UFC 129 toronto GSP-Shields

[poopoo333]

Yeah, Dana said it in an interview last night with Helwani

[Vandelay]

He couldn't just talk to him in Toronto?...on a sidenote, does anyone think GSP is past his prime? or is it just that he was afraid of getting taken down by shields. His striking last night consisted of jabs, overhands, superman punches, and spinning back kicks. He was hesitant in throwing leg kicks for fear of being taken down, he refused to throw a cross, straight, hook, etc.

[poopoo333]

GSP is not past his prime lol

[SPX]

No, I think GSP's as good as ever, if not better than he was 3 years ago, but he's been insistent on playing it safe ever since the first Serra fight.

I think that when he sits down to gameplan his fights he and Jackson ask themselves, What can we do that will both maximize the possibility of winning and minimize the possibility of losing? While that's certainly "smart," it definitely leads to approaches that aren't particularly exciting or dynamic. The GSP that knocked out Hieron and armbarred Hughes would've probably run through Shields and finished him. But he's terrified now of getting caught by a "lucky" punch or, in Shields' case, ending up in a surprise sub.

So it is what it is. I wonder if he actually lost a couple of fights if we'd see him turn up the aggression a little.

[Vandelay]

I for one didn't think GSP would ever lose a round to Shields in a striking battle. GSP's striking was much better against koscheck and hughes. Both wrestlers who have better striking than shields. Even in the first 2 rounds before the eye injury, it wasnt like GSP was dominating the striking exchanges.

[SPX]

I agree that it wasn't the best night for GSP on a number of levels. But Shields never once got the takedown and I think that was his main concern.

It would've been interesting to see how it would've played out if the eye thing hadn't gone down. But I do think GSP dominated the striking exchanges in the first two rounds. Shields may have landed some shots--somehow--but it was clear that GSP was landing more, cleaner, and harder. He wobbled Shields, or at least knocked him off balance, several times. I don't remember GSP even reacting to any of Shields' punches until the third.

The fact that two judges gave two rounds to Shields is scary, though. If he had thrown that eye-damaging punch in the second instead of the third then would we be looking at a new champion? Furthermore, would we all be broke?

[Thewisemann]

Bottom line, GSP Is a pussy. I hope Diaz fucks him up.

[SPX]

^^^ I'll be on GSP again if the line decent so I don't. GSP's gonna run a wrestling train on him.

[Vandelay]

GSP actually claimed it happened in the second. Shields followed the kosckeck gameplan of just abandoning your wrestling altogether. He probably only attempted 7 or 8 takedowns. Both times he had GSP's leg, he didn't fully commit to getting that takedown like he usually does.

[Vandelay]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=ki-iole_gsp_beats_shields_ufc_129_043011

Nuthugging at its finest.

[MMA_scientist]

I actually didn't finish the fights until like 1am.

My thoughts:

I really thought Garza would win, and I am pissed I didn't pull the trigger on that one. I ended up breaking even on the event, so I was actually sort of pissed, because I should have just stuck with my magic parlay which was my original plan.

As for the fights... I really enjoyed every fight except the GSP fight. JMAC's triangle set up and Rory Macdonald's suplex were the highlights of the event for me, aside from the obvious MAchida kick, which was incredible. I was happy to see Randy go down, but I couldn't really celebrate because I had a bunch of people over and they were all cheering for Couture. I was really hoping they would have to stretcher him out of there so I wouldn't have to see all the hero worship stuff yet again... but I will take it.

GSP needs to take a risk at some point. Shields had nothing for him, nothing. He couldn't even think about taking him down, and he did not land a meaningful strike in the entire 25 minutes. At some point you have to pressure him a little. On the flip side, Shields was down 4 rounds to none and he just stuck the game plan of getting his ass kicked for another 5 minutes. I don't understand the mindset of these guys, go for broke. I really blame Shields more than GSP. GSP was winning, so why should he do anything differently?

I was nervous as hell after Round 1 of the Aldo fight. Aldo looked like Aldo for the first 2 minutes, and then he just fizzled. I really thought Hominick was going to beat him after that round.

Those judges were insane at best, crooked at worst. Someone gave Aldo round 5 of that fight... getting your head pounded for 5 minytes while offering no offense wins rounds in Canada apparently. There was another score that was way wrong too, I can't remember which one...

Anyway, great even in all, IMO. I was glad everyone here did some damage to the books, even though I was pissed that I blew my haul by hedging out of Ellenberger and then placing a last minute distance prop on Vlad/Brilz.

[Svino]

Those judges were insane at best, crooked at worst. Someone gave Aldo round 5 of that fight... getting your head pounded for 5 minytes while offering no offense wins rounds in Canada apparently. There was another score that was way wrong too, I can't remember which one...

Anyway, great even in all, IMO. I was glad everyone here did some damage to the books, even though I was pissed that I blew my haul by hedging out of Ellenberger and then placing a last minute distance prop on Vlad/Brilz.

The 50-43 round was probably the worst sounding judgment I've ever heard, but it turned out that it was an actual error. Somehow, a 10-8 final round for Hominick got entered or read as a 10-8 round for Aldo.

I also got surprised and burned by Vladdy's quick KO. I'm pretty frustrated with myself for not doing better on the decision props this year, especially since betting them all (at least the main card ones) is actually getting a decent return.

[Vandelay]

I'm pretty sure 2 judges gave hominick a 10 8 and the other a 10 9 in the last round. 48-45 (10-9, 10-9, 10-9, 10-9, 8-10), 48-46 (10-9, 10-10, 10-9, 10-9, 8-10), 49-46 (10-9, 10-9, 10-9, 10-9, 9-10)

[zY|]

It must be great to be GSP

Fight like shit, have one eye








Easily beat a guy on a 15 fight win streak.

[MMA_scientist]

The 50-43 round was probably the worst sounding judgment I've ever heard, but it turned out that it was an actual error. Somehow, a 10-8 final round for Hominick got entered or read as a 10-8 round for Aldo.

I also got surprised and burned by Vladdy's quick KO. I'm pretty frustrated with myself for not doing better on the decision props this year, especially since betting them all (at least the main card ones) is actually getting a decent return.

Well that is good to know. The Shields fight was a clear 50-45 to me as well.

As for distance props, I almost always stay away from them... I don't know why I did it tbh. I really thought it was solid too, I was really confident I was going to win that one. In hindsight, I think I would have made the bet again... it just happened.