Coach: I think GSP ok to start camp in Aug
by Stephie “Crooklyn” Daniels | Source | bloodyelbow.com
Stephie Daniels: Is Georges training at 100% right now, or is there still some rehab going on?
Firas Zahabi: Structurally, I think his knee is 100%. Of course the timing on his sparring is not 100% and the confidence in the knee is not 100% and the coordination, moving around on that knee is not 100%. For the last eight months, he’s been over-compensating on one side, moving a particular way, and now we’re trying to get him to move again like he used to.
It’s going to take some time, but I tell you, Georges is a great athlete. He’s been making leaps and bounds in the gym. He’s progressing and every sparring session he’s doing better and better. I really think in August, he’ll be ready to start a training camp again. I don’t want to count my eggs before they hatch, but he’s really looking good.
SD: : How long has he been back in the gym?
FZ: He just started martial arts training, it’s been about four weeks now. I’m talking like sparring and wrestling and moving around. After not sparring or wrestling for eight months, that first month is hard, but I think it went smoothly.
SD: What do you think about the criticism that Georges gets for fighting too cautious due to Greg Jackson’s guidance?
FZ: I think that’s not true. If you look at who wins the most fight of the nights and submission of the night and knockout of the night, Greg is up there. His fighters are the ones with the most bonuses. I think it’s just that when you’re as big as Greg is, you’re going to get criticism, because a lot of people are going to dislike you. If you look at it statistically, he’s one of the most successful winning and bonus coaches around. I really don’t see how anybody can scrutinize him so much.