Aoki vs Kawajiri Dream 15

I have always looked at it like this: if GSP is so much better than everyone else at Welterweight then why have his last 3 opponents gone the distance with him in 5 round fights? Yes Hardy lost two rounds 10-8 but he did survive 25 minutes with the man who is a top 3 pound for pound fighter in the world. GSP's corner at one point actually told him not to pass guard, to sit in guard and "punish" from there. If GSP can pass guard at will into half guard or side control why isn't he finishing fights? Why not start dropping elbows? He can take anyone down when he wants so what is he worried about letting them up if he overcomits to elbows from side control?

LudoCain wrote:

I have always looked at it like this: if GSP is so much better than everyone else at Welterweight then why have his last 3 opponents gone the distance with him in 5 round fights? Yes Hardy lost two rounds 10-8 but he did survive 25 minutes with the man who is a top 3 pound for pound fighter in the world. GSP's corner at one point actually told him not to pass guard, to sit in guard and "punish" from there. If GSP can pass guard at will into half guard or side control why isn't he finishing fights? Why not start dropping elbows? He can take anyone down when he wants so what is he worried about letting them up if he overcomits to elbows from side control?

he himself doesn't know how to answer that question, how do you expect us to know

I wasn't asking ya'll, I was asking rhetorical questions. However that is my thought process when I hear people saying GSP is the best in the world(some rank him #1 pound for pound) and whatnot.

I'm suprised Aoki was so quick to ask for a rematch after winning his fight when he said after Nashville that he had a lot to prove before he could ever ask for a rematch.

His win was impressive but i don't think he showed anything that would make me think a rematch with Gil would go any different, but who knows? maybe the cage, country, Gil's conservative game plan, etc. Played a factor. Aoki has definetly done very quick work of some really good guys in the ring.

I remember in the old days when Ken could have broken Olegs ankle and didnt and the 2's reationship was definitely strained over it I remember Guy saying Ken should have broken it cause to be caught in a sub and not tap was kind of a form of cheating (not really cheating persay) but it was like trying to not admit you were caught, it was funny cause Guy was the dude in the gym that had the rep that he would break your shit instantly if he got the chance and not Ken

but i dont think Guy ever broke anything on anyone in NHB/MMA but Ken did, haha funny how taht worked out
also its clear why Aoki wants the rematch know IMO, he just beat the best sprawl brawler in Japan and closest thing to an american wrestler puncher that Japan has to offer, and Aoki completely dominated him.

Birdofthad wrote:

I remember in the old days when Ken could have broken Olegs ankle and didnt and the 2's reationship was definitely strained over it I remember Guy saying Ken should have broken it cause to be caught in a sub and not tap was kind of a form of cheating (not really cheating persay) but it was like trying to not admit you were caught, it was funny cause Guy was the dude in the gym that had the rep that he would break your shit instantly if he got the chance and not Ken

but i dont think Guy ever broke anything on anyone in NHB/MMA but Ken did, haha funny how taht worked out
also its clear why Aoki wants the rematch know IMO, he just beat the best sprawl brawler in Japan and closest thing to an american wrestler puncher that Japan has to offer, and Aoki completely dominated him.

And that is the difference between US and Japan when it comes to MMA now a days.

your right without a doubt Farmer but it is funny that before this match alot of people thought Kawajiri would win cause of his style and every board i visited had a good amount of people saying Kawajiri would do better in the UFC than Aoki cause of his style

Kawajiri would be awesome in the UFC. A brawl with Lil Heathen would be epic.

I agree wolf, Kawajiri, while just destroyed, would be fun as hell in the UFC, he would brawl with them all