I didn't get in on this early but I would have picked Monson and GSP.

It was obvious to me that it was GSP's time. What gave him the edge to me was the fact that he is every bit as strong as Hughes, though younger, quicker and more well-rounded. I believe it was Hughes's strength that has allowed him to manhandle nearly everyone he's faced thus far. I knew that wouldn't be the case against GSP.


-John

Something his last two fights illustrated is that he doesn't have as good takedowns as he has hold down ability. GSP got Penn down a lot easier than Hughes did, but when Hughes got Penn down, Penn wasn't standing up almost at will the way he was with GSP. It was a situation where once Hughes had you down he kept you there, and he had good enough takedowns to get the fight down early. GSP and Penn both had the skill and strength to keep it standing when they wanted to, and Hughes didn't have a backup plan.