Yah, I am looking at Chael from 2009 to 2012 when he went on his title run and went through guys like Okami, Nate, Bisping etc. It was always submission defense that got him vs guys like Filho, Maia, Horn etc while he was on top. I think GSP no doubt has the skills to sub Chael, but I just wonder if the size would play a factor where he would power out of it being the bigger man. Chael from 2009 onward gained some mass.
Certainly gained some mass and overal physicalitty since started taking PEDs in 2008 (according to him, and seems pretty open about the matter).
That wasnt the reason for him not getting sub though
- Acquired better BJJ fundamentals under Fabiano "Pega leve" since around that time too
- Okami, Marquardt, Bisping or Stan are not even close the sub threats Maia, Filho or Horn are off their back
Nate had a very tight one (Sonnen says he went out for a moment)
Sonnen's "enhanced" superior physicality played a big role in fights with bloated WWs as Miller and Okami (Nate was on PEDs too)
His fight with Bisping was very close but I though he lost. So did Chael himself:
I dont think GSP has the skills to sub Chael - he is not Maila, Filho or Horn neither - but he could beat him by superior standup and mix it up with shots. Maybe open a sub with strikes as he did to Bisping.
I'd expect GSP to beat any of the MWs that lost to Chael, maybe even more handly
I'd favour GSP vs any MW around 2009 except Anderson. Maybe Henderson, Belfort and Machida in case they dropped to 185
There was higher risk fighting 185lbers though, and GSP is arguably the most conservative and cautious champion we have had, no doubt among the GOAT contenders