Can someone give me a technical breakdown on Alves?

**Dr. Sleepless** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 2:07am

And why anybody thinks that Alves can beat GSP?

I just don't see any kind of advantage that Alves has on him.

**hpr** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 3:41am

Well, supposedly he kicks hard. Maybe GSP doesn't know how to check kicks? ;)

**selfcritical** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 9:03am

Or use his 6 inch reach advantage to go-go-gadget jab and set up shots.

**Hesperus** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 10:22am

GSP is going to pop a huge hype bubble.

**MMAMickey** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 10:31am

to be fair though Alves does have big power in punches and knees, and GSP has been caught before by Serra who, on a completely unrelated note looks a bit like a turtle.

**Dr. Sleepless** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 10:44am

Originally Posted by MMAMickey

to be fair though Alves does have big power in punches and knees, and GSP has been caught before by Serra who, on a completely unrelated note looks a bit like a turtle.

Yeah, I've seen that he's got huge power in his punches. But people are acting as if Pierre isn't like the best welterweight in the world or something.

I've got $50 riding on GSP winning. Other than a slight reach advantage, GSP either matches or betters (mostly betters) Alves in just about every area. I don't know much about Alves, but from the videos I've seen, it's mostly that Alves has a lot of power, but hardly any technique. GSP has a lot of power but a lot of technique. GSP's wrestling is better than Alves' as is his striking.

So... I dunno. He still has a puncher's chance.

**Phrost** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 11:10am

One of GSP's main strengths is just that: he's stronger than most of the guys he faces. Alves might be a good bit stronger, and this could tip the balance.

Or not.

**Dr. Sleepless** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 11:44am

I see that. I think Alves might actually be stronger than GSP, but GSP is far more skilled than him.

**selfcritical** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 11:54am

According to a radio interview that I listening to, before the water cut they were walking around within 2lbs of each other. I think the strength differential is being overplayed here a bit. Nothing i've seen indicates that Alves is more physically powerful than Jon (I'm a goddamn terminator) Fitch.

**Fighting Cephalopod** · Posted On: 7/11/2009 12:51pm

Originally Posted by Sirc

I don't know much about Alves, but from the videos I've seen, it's mostly that Alves has a lot of power, but hardly any technique. GSP has a lot of power but a lot of technique. GSP's wrestling is better than Alves' as is his striking.

Alves has some serious technical deficiencies in his defense but if you think GSP has better technical striking than him you need to watch more fights.

And while GSP's wrestling is certainly better overall than Alves, Koschek took GSP down more often than he was able to take down Alves, so I don't think GSP is necessarily going to have an easy time getting Alves to the ground.

I don't think Alves is going to win but you obviously haven't seen much of him and your assessment of his striking is way off.