I don't know about you, but I've become pretty accustomed to GSP apologizing after winning a five round unanimous decision. You can almost count on it as much as you can count on him wearing his Karate Kid outfit during his walk out.
Unfortunately for GSP and the UFC, fans are not taking to this "decision" trademark as well as they have to the Ralph Macchio get-up.
If there's one thing we know about MMA, it's that you're only as good (or bad) as your last fight.
Lyoto Machida is a prime example of this statement. There was a time, not too long ago, when the "Dragon" was considered unstoppable and many believed he would become the longest reigning LHW champion.
After losing only two fights out of 10 (in the UFC), Machida is now fighting to keep his spot on the UFC roster.
Fedor Emelianenko was once considered (still considered by me), to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time.
After only one legitimate loss (doctor stoppages are not legitimate) in 35 fights, he has been forgotten by most and has dropped below the likes of Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin in unofficial rankings.
If the effects of losing one or two fights have this much of an impact, what are the effects of winning four or five boring fights in a row?
In a previous article, I asked the question, "Do you find GSP fights exciting?". In almost 1000 votes, over 50 percent have responded "NO".
What do you think the poll numbers would have been had I asked this question four or five fights earlier?
The importance of excitement in sports is unquestionable. Several sports, such as basketball and soccer, have made official rule adjustments to create more scoring opportunities, which results in greater excitement for the fans.
It's rare to hear people talk about an exciting or legendary fight that doesn't result in a finish. My personal list of best fights from each weight class does not include one fight that resulted in a decision.
Judging from the poll numbers in the article referenced above, the effects of being associated with boring fights are starting to show.
It's obvious that the UFC plays favorites to fighters they see as marketable (i.e. Brock Lesnar, Forest Griffin, Akiyama) and GSP could be, arguably, their most marketable.
This presents an interesting scenario for the UFC as their most popular champion is now being regarded as a "decision machine".
Considering that GSP hasn't been able to finish his last five opponents (BJ Penn gassing is not really a finish), there's no reason to believe that he'll finish Shields, who has only been finished once in 31 professional fights.
But the UFC needs GSP to finish. And if it's a finish they need, it's a finish they'll get.
I'm not saying GSP will finish Shields legitimately. I'm saying that Shields was brought into the UFC for a reason and that reason will be unveiled this Saturday.
Lauren German Cindy Crawford Mariah OBrien Uma Thurman Alice Dodd
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