Thoughts On UFC 94
February 1, 2009
It was idea thrown out in my review of his win over Jon Fitch at UFC 87 , but it was reaffirmed in his domination and stoppage of BJ Penn. GSP is moving beyond discussions about pound for pound, which is a limiting discussion to this time and and this place. Such limitations are becoming too much of a hindrance to the legacy that GSP is building. As I stated back in August GSP is staking his claim in ruthless fashion to the title of G.O.A.T. : Greatest of All Time. His utter dominance over the legendary and the lauded at 170 gives his fight card a depth and breadth that can’t be claimed by anyone else in the fight game at this time and possibly at any time, with neither Fedor nor Anderson Silva having the sustained level of “dance partners” that has made the reign of GSP move beyond a realm of greatness into mythic status. St Pierre is entering a level where the sport isn’t defining his greatness but the other way around, the way a Jordan defined the NBA, or Gretsky defined the NHL, or Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus defined golf. To those that are watching St Pierre, this word of advice: Appreciate the greatness that has been bestowed upon you; enjoy this place, enjoy this time, as the brilliance of the young Canuck may be the thing that defines the sport long after he has left the Octagon.
His performance against BJ at UFC 94 one of sustained brilliance, one that gathered momentum as it moved to a conclusion. A slow boil built to a boiling cauldron over the course of the four rounds. GSP’s imposition of his physical presence, his ability to become ever more successful with his take downs, his ability to pass the guard of a the world champion jiu jitsu player; all of these efforts ambled along at an ever increasing pace until they reached a crescendo in fourth round. GSP wreaked a sustained havoc on Penn during that period that had referee Herb Dean near stopping the fight and made the decision to halt the bout a logical one. Once the bout was concluded, it was almost with incredulity that one looked back on the whole of the fight. The bout presented few moments of danger for the French Canadian, with Penn unable to mount any serious moments of effective offense. This is made all the more mind-numbing by virtue that Penn himself will be a hall of famer when he decides to retire. Penn’s mix of stand-up and ground skills are at a level matched by few in the mixed martial arts world today. The thought of his offensive abilities basically being shunted away by the work of GSP would have thought to be not possible entering the fight.
This fight will come to define GSP’s brilliance but it would be sad if it were to be used to detract from the greatness of Penn. His talent is of a quality that isn’t seen often. He will re-take his throne at 155 and little seems to be of import at that weight that would prevent him from continuing his reign as the greatest lightweight in the world. History shouldn’t judge his performance in this fight as a defining one but maybe just a moment in time when BJ’s reach exceeded his grasp. BJ once put forward this statement and query: “I just want to be the best ever. Is that too much to ask?” While history will define that challenge to immortality with a nay, BJ should be applauded for the virtue and courage he put forth in the cage tonight to provide that answer.
GSP’s work will be the defining moment of this card, a saving grace to a card that before that might have been left being remembered as one of the few missteps in the matchmaking span of Joe Silva. Silva’s mix of styles and opponents yielded a crop of bouts that left the crowd somewhat wanting leading up to the headlining bout. 8 out of 10 cards on the bout would go to a decision, generally not a ratio that the UFC would be very happy about. The match-ups on paper before the card intimated that such a result might be in the offing. In picking the fights prior to the card, I had 7 of the 10 fights going to the decision. A cursory examination of the match-ups left the experienced eye knowing that most of the fights would go long. To give proper due, though, this is a mere hiccup in the resume of Silva. His booking hand is generally one with a deft touch that has the right mix of fighters, styles and match-ups that provides a varied card that is enjoyable on the whole.
