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.

i think if GSP cannot take alves down he will be in trouble

alves gets better with every fight and his takedown defense is probably his fastest evolving skill. koscheck couldn't get close to taking him down and koscheck was able to take GSP down.

of course MMATH doesn't work but this just shows how fast he is evolving.

i dont understand why people get so hyped about alves striking, yeah he has great leg kicks but i dont really remember ever being impressed with his hands

even high light reels show more with his knees and kicks, gnp is ok, but his hands only really looked great against tony de silva