The P Stands For Postponed

Before UFC 62 is even in the books, the main event for UFC 63 has drastically changed, and so too has the face of the UFC welterweight division.

GSP has withdrawn from his title fight with Matt Hughes, and been replaced by BJ Penn. Hopefully this doesn't mean that GSP has lost his title shot. GSP has definitely earned a shot, but I'm concerned that this setback will send him to the back of the line.

Unfortunately, thats exactly what happened with Karo Parisyan, who was set to fight Hughes for the welterweight title, but a hamstring injury forced him out. Parisyan saw his title shot go to Joe "Diesel" Riggs, then saw the match become non-title when Riggs didn't make weight. Since then, Karo has been trying to work his way back up the welterweight ranks. That was definitely stalled when Karo lost to Dirty Diego Sanchez at the recent Ultimate Fight Night. That fight definitely boosted Sanchez up the ranks, but probably didn't do anything for Karo.

Does the same fate lay in store for GSP? Hopefully not. Thankfully, there is an interesting situation that should help GSP, beyond the fact that UFC is obviously banking on GSP as a fighter of the future.

BJ Penn, who is taking GSP's place, holds a victory over Matt Hughes. Penn can also lay claim to the fact that he was never beaten for the Welterweight title that Hughes currently holds. This match between Hughes and Penn should provide some closure to that argument. Penn, however, has only one loss on his UFC record, that being a split decision loss to none other than GSP. So logically (which isn't necessarily a word that applies to the UFC, or any fighting organization for that matter) regardless of who wins at UFC 63, GSP should be in line for a title fight. Hughes was supposed to face GSP, and should be willing to do so again. And Penn should be looking to avenge his loss to GSP. So either way, GSP should still be at the top of the heap for a title match.

But that heap is growing. Diego Sanchez is obviously now being looked at as a serious welterweight contender. Joe Riggs is looking more impressive, and Karo Parisyan can't be counted out. My biggest concern is that Dana will decide that GSP should face one of those three before getting his fight with whomever holds the welterweight title. I'm not saying I don't think GSP could/would/should win, just that nothing can be taken for granted.

One final note about GSP and his injury. In his Ultimate Fight Night preview, Mike Coughlin noted that "Parisyan lost his title shot due to an injury. This is something of which the UFC should be ashamed. It sets a dangerous precedent. Fighters will likely start hiding injuries, more so than professionals already do, knowing that they’ve only got “one chance.” Guys with incredibly serious injuries may even fight, fearing that if they don’t who knows what will happen. With MMA dangerous enough as it is, the last thing the sport needs are broken fighters competing. This sort of thing is what will likely lead to the first serious injury in the UFC. If Karo was in line for a title shot, then his getting injured should do absolutely nothing to alter that fact. He should not have to be fighting for a chance that the UFC has already admitted, by booking him to fight Hughes back in November, that he earned."

I can't agree more. Its not only unfair that Karo lost his title shot, but a black eye on the UFC. Rumours about GSP's injury started surfacing a few days ago, but his camp appeared reluctant to make any announcements regarding the severity of the injury, and GSP's status in the fight. But the incident with Karo's title fight raises the question, was the reluctance and reticence from the GSP camp simply a result of waiting for a more definite answer as to the serverity of the injury, or was it a result of GSP not wanting to lose his title fight? Obviously GSP's injury must be pretty serious if, a month before the fight he has to withdraw. Did GSP negotiate a deal with UFC where he would withdraw from the fight and give the UFC plenty of time to not only find a replacement, but also to promote that fight properly?

UFC now has the next four or five episodes of TUF4 and this Saturday's PPV to promote the Penn/Hughes fight. Not only that, but they have plenty of time to quickly prepare some UFC All Access and Unleashed specials designed to promote the fight, and the backstory behind Hughes/Penn and all the accompanying controversies. These will obviously be spun in a McMahon-esque manner, but should prove entertaining and mildly informative nonetheless.

By withdrawing so early, GSP has done the UFC a big favour, one that could have positive benefits for the company. Fans have been clamouring for the Penn/Hughes rematch since Penn's return, and this injury provides them the opportunity to capitalize on that before either of the men loses any of their lustre. And with a challenger waiting in the wings for the victor, as well as a host of other eager would-be title holders, it would seem that the welterweight division just got a lot more interesting.