Originally posted by: ChrisminaL Date: December 17, 2013 at 04:53 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
I was wondering where GSP would be in the division if he comes back after a layoff of 12/18/24 months. I don't think he'd come back if his layoff is longer.
Would he get a title shot right away, or will he have 1 or more fights before that ?
I believe that he'd be deserving a shot right away if the layoff isn't too long, but after a 18 or 24 months layoff, he'd need a title eliminator fight before.
Originally posted by: phoenix-mma Date: December 17, 2013 at 04:58 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Originally posted by: Flound Date: December 17, 2013 at 06:11 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
I'm of the mind if a former champion, who retired/quit/leave of absence/whatever while still holding the belt, should, if he wants it, get a title shot.
If the ex-champ wants a tune-up that's his prerogative, but if he's willing to take on the current champ, let him.
Originally posted by: NYR30 Date: December 17, 2013 at 08:07 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Originally posted by: Tum Tum Date: December 17, 2013 at 08:52 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
ChrisminaL said:
I was wondering where GSP would be in the division if he comes back after a layoff of 12/18/24 months. I don't think he'd come back if his layoff is longer.
Would he get a title shot right away, or will he have 1 or more fights before that ?
I believe that he'd be deserving a shot right away if the layoff isn't too long, but after a 18 or 24 months layoff, he'd need a title eliminator fight before.
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I think it also depends on who is the champion if he returns. If Rory MacDonald becomes the champion in the next year or so I don't think GSP comes back. However, if Hendricks is still champion I think he comes back and immediately fights for the title.
Originally posted by: Thak27 Date: December 17, 2013 at 09:12 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Tum Tum said:
I think it also depends on who is the champion if he returns. If Rory MacDonald becomes the champion in the next year or so I don't think GSP comes back. However, if Hendricks is still champion I think he comes back and immediately fights for the title.
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I'm not sure he wants Hendricks either. I think if someone like Condit, Lawlar or Diaz (G-d forbid) are holding the belt - it would be a lot easier for GSP to come back.
Originally posted by: Reckin007 Date: December 17, 2013 at 09:22 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Thak27 said:
I'm not sure he wants Hendricks either. I think if someone like Condit, Lawlar or Diaz (G-d forbid) are holding the belt - it would be a lot easier for GSP to come back.
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I dunno, GSP is an athlete and a huge competitor, and certainly not a stupid guy. He knows there were question marks on this last fight but with whatever is going on in his personal life he doesn't seem to care about it right now. Once things clear up and he starts looking back at that fight I'm sure he'd come back to fight Hendricks immediately, especially if he's the champion. GSP has never backed down from a challenge before, in fact the last time he lost he came back better than ever. With some time off (where he's not dealing with a significant injury) and the ability to focus primarily on training for Johny Hendricks who knows how good he could be the next time we see him (if we see him). It's not like their first fight was a blowout...considering he won (sort of)
Originally posted by: RushFit Date: December 17, 2013 at 09:32 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
GSP would stand as a huge cash cow for the UFC because let's face it if he comes back we're all buying that ppv or at least going out of our way to see it.
Originally posted by: Spud Date: December 17, 2013 at 09:36 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Where ever the hell he wants. He's made more PPV money for the UFC than any fighter ever has, they'd put him straight into a title fight if he wanted. If he wanted a tune up fight, they'd give him that.
Originally posted by: mmablaster Date: December 17, 2013 at 09:39 AM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
NYR30 said:
No matter how long he's out I think he'd get either an immediate title shot or 1 warm up fight and then a title shot
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Yep. He would definitely be headlining a PPV regardless.
Originally posted by: Sapper Date: December 17, 2013 at 12:06 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Flound said:
I'm of the mind if a former champion, who retired/quit/leave of absence/whatever while still holding the belt, should, if he wants it, get a title shot.
If the ex-champ wants a tune-up that's his prerogative, but if he's willing to take on the current champ, let him.
