GSP vs Hughes vs Serra - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

HellRazor · 12-31-2007, 08:41 AM

I've watched GSP vs Hughes III four times in the last 30 hours or so. It wasn't a mirage. Matt Hughes had nothing for Georges St. Pierre. GSP had better hands, better kicks, better takedowns, better takedown defense and, well we can't say superior submissions because Hughes never came within a sniff of a submission.

Hat's off to Hughes for coming in with a different strategy. But his opponent was bigger, stronger, faster and more skilled. But, tellingly, when Hughes got GSP up against the fence, and had both his legs, he STILL couldn't take him down. The fight was over at that point. Hughes had no safe place to take the fight, and no ability to control where the fight took place.

Which brings us to Matt Serra.

I went back and watched the Serra - GSP fight. GSP had no offense. He basically couldn't hit Serra, despite a six inch reach advantage. Serra checked GSP's leg kicks, and used head movement to avoid taking toomany shots on the way in. When he finally caught GSP, he swarmed him.

Who would I pick in a re-match? GSP. He lost because he made a mistake. There are also rumors he was injured, but I haven't heard GS use that as excuse, so as far as I'm concerned it's irrelevant. But Serra and GSP are two guys who are very good on the ground, who's last match took place almost totally on it's feet. I have no idea who'd win on the ground.

If GSP beats Serra, and Hughes doesn't retire, we'll probably see Hughes-Serra this summer or fall.

Beazt · 12-31-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellRazor

If GSP beats Serra, and Hughes doesn't retire, we'll probably see Hughes-Serra this summer or fall.

Truth be told, Joe Silva, Dana White, Matt Hughes, and Matt Serra want this fight no matter what. It might take a while like Liddell vs Silva, but it will happen.

Like you said, if Serra loses to GSP, then we'll see Serra - Hughes this summer. If per chance, Serra does beat GSP again, then Serra will have one more title defense and win or lose he'll fight Hughes early '09. Possibly one the Superbowl card.

I find it very hard to believe and an insult to think Hughes should or will retire. It has been arguably 1-2 years since he was "crowned" the best welterweight ever (by the majority of MMA fans).

FatCatMC · 12-31-2007, 09:20 AM

As much as I like Serra, I see him losing a rematch, but not a total domination like GSP vs. Hughes III. Serra's stand-up is light years ahead of Hughes' which obviously posed a problem for GSP the first time and his BJJ is better than Hughes' too, which will allow him to survive longer off of his back. I can't imagine GSP subbing Serra, and I don't see him getting a KO either due to Serra elusiveness. I still think Serra is coming into this next fight underrated and it should be much more competitive than GSP vs. Hughes III.

That being said I still think that Hughes would have stalled out a LnP decision over Serra. Weird huh?

HellRazor · 12-31-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beazt

I find it very hard to believe and an insult to think Hughes should or will retire. It has been arguably 1-2 years since he was "crowned" the best welterweight ever (by the majority of MMA fans).

I don't think Hughes should retire, unless he's not motivated anymore. The question is what HE thinks.

Hughes' post-match comments sounded like he didn't believe he could beat GSP again, period. So does he want to hang around as a 'tough opponent, perennial contender' type, a la Ernie Shavers? I wouldn't be terribly surprised if he retires to the farm, and then opens a school shortly thereafter. Some guys love to fight. Some guys love being the best. Hughes loves being the best, and once that's no longer possible, I think his heart won't be in it anymore.

The flesh is strong, but the spirit, I think, less than willing.

giguer · 12-31-2007, 01:24 PM

But Hughes have not say he want to fight Silva if anyone was able to beat him?

Tap_or_Snap · 12-31-2007, 01:40 PM

I agree Hughes has done a lot of training of late and he really has nothing else to prove. He still has a ton of skills that he can share with up and coming fighters. Wrestlers are one of the strongest P4P athletes second only to gymnist (crazy strong). He is a great fighter no if ands or buts about it. None of u know it but I dislike Hughes with a passion. He could be fighting Brittany Spears and I would be pulling for her, but I also give him the credit he has earned. He was a good champion and he beat good fighters. So if he goes home to the farm and opens a gym. I hope all goes well for him. If he fights more... Well I will be yelling for whoever it is.

FightFan76 · 12-31-2007, 03:20 PM

I really want to say that GSP will destroy Serra and when you look at it skill-wise he should but the same could be said for last time as well. I just have this feeling that it could be a match-up issue w/ Serra similar to Tito/Chuck or Chuck/Rampage. I really do hope I am wrong about this and will be pulling for GSP, he is the best p4p MMA fighter in the world IMHO.....

kev0 · 01-01-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giguer

But Hughes have not say he want to fight Silva if anyone was able to beat him?

Ya i definitely remember him saying he would move up and fight A. Silva if no one beat him. Which would be a complete disaster for him IMO.

giguer · 01-01-2008, 03:36 PM

Maybe be on the side for a couple months for hughes and after come back to try to beat a.silva.

dymac · 01-01-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellRazor

I've watched GSP vs Hughes III four times in the last 30 hours or so. It wasn't a mirage. Matt Hughes had nothing for Georges St. Pierre. GSP had better hands, better kicks, better takedowns, better takedown defense and, well we can't say superior submissions because Hughes never came within a sniff of a submission.

