He is definitely well-respected, in well-repute, and a celebrity; however, he would have more of these things were he American. My favorite quote from a sportscaster is, "Americans will watch sports they care nothing about just to see if an American is winning". This can be seen in [say] Tennis, where you have two of the greatest players to ever live - Nadal and Federer - whose battles still receiving less mainstream coverage than Sampras and Agassi, despite their superior play and historical significance.However, GSP is established and well known, and I don't know if I can yet sign off on innate preferences, having a notable influence on how much respect GSP receives, as an established celebrity.
No, I definitely agree, but this is only of late, and after a [comparatively] greater set of achievements than, say, Chuck Liddell. For whatever reason, people tend to disrespect French Canadians, mostly because their attitude, accent and demeanor is so affable. [see: your friend that hates GSP for nothing more than his Van-Damme-esque accent.] Consider his reign since A. Silva came into the UFC, S.Secondly, and this is anecdotal, so the validity of this example is of course questionable. Anyone I've ever held an MMA conversation with, friends and strangers alike, either have GSP described as the top dog of his division, pound for pound in the UFC, unstoppable or some form of utter reverence. I don't know how our media portrays him, but as far as "the people," I've yet to meet someone who doesn't have GSP placed in the top 3 of deadliest and most dominant fighters. I consider that plenty of reputation and respect. However, as I mentioned, this is anecdotal to my experience and my surroundings.
Over a span of nine fights, and twenty-nine rounds, GSP has lost - depending on the judge you speak to - two rounds [!]: the TKO loss to Matt Serra, and a round [...or two...] to BJ Penn. Of those nine fights, five were against current or former champions - BJ Penn [x2], Hughes [x2], Serra [x1] - and each of his opponents, aside from Serra, was ranked as one of the top three WWs in the world [not just the UFC]. And since GSP began dominating - say, after Hughes I - he has cleared one of the most dominant divisions in MMA history, in respects to sheer talent. (The only division that really compares is PRIDE HW division from 2003-R.I.P., with Hunt, Cro-Cop, Nog, Barnett, Coleman, Randleman, and, of course, Fee-aye-Dyor.) Beyond a doubt, this is one of the most dominant streaks in MMA history, and he is only now being considered in that top three by the casual fan - as you know, true fans have known this for years. That is more or less what I meant: a relative comparison of achievement to fame.
Man, writing that makes me want to write a, "Silva v., GSP: By the Numbers" article, really comparing how stratospherically more dominant GSP has been than the Spider. (In his reign, Spider has lost rounds against Henderson, Lutter, and Cote, has faced only two former champions, and several of his opponents were not ranked in the top five MW rankings; and this is in addition to the MW division of the UFC being the sickly brother.)
And no, he would never be Tiger Woods status. That wasn't my point, though! :lol::duel: