In Interviews on UFC BJ said that GSP quit to Hughes and he was going to wait for GSP to make his mistake and sub him.
GSP said he was training for a "Tree Round War"
If BJ had trained for a "Tree Round War" instead of a 1 round war and lets wait out GSP to make a mistake for 2 rounds he proabably would have won.
BJ's strategy was wrong and I personally can't wait for the 5 round championship rematch after GSP gets the belt.
I predict it will be "Fight of the Century"
IMO BJ assumed that GSP would eventually be in a mode where he was desperately trying to take it to the ground. He was close, but every good plan needs a backup and it was BJ in my opinion that needed to spend the 3rd round on top looking for subs and applying safe GnP.
For all his talents I don't think BJ is good at dealing with unplanned adversity and adjusting a gameplan.
You both are correct.
bj gassed a bit.but he did try to get a takedown and top position in r 3
From: max power
"bj gassed a bit.but he did try to get a takedown and top position in r 3"
Too little too late.
Next time - and ther will be a next time, I think BJ will be more agrressive.
These guys could fight 10X and each be 5 and 5 they are both that good
I didn't see BJ breathing hard at all, but I did see him coast rather than go balls out.
The notion that that was an unfortunate part of his strategy is probably right, he was "waiting" for a mistake, and in hindsight not the best approach.
BJ coasted too much. I still believe Penn proved he is the better fighter. GSP didn't do anything to Penn. BJ hurt GSP.
MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts, the ability to use a combination of strikeing, take downs and submissions to beat your opponent. BJ showed me that he last night that he has heavy hands and great striking to go with his freaky submission ability.
but he needs to use them together. it's easy to be a arm chair quaterback in hindsight, but if BJ had used his striking ability to secure a take down and top position, even if GSP defended the GnP and sub's he GSP would have tired himeslf out enough that and BJ would have been fresh enough in the later rounds to go for s serious knockout or sub.
Next time they fight I think BJ will have a better understanding of GSP and a better plan.