On my SiriusXM radio show yesterday, a rather large debate ensued. Some of the MMA community (like me) believes the fight between Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva is a foregone conclusion. The only issues left are those in the negotiations themselves. Others, however, still think there’s time to do something else and believe GSP should decline any and all bouts with Silva. They argue unlike light heavyweight, welterweight is chock full of contenders. Hendricks rightfully earned a title shot and it makes little sense for him to sit on the shelves for god knows how long just to satisfy the phony demand of a vanity project.
It’s a compelling argument and I frankly sympathize with it. But I’m also not so clear what the hurry is to see GSP defeat Hendricks. Sure, Hendricks power is something to behold. He could scamble GSP’s or anyone else’s brains with it. And if you know me, you know college wrestling is near and dear to my heart. But I don’t think Hendricks stands much of a chance against the welterweight champion. In a pure wrestling match, Hendricks would own him. But in MMA where so much of it is different, Hendricks has been taken down repeatedly by opponents he basically outclassed. GSP would have little issue there. Hendricks takedowns are very, very good, but again, we’re talking about the MMA wrestling of GSP. That’s a stiff test even for someone like Hendricks who was expected to be a freestyle standout had he never pursued MMA.
I’d also say if GSP can get Silva to fight close to 170 pounds, the bout becomes far more competitive. But that’s just one man’s opinion. I’ve created a poll and want you to weigh-in. Oh, and we’ve got all the Johny Hendricks content you could ask for courtesy MMA Mania’s two-part interview. Throw in crazy fighter Tweets, KO videos and a ‘Just Bleed’ gif and you’ve got today’s Morning Report.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Johny Hendricks opens up about where his power comes from, what’s next for him, whether Georges St. Pierre could survive his left hand, his thoughts and so much more. Must-read material. (Part 1, Part 2).
Firas Zahabi told our own Ariel Helwani yesterday on The MMA Hour that if GSP is going to fight Anderson Silva, ‘The Spider’ is going to have to come down to 170 pounds.
MMA coach extraordinaire Greg Jackson also told our own Ariel Helwani yesterday on The MMA Hour that his presence wouldn’t have altered the outcome of UFC 154’s main event.
According to new reports, Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida has been moved to UFC 157. Read all about it.
MEDIA STEW
In case you missed yesterday’s The MMA Hour with Rashad Evans, Greg Jackson and others, relive the glory:
Combat sports has the unmatched ability to provide redemptive or empowering experiences to the disabled. Here’s proof:
Bloody Elbow’s Nate Wilcox and Eugene Robinson talk shop about everything that was UFC 154 in this Tete-a-Tete:
Seth Mitchell, the next great heavyweight in U.S. boxing took a fairly significant step back when he was suprising KO’d in the second round of his bout with Emmanuel Steward-protege Jonathan Banks:
And in case you haven’t seen it, here’s the trailer for next month’s UFC 155:
In case you want to see what MMA actually looks like in China, here’s a bout between Rodrigo Caporal and Arthit Hanchana from RUFF 6:
YOUR CAT IS WEAK
OMG there’s a super spider by my bed & my cat refuses to kill it..
— MarloesCoenen (@MarloesCoenen) November 19, 2012
CONSENSUS AT LAST
Wow. Me and @mieshatate actually kind of agree about something… mixedmartialarts.com/news/432744/Mi…
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) November 19, 2012
GROVE VS. BRUNSON?
@derekbrunsonmmaim down to fight u any organization but if u using this loss to get in the ufc that works too
— kendallgrovemma (@kendallgrovemma) November 19, 2012
I’m done with @kendallgrovemma . He keeps tweeting me , when he needs to be talking to Dana ! Halloween just passed and he’s still scared !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) November 19, 2012
SPONG IS HAVING THE BEST YEAR EVER
Just got confirmed I’m fighting remy bonjasky feb 16 leggooo!!!!
— TyroneSpong (@Tyrone_spong) November 19, 2012
PWND
Hi @sethdavishoops I’m a war vet. X6, father, husband, and pro MMA fighter. I would never let me kids box. I’m also not homophobic.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 19, 2012
NOW THAT’S PARANOIA
OMG! I THOUGHT I had probation this morning but I screwed up…it’s tomorrow! Up early for nothing, sooo irritating! =/
— War Machine (@WarMachine170) November 19, 2012
FATBOY
I’m not saying the @ufc kept me busy in Montreal but last night I ate three meals and slept 14 hours. #BackOnTrack
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) November 19, 2012
GSP GETS SENTIMENTAL
I had my ACL surgery less than a year ago, fought every day to get back but no human could do this alone…
— Georges St-Pierre(@GeorgesStPierre) November 19, 2012
…Doctors, physiotherapists, the UFC, trainers & training partners, family, friends & YOU, the best fans in the world, made it possible.
— Georges St-Pierre(@GeorgesStPierre) November 19, 2012
ANNOUNCED FIGHTS
– n/a
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s FanPost of the Day comes courtesy Sugel Mendoza, who takes a humorous look at the jab and all the the problems it causes in MMA. Enjoy:
The jab is a technique that is used primarily by quitters and cowards who have the nerve to not allow real, manly men to bang each other into unconsciousness. For further proof, look no further than St. Pierre vs. Koscheck. The first jab that GSP hit Koscheck with immediately broke Koscheck’s orbital bone, almost to the point of his eye looking like a cantaloupe cut in half. Based on St. Pierre being 1-1 on his jab in that sample size, I can safely conclude that 100% of jabs will cause cantaloupesque swelling in the orbital region, making all jabs incredibly dangerous strikes thrown with the intention of causing career-threatening injuries, and those who throw them fake, cocky, cheaters who show no honor to the drunken dudebros who rip their pain into pieces in order for these men to bang to their heart’s content.
This man would turn over in his prison bed if he knew what was going on.
