Who is the greater champion GSP or Frankie Edgar? Let’s examine how both champions reacted when pushed to their limits. What was the high water mark for both champions?
Case Study, GSP VS. Matt Serra I
GSP was the highly favored champion defending his title against the undersized challenger Matt Serra. Serra catches GSP with a two punch combination that ultimately ends with the TKO of the champion. Serra had GSP in trouble for approximately 32 seconds before the fight was stopped. During those 32 seconds GSP was unable to mount any kind of counter attack or defense.
Case Study, Edgar VS. Maynard II
Edgar the undersized champion enters the fight as the odds underdog. Most betting sites had Maynard at -140 and Edgar at +120. In Edgar-Maynard I, Maynard totally dominated Edgar in route to a victory. In Edgar-Maynard II the general consensus was that the bigger and stronger Maynard would take Edgar down and grind out a win.
Early in round one Maynard catches Edgar with a solid left hook that puts Edgar onto ***** street. Somehow Edgar not only survives the round but fights Maynard to a draw. The focus of this article is not how the fight ended rather how Edgar reacted when he was on the verge of a catastrophic loss. I’d love to know what Edgar was thinking while he was be thrashed by Maynard. Did the thought of losing or quitting ever enter his mind? I’ve always believed that the greatest champions, when faced with losing situations will somehow pull victory from the jaws of defeat.
Many fans believe the loss GSP suffered at the hands of Matt Serra forced GSP to change his style. Since the loss to Serra, GSP has use wrestling extensively to take his opponents down. The fans have been quite harsh in criticizing GSP as a “boring” fighter. Frankie used to get the same criticism. Not anymore.
A true champion thrives in a clutch situation. I think this quote by Michael Jordan sums it up; “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."
GSP VS. Matt Serra I, GSP did not make it happen. Edgar VS. Maynard II, Edgar made it happen. Not only did Edgar survive a clutch situation he thrived in it. If Frankie beats Maynard in the final stanza of the trilogy and goes on to beat Pettis, Edgar could go down as one of the greatest champions ever.
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