The best wrestler in MMA isn't even a wrestler?

Question

The best wreslter in MMA isn't even a wrestler?

I'm talking about GSP. He had no wrestling background but his wrestling skills are among the best in MMA. His takedowns sensational. How does a guy without the H.S. and college wrestling credentials prove to be one of the best wrestlers? I know he trains with the Canadian team but still come on is it not sensational & unbelievable how good his wrestling is for his specific background?

Answer 1

GSP is just really athletic and he's a quick learner which helps him adapt to his opponents fighting style in the middle of a fight.

Answer 2

I would agree with a few other people in that GSP is the best MMA effective wrestler. There are people in MMA that are better wrestlers than GSP, Couture, Hendo, Lindlan come to mind. GSP combines the rest of his MMA game and his insane athletic ability to be the best MMA effective wrestler though. He has completely dominated on his takedowns and takedown defense. Im sure the stats are out there but I cant remember that last time someone stopped one of his takedown attempts, or someone else took him down. The guy is a freak. As far as the other great wrestlers, they have not been able to get people down on occasion, Hendo couldnt really control Silva, and Couture couldnt control Liddell. I have yet to see a guy GSP cant get down.

Answer 3

Well if you or I or anybody had the athletic gifts that St.Pierrre has, and we had the access to national team coaches and sparring partners, and we had the time to train that he does, we would likely be sensational as well.  

I don't think you have to have a childhood background in a sport to go into it, learn it, and be good at it.  I do think you have to have the athleticism and the ability and willingness to learn.

Liddell actually does have a wrestling background, he just doesn't use it as much in his fights, but it explains why Couture couldn't control him.  Wanderlei Silva similarly has a BJJ blackbelt, but doesn't use it much in his fights either.

Answer 4

after reading im wondering if this was even a question or a statement...but i cant really disagree or agree 100%...

I guess when you look at GSP vs koscheck you see GSP dominate a credible wrestler...your point however i will agree with 100% IF GSP can control Fitch on the mat...

Although i do agree he is a sensational fighter and fun to watch...

Answer 5

It is because he has superb strength. Mix that with his pure atheletism and you get an excellent shot. And his ground work is so good because his strength allows hims him to control his opponent's movement.

Answer 6

They say there is a diffrence between conventional wrestling and wrestling for MMA. GSP has great MMA wrestling. He is a gifted athlete, which is probably why he had no problem picking it up. I've seen people who have never boxed a day in their lives put on a pair of gloves and completely dominate people with years of experience. With God-given talent, a lot of things are possible.

Answer 7

It is amazing but think about it.... it would be like starting a job you didn't know anything about the person can train you how they want you to do it not the way you are accustom to normally doing.  In GSP's case this worked out well for him because he didn't have any background, none of this I do it may way or no way he has a wide variety of stuff he can be shown.

Answer 8

um, your wrong. he actually tried out for the team. he didn't make it (he was also training to fight Hughes). yes he trains with them but not for the olympics. remember that matt lindland is an olympic silver medalist AND dan henderson is an olympic wrestler AND they both say randy couture is better than them in tecnique and skill. so is he the best no. but he is the fastest learner and most athletic bar none

Answer 9

your right i did a report on him in school. he learned it at 19 as an mma artist. hes great and my favorite fighter in the ufc

Answer 10

I wouldn't call him the best wrestler in MMA, but he is d**n good.

I mean I would consider Randy Couture, Matt Lindland, and Urijah Faber as some of the top wrestlers in MMA, certainly as ones that have made their style of wrestling incredibly effective in a MMA settting.

If you are talking about his wrestling vs. Koscheck, I would point out that GSP is a good bit bigger and stronger than Koscheck, that combined with some wrestling ability would give a good wrestler fits.

Also GSP is a spectacular athlete, he does a pretty significant amount of weight cutting to get to the division he fights in, and in most cases it is striking and over all game that is a cause for his success. Plus he gameplans very well for people. His wrestling is really just now getting there, keeping in mind he has been training in MMA for over six years, and was wrestling before that. It isn't like he just picked it up, he has been doing it for a while.

But yes I agree he is ever surpising and I do find it amazing his wrestling ability despite having lack of solid wrestling pedigree.

Answer 11

It is amazing how someone can just pick it up and become one of the top in that area.  I guess it would just be a natural talent.  It would have to be.  Like Andre Arlovski, he was strictly Sambo in the beginning of his career and became one of the top stand up fighters in the heavyweight division.  And GSP with his wrestling.  I wish I had talent like that.  It makes for a great fighter when their natural talent is not part of their background.