Who Is Honestly Picking Diaz to Beat GSP?

I'd like to know who thinks Nick Diaz will come out of his bout with GSP as the new UFC WW Champ? For several reasons, I personally think that GSP wins this fight 9 times out of 10.

Firstly, Nick has never been particularly good at avoiding being taken down. Even when he's faced opponents with average wrestling, a large percentage of takedowns against him were successful. Being one of the best wrestlers in the WW division, GSP should be able to take Diaz down almost at will. Being able to control where the fight takes place affords GSP a considerable advantage.

Secondly, while some would disagree, I am of the opinion that Nicks biggest strength as an fighter is his conditioning. His route to victory almost always involves maintaining a pace that his opponents can't sustain. While I concede that Diaz probably has the "better" conditioning of the two, GSP is so well conditioned that Diaz's advantage is almost negligible.

Thirdly, while Nick certainly has excellent submissions, several fighters with strong submission defence (sherk, sanchez, parisian) have managed to beat him by decision. I feel that Nick's most likely path to victory in this fight is to win by submission off his back, but I think there is little chance of it happening. GSP is a fantastic grappler who has only been submitted once in 24 fights.

Finally, while I am very impressed with Diaz's hands, GSP's striking is (in my opinion) equally impressive. In his bouts with Alvez and Hardy, he landed more standing strikes than either of his opponents. If Diaz is able to get the better of GSP on the feet, GSP can simply choose not to stand with him, and take him down.

I'm not saying that everyone or anyone should take my word on how this fight will play out. I just wanted to express the fact that I see GSP as a very heavy favorite in this fight.

For those of you who are picking Diaz: Why do you think he will win, and by which method? What part of GSP's skill set is over/under rated.

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I think the majority of the board wants Diaz to whoop GSP's ass but that same majority knows GSP will lay on him for 5 rounds.

The difference unlike most fights is that GSPs's opponent this time will not be tired, the one thing I find interesting will be to see how Diaz reacts because he is going to be very frustrated by at least the third round. You know he will talking to GSP throughout the fight and GSP will tune it out.

It's going to be an interesting fight regardless but it's going to be the same boring utcome. If Diaz wins though somehow, I will be forever thankful to him. Used to love GSP to the point he was my favorite fighter but he has bored me to death. I loved the GSP who used to go all in and destroy guys like he did with Hieron, Hughes, Fitch, Serra the second time, etc.

The tide for me turned around when he fought Alves

Not a chance.

Diaz only hope in this fight is to put Georges in enough bad situations on the ground that GSP actually decides to try and stand with Nick. Then, and only then, Nick could use his volume of punches to possible tire and beat GSP.

My money is on GSP throwing him around, somewhat reminiscent of Rory Mac tossing little Nate, then pounding him out violently on the ground.

I'll take Diaz. GSP is afraid to get hit, and most likely will be hit quite a bit in the fight. I could see GSP laying on Nick for 25 minutes, but I think Diaz is busy enough off the back to make GSP work and tire. Moreover, every round starts on the feet, and I don't see GSP getting take downs immediately.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roundhouse

Not a chance.

Diaz only hope in this fight is to put Georges in enough bad situations on the ground that GSP actually decides to try and stand with Nick. Then, and only then, Nick could use his volume of punches to possible tire and beat GSP.

My money is on GSP throwing him around, somewhat reminiscent of Rory Mac tossing little Nate, then pounding him out violently on the ground.

i dont believe GSP puts him out, he'll beat him up a bit but I don;t see him being able to end the fight. GSP will stay active but Diaz unlike most of GSP's opponents knows how to make guys on top have to stay active.

It's going to be the same results as past GSP fights, this is just a bit different because GSP will be fighting a guy for once who has great cardio unless of course Nick smokes 5 blunts before the fight

Quote:

Originally Posted by Best80smovieRAD

i dont believe GSP puts him out, he'll beat him up a bit but I don;t see him being able to end the fight. GSP will stay active but Diaz unlike most of GSP's opponents knows how to make guys on top have to stay active.

It's going to be the same results as past GSP fights, this is just a bit different because GSP will be fighting a guy for once who has great cardio unless of course Nick smokes 5 blunts before the fight

Nick is extremely tough to finish (has he ever been finish aside from the KJ Noons stoppage?), so he likely survives to go a decision. But I see GSP putting a hurt on him for 5 straight rounds.

I'd actually like if the fight were a little more interesting, and hopefully it will be. A big part of what makes GSP fights boring is that you pretty well know the outcome once you've watched the first round. I still think a lot of the impetis to make the fight more competetive should come from his opponent. At least in this case we know Crazy Nick will keep coming. I just don't think he'll have any success.