Random thought on GSP/Alves fight

[VCURamFan]

For some reason, I got to thinking about GSP's opponents, & I realized something: for at least the last 5 years, they have all been grapplers. Look at the list:

Feb '09 - BJ Penn (bjj)
Aug '08 - Jon Fitch (wrestler)
Apr '08 - matt sarah (bjj)
Dec '07 - Matt Hughes (wrestler)
Aug '07 - Josh Koscheck (wrestler)
Apr '07 - matt sarah (bjj)
Nov '06 - Matt Hughes (wrestler)
Mar '06 - BJ Penn (bjj)
Nov '05 - Sean Sherk (wrestler)
Aug '05 - Frank Trigg (wrestler)
Apr '05 - Mayhem Miller (wrestler)
Jan '05 - Dave Strasser (bjj)
Oct '04 - Matt Hughes (wrestler)
Jun '04 - Jay Hieron (wrestler)
Jan '04 - Karo Parisyan (judoka)

Finally, back in Nov '03, you find Pete Spratt, who's more of a striker. Then you get Tomas Denny (wrestler), Travis Galbraith (wrestler), Justin Bruckmann (bjj), & Ivan Menjivar (???). So it looks like GSP has only ever faced 1 (maybe 2) legitimate strikers. I'm not saying that no one he's faced has good striking, but it's not their primary discipline. He's gong to have his hands full with Alves.

Yeah, he has matched up well with a lot of guys he has fought,
I hate to even admit this, but I am rooting for Alves.... O_o

Same with Chuck though, his record was largly padded with ground guys.

bj is known as a good striker although his BJJ is what made him famous ... and gsp totally negated that in the second fight ... gsp is probably the best mma wrestler out there right now because he sets up his takedowns and he's got decent strking ... i think he can take down alves at will and punish him with strikes to make this a one-sided fight

he will face a great striker, so gsp will just take him down immediately and gnp his way to victory

I believe it will be a lop sided victory for GSP! Everybody is starting to hype up Alves like they did Fitch. AND look what happen there!!!

This should be a good fight. Alves should match the strength of GSP and is physically larger. I think the key to this fight for Alves is his takedown defense. GSP will probably be quicker than him and may will out wrestle him but Alves is a ruthless striker and that's not good for GSP. Assuming that Alves makes weight for this fight, there may be a new WW champion.
This fight should also determine what works better, HGH or roids.

Originally Posted by Liddellfan

This fight should also determine what works better, HGH or roids.

OMG! Cause Im sure you know all about the subject.

Valid point. I think GSP wins if he sticks with what he's good at (takedown, gnp, repeat until decision/Alves is finished). However, if this stays on the feet Alves has a significant advantage. Like Fitch, Alves is one of the few WW on the planet who is not at a major size disadvantage to GSP, and he is a great striker. The big issues in this fight as far as I'm concerned are (1) does it take place on the mat or standing and (2) can Thiago hit 170 on the button without the amputation of a limb?

There really haven't been any pure strikers at WW for GSP to fight. I think he has good stand up and could hang with just about everyone.

And why does everyone think Alves has great striking? His kicks could hurt GSP but if he doesn't hurt GSP with a bomb I think he will get put on his back and pounded out like Fitch did to him.