Does GSP's type of mentality really belong in a fight sport?

[NamelessMC]

I see GSP time and time again, being interviewed, at press conferences and it always seems to be the case that, he compliments his opponents, acts very modest and doesn't speak of himself in very high regard.

Does that really belong in this sport?

I see people criticize fighters because they're not as modest or humble as GSP: Nick Diaz, Tim Sylvia, Dan Henderson, Rampage Jackson, the list goes on. And one of the people they use in comparison is GSP.

Are we really in a position to criticize a fighter in how they prepare themselves for a fight? Last I checked, in the sport of combat, being confident and sure of your victory is one of the keys to success. In fact, last I checked, the amount of victories for fighters that were confident, far exceeds the amount of victories for fighters that were "humble" and kissed up to their opponents.

It shocks me that, so many fans of this sport quote and pretend to know a lot about boxing and its coming of age leading to MMA, that seem to forget that some of the greatest and most honored boxers, were VERY arrogant and cocky in their disposition:
Muhammad Ali
Joe Frazier
George Foreman (Pre-Christian Born-again)
Julio Cesar Chavez
Bernard Hopkins
Mike Tyson
Rocky Marciano

Are they assholes, or are they just finding the best way to prepare their mental game? No one, and I mean, NO ONE, wants to go into a fight, thinking anything good of their opponent. Too much respect for your opponent causes hesitation, lack of confidence and displaces you from your rhythm. Should you underestimate your opponents? No, but you certainly shouldn't forget that your goal as a fighter is to hurt them until they either submit, can't continue the fight or you gain enough points on them to win the fight by judges' scorecards.

I personally think some of the "arrogant" fighters are the best fighters at being prepared for a fight game. Are some of the most successful fighters, rather humble and respectful? Sure, but some of the most successful fighters, and in higher count, are very confident and sure of their skillset before they fight.

My point is, you should never criticize fighters like Nick Diaz or Diego Sanchez, based on their personalities.

This isn't a soap opera, this isn't a Lindsay Lohan movie, this isn't Karate Kid, this is a full contact fighting sport. Unless you're very emotional or sensitive, in which case this sport isn't for you at all, the only thing that should matter when you criticize a fighter is the following:
Do they train hard for a fight?
Are they skilled in one aspect or another?
Do they display ring/cage morale, like stopping when the ref tells them, following rules, no intentional groin shots?
Do they duck fights?
Do they use performance enhancers?

Things you SHOULDNT criticize a fighter for:
Is his hair a pretty color?
Is he really mean and not so sweet or nice?
Is his entrance music catchy that makes you wanna shake your bum?
Is he cute?
Does he have nice skin?
Do I like the design of his shorts?

See where I'm going with that?

[swyftdahoe]

I agree with a lot of what you've said.. and it's true that "arrogance" could be a good thing in combat sports..

But.. there's also a place for the kind of fighter who'll give you all the respect that you deserve and then proceed to smash your face in.. GSP's the latter.. and it works for him..

I enjoy bravado tho.. Being a delusional and self-absorbed d!ckhead is one thing.. but being a trash-talking competitor is another (eg, Ali)..

[Tom Hishon]

Listen man, you are going to take a 8-10 week training camp, show up make weight, walk down that aisle and crawl into the ring/cage with a dude that did the exact same thing as you. You both are going to touch gloves and give it 100% till you run out of time or one of you can't continue.

You should respect that dude. Everyone should. 99.9% of the people out there have no idea what it takes to be a fighter man. Physically, emotionally, from your family, the injuries....... He is just being respectful. If a dude comes in and starts talking about a bunch of chirp. I know he's scared. I know he is lacking confidence, which means their's a hole in his game or he has to psych himself up to do it. Either way, it's weak.

[TomCurtin]

It certainly seems to work for GSP. Some people need to talk ish and smack to get motivated. I personally find that sad. Some don't ,GSP.

You can have class and be humble and still be one of the best fighters in the world. Some people aren't reserved enough to be able to not get their mouth going.

I think one of the best examples of false brovado is Melvin Guillard. How much trash can one guy talk before he shuts the f up?? Clementi took exception to the kind of attitude you are encouraging. That didn't work out so well for Melvin did it?

[dinpappa]

Originally Posted by Tom Hishon

Listen man, you are going to take a 8-10 week training camp, show up make weight, walk down that aisle and crawl into the ring/cage with a dude that did the exact same thing as you. You both are going to touch gloves and give it 100% till you run out of time or one of you can't continue.

You should respect that dude. Everyone should. 99.9% of the people out there have no idea what it takes to be a fighter man. Physically, emotionally, from your family, the injuries....... He is just being respectful. If a dude comes in and starts talking about a bunch of chirp. I know he's scared. I know he is lacking confidence, which means their's a hole in his game or he has to psych himself up to do it. Either way, it's weak.

Well said, well said

[Murdock4]

GSP is just being who he is...and theres nothing wrong with that... on the flip side there nothing wrong with bashing your opponent to psych yourself up.

[Murdock4]

edit:repeat...

[TomCurtin]

Originally Posted by Tom Hishon

Listen man, you are going to take a 8-10 week training camp, show up make weight, walk down that aisle and crawl into the ring/cage with a dude that did the exact same thing as you. You both are going to touch gloves and give it 100% till you run out of time or one of you can't continue.

You should respect that dude. Everyone should. 99.9% of the people out there have no idea what it takes to be a fighter man. Physically, emotionally, from your family, the injuries....... He is just being respectful. If a dude comes in and starts talking about a bunch of chirp. I know he's scared. I know he is lacking confidence, which means their's a hole in his game or he has to psych himself up to do it. Either way, it's weak.

Hey well said.

[Tbonetron2.0]

Last time I checked Randy Couture was highly thought of as a gentleman. So is Fedor. Or Anderson Silva.

[Bob Lawblaw]

Brevity, man, Brevity. Someone much smarter than me said it was the soul of wit.