as bad as Decision Dan. do you really want to see GSP try and beat SIlva by Decision?
Carlos Condit Fan Also
Guest
just give hendrick to carlos guy. gsp vs silva better for world war
Shooshy
Guest
I dont understand this article. George St Pierre won the fight plain and simple it is completely irrelevant that he may have needed medical attention after the fight. You don't have to paint a picture to win, George St Pierre knows how to win fights whether it's striking, wrestling or jiu jitsu. The silva v St pierre fight is a must happen it is a fight the world has been waiting to see for years. Johnny Hendricks has absolutely no chance against St Pierre, he will be picked apart! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Minz
Guest
And exactly what's in such a superfight for GSP except for the chance to get a kicking from a bigger guy? I'm not sure why people are after this, honestly.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
The GSP v Condit fight is IMO one of the best UFC fight ever. Condit was much tougher than many, including myself, expected. And to watch two of the most technical martial artists around was just fantastic. The leg kicks, ground game, clinch etc, we saw everything that mma has to offer in five rounds. We all want a Silva v GSP fight but early 2013 is probably too early as GSP is just back after an 18 months interruption. Bring on Hendricks.