The more I think about it, the more I think George St. Pierre is the newest "most complete fighter."
He can do it all, he won the takedown battle against Karo and even took Hughes down. He blasted thru Hieron with his striking (as he likes to mention, he started as a striker, age 7, karate). He also submitted Dave Strasser faster than Karo did. He also apparently battered Karo pretty good on the ground too.
He also seems to one of the most athletically gifted guys in a while too; quick, strong, explosive, etc.
GSP seems to be on the road to be coming not only one of the elites but a triple threat in a fight (standing, GNP, subs) like Fedor, BJ, Busta, Barnett, etc.
Guess he'll have to get thru the not too one shabby Miller this weekend (right Mayhem?) but does anyone else agree/disagree with me here? Mayhem?
I still think its too early to face a Trigg (Hughes was def. too early too but why turn the opp down and he still showed that he had some game even against a Matt Hughes).
OH, SHIT, def. forgot about FRANKLIN, definately. His wrestling might not be that "great" but he def. doesnt get outwrestled from what I have seen and is that good on his feet that he usu. doesnt seem to need it.
So: GSP, Franklin. Any others? Actually, in what has to be the best kickboxing showing ever for a non-striking based MMA fighter (against one of K-1's best in K-1 rules), KID YAMAMOTO also has to be up there.
Great wrestling, possibly the best GNPer in the game, and fought well against the bigger Masato in K-1. Dont know too much about his bjj game but I think its just that his GNP (and general ass kicking) overshadows that.
I mean, could you imagine Crocop going into Abu Dhabi and doing well against a Sperry or something?
actually while on his back he made more than one mistake. I can only judge him on that being as I have only seen him on his back in that fight. That said I think he is an amazing fighter and the future of this sport.
I would agree that his game off his back is his weakest point. I think that his competition up here probably rarely put him on his back so it became an under-developped part of his game.
I also think that the best way to beat him would be to put him on his back.
That's what makes his fight with Mayhem so interesting, GSP wants to strike with Miller and lord knows what Mayhem wants to do. Can he put St.Pierre on his back? And can he beat him if he doesn't?
Well, he is very young and was fighting Matt Hughes, point out as many mistakes as you want, I know he lost that fight.
And if his bottom game was as good as the rest of his game at this state, what would he have to improve?
GSP, Franlin, Kid...who are other new/young well rounded fighters?
Minotoro seems to have better boxing than his bro though his sub game aint as good (but thats not saying much)....
Arlovski aint exactly "new" or that "young" (Franklin is actually close to 30 I think) but he def. belongs on the pantheon of standing or ground finishers now....