UFC 158: Five Friday Questions


1.  WILL GSP ENGAGE WITH DIAZ ON THE FEET?
We've seen the emergence of GSP's jab- as Josh Koscheck can attest- but what about the rest of his striking arsenal?  Has he added any wrinkles to his striking game that he plans to unveil to prove he can also come forward non-stop?  Most assume GSP will limit the amount of time they spend on their feet, but maybe GSP has other plans for the mouthy Stockton striker.

2.  ARE WE DISCOUNTING THE GRACIE BJJ BLACK BELT IN THIS FIGHT?
With so much focus on the indefatigable boxing game of Nick Diaz, his superb submission game gets overlooked.  Knowing GSP's strategy will likely rely on taking Diaz down and keeping him there, how will Diaz fight off his back?  And with the amount of time GSP spends smothering his opponents on the ground, won't that mean even more opportunities for Diaz to throw up his legs for an arm bar or kimura?

3.  IS HENDRICKS TWO-DIMENSIONAL?
We know about his one-punch knockout power and his top-notch wrestling game, but is there more to Hendricks?  Can he put together fight combinations?  What about kicks?  BJJ?  Condit truly mixes his martial arts, but will Hendricks mix them for this fight?

4.  CAN CONDIT FLIP THE TABLES AND FINISH HENDRICKS?
We've seen the Fitch and Kampmann knockout highlights in every single promo but little has been shown regarding some of Condit's finishes like Rory MacDonald, Dan Hardy and Dong Hyun Kim.  Everyone has focused on the way Condit "ran away" from Diaz when he tried to exchange- so much so that we forget Condit finishes fights when he gets a chance

5.  WHICH MARQUARDT SHOWS UP?
Going into any Jake Ellenberger match, you have a pretty good idea what he's bringing to the Octagon.  Nate Marquardt?  It's hard to say for the former King of Pancrase.  Marquardt fought in the very last match of Strikeforce history and harmed  his reputation with a flavorless performance.  But when he finished Tyrone Woodley to win the Strikeforce welterweight title in his previous fight, he looked ready to headline UFC events.  Which guy shows up?

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