Just re-watched the GSP vs. Serra fight

JohnnyBuddha · 12-05-2007, 09:16 AM

So I saw this fight again on Spike last night. If you missed it, they had a 3 hour special on of the highlights of 2007, so you might be able to catch a replay at some time.

But anyways, I'd only seen this fight once before and I had remembered it being really one-sided. Watching the fight again, 2 things stood out for me:

1/ GSP looked much better than I remembered originally. He threw many, many lead-leg roundhouses, and they were pretty ineffective (and least as far as landing them is concerned). Serra seemed to expect these. But overall, GSP looked really good countering Serra and seemed to almost daze him a couple of times.

2/ Serra looked quite calm and comfortable with his stand-up. He was aggressive but not foolishly aggressive.

Overall, I think Serra's stand-up looked far better than it did against Lytle. I was going to say "Serra's standup is underrated", but then I remember him against Lytle, and I don't feel so comfortable saying that. So maybe he really worked on it in preparation for this fight. Anyways, I have more respect for him now.

Otherwise, I think in the future GSP should mix in some takedowns, GnP, sub attempts into his strategy. He always has a shot at winning via those methods, and I think it would go a long way in wearing his opponent down and opening up opportunities for his standup. Anyone else see this fight recently? Thoughts?

**doyawanna** · 12-05-2007, 09:36 AM

GSP seemed to be just a little tentative, and not really throwing combinations. He never really mixed up his striking or seemed as dynamic as usual. He didn't look awful, he just looked "flat" (the best word I can think of). He wasn't bouncing, wasn't moving in and out of range, wasn't really very active in testing Serra's defenses. Just kind of flat, and he got caught as a result. Serra was the better fighter that day, but I don't see it happening like that again.

jornbjorn · 12-05-2007, 09:46 AM

gsp lost, get over it =P

Curado · 12-05-2007, 09:57 AM

Serra set up the hook that caught GSP nicely by throwing body shots. To me it looked like GSP's hands were dropping everytime he came in to throw a body shot and he wasn't protecting his head.

Death Roll · 12-05-2007, 09:57 AM

LOL, I definitely think GSP should do all the things he has always been doing

Death Roll · 12-05-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curado

Serra set up the hook that caught GSP nicely by throwing body shots. To me it looked like GSP's hands were dropping everytime he came in to throw a body shot and he wasn't protecting his head.

Wasn't protecting the back of his head

davjamrid · 12-05-2007, 10:05 AM

Styles make match ups. GSP has a style that is difficult for Hughes. Serra has a style difficult for GSP. Serra's style is good for Hughes. I see Hughes beating Serra, Serra beating GSP and GSP beating Hughes. Maybe the three of them should just share the belt...

PS _ awesome avatar death roll

Stiffler1379 · 12-05-2007, 10:05 AM

I dont think GsP should have tried to sub him, Serra is a Bjj Black belt with short stalky arms. Gl trying to sub someone with that much exp. Hopefully we will get to see these 2 fight again, a lot more has to be shown by both fighters if they have a rematch.

clifford neal · 12-05-2007, 10:10 AM

he got hit in the back of the head,and he wasnt as aggresive as he usually is.

JohnnyBuddha · 12-05-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doyawanna

GSP seemed to be just a little tentative, and not really throwing combinations. He never really mixed up his striking or seemed as dynamic as usual. He didn't look awful, he just looked "flat" (the best word I can think of). He wasn't bouncing, wasn't moving in and out of range, wasn't really very active in testing Serra's defenses. Just kind of flat, and he got caught as a result. Serra was the better fighter that day, but I don't see it happening like that again.

That's true. He wasn't coming in with the jab much like he used to--he used to be quick wiht a step in, jab to the face, jab body.

Quote:

Serra set up the hook that caught GSP nicely by throwing body shots. To me it looked like GSP's hands were dropping everytime he came in to throw a body shot and he wasn't protecting his head.

That's true too. He was throwing some pretty mean right hooks to the body. GSP countered him nicely a few times when he did this, but it seems that they had the desired effect of getting GSP to drop his hands eventually.