LARMORE wrote:
The meaning of "respect" in the context of Lesnar's message is not the Tank Abbott meaning to it that people are spinning it to be; Brock means that he doesn't focus too much on an opponent's strengths during a fight. For example, GSP respected Matt Hughes in their first fight, and got submitted. Other fighters have said the same exact thing, but in different and better terms. Then again, Lesnar could (and has) spell it out, and some would STILL hate him regardless.
Dude, Brock Lesnar is not a "respectful" fighter in pretty much any basic sense of the word. He doesn't bow, doesn't shake hands, doesn't congratulate a beaten fighter. And he talks as much shit as the next guy.
Don't confuse that with me disliking him. Personally, I'm one of the people that DOES like him; I'm enjoying the "theater" he brings. As a fan and someone who trains in MMA, I can understand the traditionalists and the purists point of view, but to me there isn't anything wrong with bringing some showmanship. I like it. To me, you don't have to choose between a Harley and a GSXR1000. The purists want one or the other. I say "both"! Solid elite level athleticism, respectability brought on by good doctors, good referees, good judges, etc. But also some flair, some shit-talking and some showmanship.
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He knows how to throw a real punch; he knocked Herring and Couture both on their asses with a punch.
He hasn't fully developed a stand-up game yet, but neither has Matt Hughes, and yet he still manages to carve out a successful career for himself. Although he probably should develop a good game, Lesnar's best weapon is ground and pound, and it's going to keep Lesnar winning.
Unless his opponent also has a strong wrestling background (i.e. Couture, and hopefully Carwin in the future), he will have no real problems. The moment Lesnar gets you to the ground, it is bad news.
Oh, I know he is capable of knocking people on their ass. He pounded out Couture as you stated. But he will never reach his true potential unless he gets under a good boxing coach in my opinion. Matt Hughes you mentioned. What happened when he faced GSP? He got outboxed, and his only tool in the box was constantly attempting a takedown which GSP stuffed forever. Had Hughes had the ability to box, he would have been something closer to what GSP is to this day: a completely rounded fighter. Brock Lesnar can get by on strength and hammer fists for the time being, but when he squares off against someone that can punch hard and fast, he will lose.
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Nothing wrong with showmanship. There are plenty of MMA fighters who are showmen, but Lesnar only gets heat because he is the most successful and famous pro-wrestler who ever stepped into a UFC octagon. He went overboard in knocking Bud Light, but otherwise, I had absolutely no problem whatsoever with his antics againt Mir.
Agreed on all points. I actually thought the Bud Light thing was pretty funny, although I'm sure everyone in the UFC must have shit bricks.
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I too would like to see another Lesnar vs. Mir fight, because nothing would be better than seeing Lesnar beat Mir's ass for a third time. The main thing Mir needs to do in the next/final fight is to spend less time running off at the mouth, and more time figuring out a gameplan to beat Godzilla again. I do not blame Lesnar for treating Mir like he did after the fight, and I certainly wouldn't have blamed Matt Hughes if he acted differently after the fight with Serra. One can only talk so much shit until it goes overboard, and Mir went overboard with it.
You know, if there is one thing that really disappointed me about Mir this time around, it is that he didn't keep his mouth shut. He should have taken a page from Hendo (Vs. Bisping) and just done his thing in the ring. In that case, if he lost he still would have had some fan support.
