12/21/24
February 03, 2009
Tis nary a beast alive that can choke out a greased Québécois: Vaseline spoils St. Pierre's victory over Penn at UFC 94. St. Pierre's corner man clear rubs Vaseline all over George's shpulders and back, thus negating any chance Penn would have at locking in a submission hold on him.
Yeah, watching the fight I don't think it would have mattered if he was greased or tacky, GSP completely dominated Penn. They can't just let this slide though or every time someone fights a slick(ok, I'll stop now) submissions guy you'll see guys lubeing up. I'm not sure how you go about punishing their corner but they should probably do something to ensure this doesn't continue.
posted by tron7 at 08:46 PM on February 03, 2009
This pseudo controversy is setting up the one thing that Penn can't afford. A rematch. He was so thoroughly dominated that I imagine another similar fight to the last would put him a very bad place vis a vis his legacy.
He would be wise to go back to 155 and rule the roost until someone rises to challenge his dominance in that weight class. He can continue to claim that GSP cheated and that is what cost him the fight and not test it in a third match. Those that love him, will believe him.
I'm a big GSP fan. He is one of the few guys who isn't in it for a 'good scrap' but is actually elevating the sport where the skill, technique and strategy are obvious. That said, I would fear a Silva match for him. His dominance at 170 seems to me to be greatly influenced by his overwhleming strength at that weight. Witnessing him pass Penn's guard like a hot knife through butter was too overwhelmingly convincing. Penn is a world champion BJJ fighter - one of the best, if not the best. GSP had no difficulty moving him, passing him and punishing him.
But Silva walks around at 210, is as fast as GSP is and has the length combined with strength that could potentially negate GSP's overwhleming ground skills. He is deadly off his back with those long limbs. And there isn't a better striker in the world. GSP also has something of a suspect chin. He can be knocked out.
(Aside - that really impressed me about Penn. He is made of granite. A tenth of the shots he took would have caused most UFC fighters to soil themselves.)
Silva vs. GSP - It's a fight I'd love to see. But I see Silva winning.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:58 PM on February 04, 2009
great point about BJ taking punishment. he did take shot after tremendous shot and stayed on his feet (when not being slammed to the canvas like a ragdoll, that is). very tough dude and i think youre spot on about the rematch, and him needing to stay at the lower weight class.
i see BJ in the same light as you see GSP, someone who is a great tactician, and more than just a 'scrapper'. but even a great tactician can run into a buzzsaw.
Spider is my alltime fave so far. (i hate to be a frontrunner, but i love his unconventional fighting style. i think he is the most exciting and interesting fighter to watch) but this IS the ultimate "you never know sport".
maybe GSP can vaseline his chin so Silvas knees would slide right off... hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
posted by setlasmon at 11:06 AM on February 05, 2009
i am a big fan of Penn, but by no means a GSP hater. he is an amazing force, you have to respect what hes done. that being said, i think they could have covered him in pine tar and he still would have destroyed BJ.
vaseline nonwithstanding, he made one of the best fighters in the world look like a scared extra from Godzilla. (sorry if that comes off as a lame asian joke, but that is the only parallel i could draw to the look of abject horror and shock in BJ's eyes)
I am very excited about the prospect of a GSP/Spider matchup for the unofficial P4P crown. Id say theres a good chance Anderson would find out what a third round in a UFC fight feels like.