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This. I grew up watching boxing and in most cases like GSP's if a champ vacates the title he is declared "Champion Emeritus" which means when/ if he comes back and wants the title fight right away he gets it. It is left to him to decided if he wants a tune up fight first.
Personally I hope GSP stays retired. He has done everything there is to do in the sport of MMA. There is not a lot of fighters going up in weight to get more belts, so that is not a factor in his legacy. He will go down as the greatest WW we have seen yet,and one of the all time greatest MMA fighters. He has nothing left to prove.
Originally posted by: osubuckeye4 Date: December 17, 2013 at 12:26 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
I think Zuffa would let GSP make the call. (and I think GSP has earned and deserves it)
GSP would know where he stands physically. If he felt he was ready to step right in and go for the title, I don't think there would be any resistance on Zuffas part.
If he wanted a tune-up fight, or if he asked for a non-champ to fight (maybe Hendricks, if Hendricks fails to win the belt against Lawler)... I don't think there would be any resistance there either.
Originally posted by: Thak27 Date: December 17, 2013 at 12:40 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Reckin007 said:
I dunno, GSP is an athlete and a huge competitor, and certainly not a stupid guy. He knows there were question marks on this last fight but with whatever is going on in his personal life he doesn't seem to care about it right now. Once things clear up and he starts looking back at that fight I'm sure he'd come back to fight Hendricks immediately, especially if he's the champion. GSP has never backed down from a challenge before, in fact the last time he lost he came back better than ever. With some time off (where he's not dealing with a significant injury) and the ability to focus primarily on training for Johny Hendricks who knows how good he could be the next time we see him (if we see him). It's not like their first fight was a blowout...considering he won (sort of)
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Interesting point.
But if I'm GSP, I would leave well enough alone. He was fortunate to beat Hendricks in more ways than one (controversial decision, and almost getting knocked out cold). I know GSP is a competitor that won't back down from a challenge, and he probably would love to prove doubters wrong with a decisive victory over Hendricks. But Hendricks is a pain in the *** to fight. He's tough to take down and to keep down, and just needs to touch you with his fists to turn your lights out. For GSP, he's better off putting his ego aside and walking away on top and to me the GOAT.
Originally posted by: thabestevah Date: December 17, 2013 at 01:24 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Originally posted by: NicoSuave Date: December 17, 2013 at 01:29 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Randy Couture was gone for a year, then got a Heavyweight Title fight after being away from the division for lord knows how long.
Should GSP come back, he's accomplished enough in the sport to have earned an immediate title shot.
Originally posted by: JW1978 Date: December 17, 2013 at 02:46 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Flound said:
I'm of the mind if a former champion, who retired/quit/leave of absence/whatever while still holding the belt, should, if he wants it, get a title shot.
If the ex-champ wants a tune-up that's his prerogative, but if he's willing to take on the current champ, let him.
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This exactly--when referring to a champ of the stature of GSP. If it were someone who only held the belt for a fight or two...I'm not sure they've "earned the right" to get an immediate title shot after giving up the belt and a fair amount of time goes by. But since we're discussing GSP, IMO, the man has earned the right to what he wants, whether it's an immediate shot or a warm-up fight.
Originally posted by: 2_1up2_4down Date: December 17, 2013 at 03:06 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
if he comes back, he should have the choice if he wants an instant title shot or a tune up fight.
but GSP has to be careful. he's entered the age where his athletic abilities decline, so he should at the least stay in shape to off set some of that
and btw he's taken a leave of absence from fighting but will he be active in helping train his team mates?
Originally posted by: pridefighter27 Date: December 17, 2013 at 04:56 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Originally posted by: Aetherial Date: December 17, 2013 at 06:40 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
Flound said:
I'm of the mind if a former champion, who retired/quit/leave of absence/whatever while still holding the belt, should, if he wants it, get a title shot.
If the ex-champ wants a tune-up that's his prerogative, but if he's willing to take on the current champ, let him.
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That sounds reasonable.
Originally posted by: MMAFTM13 Date: December 17, 2013 at 06:52 PM Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/where-would-gsp-stand-if-when-he-comes-back.60344/