Hat's off to Hughes for coming in with a different strategy. But his opponent was bigger, stronger, faster and more skilled. But, tellingly, when Hughes got GSP up against the fence, and had both his legs, he STILL couldn't take him down. The fight was over at that point. Hughes had no safe place to take the fight, and no ability to control where the fight took place.

Which brings us to Matt Serra.

I went back and watched the Serra - GSP fight. GSP had no offense. He basically couldn't hit Serra, despite a six inch reach advantage. Serra checked GSP's leg kicks, and used head movement to avoid taking toomany shots on the way in. When he finally caught GSP, he swarmed him.

Who would I pick in a re-match? GSP. He lost because he made a mistake. There are also rumors he was injured, but I haven't heard GS use that as excuse, so as far as I'm concerned it's irrelevant. But Serra and GSP are two guys who are very good on the ground, who's last match took place almost totally on it's feet. I have no idea who'd win on the ground.

If GSP beats Serra, and Hughes doesn't retire, we'll probably see Hughes-Serra this summer or fall.

Watching hughes fight GSP was like watching Shamrock fight tito. IMO its time for hughes to retire.

HellRazor · 01-01-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FightFan76

I really want to say that GSP will destroy Serra and when you look at it skill-wise he should but the same could be said for last time as well. I just have this feeling that it could be a match-up issue w/ Serra similar to Tito/Chuck or Chuck/Rampage. I really do hope I am wrong about this and will be pulling for GSP, he is the best p4p MMA fighter in the world IMHO.....

But as you said, it could be a matchup issue. Serra is a very compact guy with good defensive skills. He's difficult to attack. He's short and powerful, so he's hard to attack with a shoot. Similarly, if you trade hands with him and he gets inside, advantage Serra.

If GSP gets Serra on his back, he could hit him in the head from guard, the height disparity is so great. But Serra is supposedly Renzo Gracie's first American black belt. He should be able to fight on his back. But Parisyan pounded Serra while he was in Serra's guard. The guy can be hit on his back.

the preach man · 01-01-2008, 06:40 PM

with all duerespect to serra let's remember one thing... He is one unlikely punch and a reality show away from ppl only knowing him because of Carters spinning backfist. I don't see him having one title defense nor do I see him competing in the top 10 in the world.

FightFan76 · 01-01-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellRazor

But as you said, it could be a matchup issue. Serra is a very compact guy with good defensive skills. He's difficult to attack. He's short and powerful, so he's hard to attack with a shoot. Similarly, if you trade hands with him and he gets inside, advantage Serra.

If GSP gets Serra on his back, he could hit him in the head from guard, the height disparity is so great. But Serra is supposedly Renzo Gracie's first American black belt. He should be able to fight on his back. But Parisyan pounded Serra while he was in Serra's guard. The guy can be hit on his back.

Yeah exactly, I hope GSP can get through this next fight against Serra w/ a victory which I believe should set up a title match w/ Fitch. At this point Fitch is the only WW w/ a chance agianst GSP and the way GSP has looked his last couple of fights I am not so sure that would be very competitive either.....

Beazt · 01-02-2008, 08:44 AM

What about this situation:

Hughes can't beat GSP at WW. So he moves to MW to fight A. Silva.
Rich Franklin can't be A. Silva. So he moves to WW to fight GSP.

It probably will not be too hard to convince both fighters. They can't do jack in their division and at the same time they can "avenge" a friend.

Just think about the marketing on these two fights!
Seriously, I think Zuffa needs to give some $$ to me for coming up with this.

Kurtis636 · 01-02-2008, 09:00 AM

I don't think Rich Franklin could ever make WW.

FightFan76 · 01-03-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurtis636

I don't think Rich Franklin could ever make WW.

Yeah I agree, unless he got sick or something; he would not have anything left after cutting to WW IMHO.....

HellRazor · 01-03-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the preach man

with all duerespect to serra let's remember one thing... He is one unlikely punch and a reality show away from ppl only knowing him because of Carters spinning backfist.

The punch wasn't 'unlikely'. Serra was trying to find his way inside on GSP the whole fight. Far from unlikely, that punch is one Serra is likely to get, if you trade hands with him, and let him get inside. He has his limitations, but short range hands isn't one of them. I think GSP has a broader skillset, but he let Serra have the fight Serra wanted. It'll be interesting to see what happens if the fight ever goes to the ground. Serra is supposed to be a BJJ black belt, so in theory, he should be perfectly happy to fight GSP on the ground.

I never, ever discount the guy who actually holding the title, if he won it in the ring.

the preach man · 01-03-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellRazor

The punch wasn't 'unlikely'. Serra was trying to find his way inside on GSP the whole fight. Far from unlikely, that punch is one Serra is likely to get, if you trade hands with him, and let him get inside. He has his limitations, but short range hands isn't one of them. I think GSP has a broader skillset, but he let Serra have the fight Serra wanted. It'll be interesting to see what happens if the fight ever goes to the ground. Serra is supposed to be a BJJ black belt, so in theory, he should be perfectly happy to fight GSP on the ground.

I never, ever discount the guy who actually holding the title, if he won it in the ring.

I disagree. There is a reason that he was on the show 'the comeback'. Serra isn't good enough to get a title shot by moving up the ranks. He got his shot by beating other guys that are not elite fighters themselves.

I'm not saying that serra isn't a good fighter. I'm just saying that I agree with matt hughes on this one. If serra and gsp fight 100 times gsp wins 99. Serra will have a chance to prove me wrong soon enough but I will be betting on gsp(again).