The idea of the GSP-Diaz grudge match was enought to generate significant interest in UFC 158, but the 3 top main card fights are really fights involving 6 of the top guys in the division. If the UFC can add a rumored bout between Strikeforce Champion, Nate Marquardt and Jon Fitch, this card would really line up the guys in the best position to replace GSP when he jumps up to fight Silva. UFC Welterweight Championship: Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz Welterweight bout: Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald Welterweight bout: Johny Hendricks vs. Jake Ellenberger Something tells me we've talking about Hendrick-MacDonald for the vacant title in Summer 2013
Why would you think the title will be vacated in 2013? The silva fight? I thought Dana said this wasnt going to be for a title.
No, I think GSP will consider retiring after the Silva fight. Just my opinion. But I also think the UFC will have an interim title fight (BS) if GSP signs to fight Silva later in the year.
I think GSP will move up to fight Silva as a Swan Song and also to make room for his protege, MacDonald. But I've been wrong before.
I tend to agree with you here. But not sure. Obviously Jones' next fight is Sonnen. After that I can see Gustafsson. But maybe Silva before that. After Diaz, believing he gets passed Nick, I see a perfect spot to have GSP fight Silva.
Nick Diaz getting a title shot proves that UFC is a business first and a legitimate sport second. I think Dana knows that a Diaz fight is a lot more profitable than a Hendricks fight thus they wanna capitalize on the money that's there for the taking. At the same time I feel they are not (and rightfully so) confident in Nick Diaz's skills at the top of the division thus they are milking him for all he's worth before he loses again Hendricks Ellenberger is nothing special either. In my eyes at least the Koscheck fight greatly hurt Hendricks drawing power. Imagine if he had back to back blitzkrieg knockouts of Fitch and Kampmann. Then the interest in the GSP fight would be much much bigger. Rory vs Condit is a great fight. I would actually prefer this fight to be held on a smaller card where it can main event and where we can get 5 full rounds of this.
I don't doubt you're right about Zuffa being business first. But I honestly think the Diaz fight was requested by GSP and giving him what he wanted was probably in exchange for GSP agreeing to fight Silva down the road. All I know for certain is that GSP asked for Nick Diaz. He wants to kick Nicks ass badly. Personally I don't care. I love the match and good for the UFC for giving fans what they want. And Hendricks-Ellenberger is a great match-up. Two guys with great wrestling that love to bang??? Are you kidding me. It's Koscheck-Hendricks minus the lulls in action.
If GSP requested it then it's different, I don't mind it then. Build up should be good as well as the fight. It just kinda annoyed me that just as Sonnen talks his way into fights Diaz seems to whine his way in. Dude clearly lost to Condit and got busted for weed and gets rewarded with a title fight? That's kinda ass backwards to me but like I said if GSP requested it then I don't mind it at all. honestly only have seen 3 fights of Hendricks and a couple here and there of Ellenberger. I for some reason find it really hard to get excited about Ellenberger fights. I see him as a guy who will never reach top and thus it kinda ruins it for me to get excited about his fights. Also I think the Koscheck fight kinda left a sour taste in my mouth as far as Hendricks being exciting. But if you say it should be a good fight I'll take your word for it bro.
