Former WEC and Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz has a better chance at defeating his division’s infallible, devastating Dalai Lama-esque kingpin, Georges St-Pierre, than what most people are giving him. Come Super Bowl weekend, fans will finally get to St-Pierre fight his toughest match to date.
Wipe that look off your face, I know what you’re thinking: Another champion-hatin’ troll piece from some disgruntled blogger who wants to see GSP get beat. Before you start the witch hunt, remember that couldn’t be further from the truth.
I’m a longstanding St-Pierre loyal from back in his Mayhem bashing days. I love me some GSP. Years back, my Ipod was home to the viral YouTube remix of “I’m not impressed by your performance” for far too long and I’m currently wheezing over my keyboard in my Under Armour man tights after two and a half brutal rounds of Rush Fit.
Now that I’ve sacrificed my credibility for comedic relief, let’s quickly go over why we should finally believe GSP when he says, “this opponent will be my hardest challenge yet.”
The same wouldn’t have rung true against Carlos Condit, GSP’s replacement opponent before the champ himself had to pull out due to a leg injury. In fact, getting put back on the welterweight shelf was a fortunate outcome for Condit, whether he stepped aside quietly or not.
As a result, Condit is avoiding a premature shot at the title while remaining right in the mix.
Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz was originally slated as the main event for UFC 137 this past weekend until the Stockton “Bad Boy” decided to take a “nap” instead of attending a press conference in Toronto weeks leading up the actual event.
Luckily for Diaz, everything has come full-circle, the stars have aligned and now viewers will be treated to an entertaining, yet perplexing Countdown–wait sorry, it’s GSP, so it’ll be his like eighth Primetime showing—to a contest that will force the current champion to fight, not just outclass and perform.
Unlike GSP’s previous opponents, who all clearly excelled at one aspect of the sport, Diaz has more tools to win, making it more difficult to prepare a game plan to go against him. Also where the Fitchs, Alves and Hardys failed, Diaz will be the first challenger to truly bring the fight to GSP offensively.
There is no one area, with the exception of wrestling, that GSP has a clear advantage over Diaz either.
Even once the Canadian superstar resorts to his takedowns—presumably after trying to escape the Stockton slap, pitter-patter onslaught—Diaz possesses great defense and formidable offense off his back. Of course, from that position Diaz will also have to concern himself with GSP’s only way of finishing the fight: Ground and pound.
Furthermore, Diaz’ claim to fame is his mesmerizing concoction of effective striking, aggression, cardio and indirect mental warfare that tends to flank fans and fighters alike.
If there is any welterweight on the UFC roster who has the ability to get under St-Pierre’s skin, it’s Diaz. We saw how the champ reacted after being called out: He immediately told Dana White how he felt and how bad he wants the fight.
Are we all confident in how an emotional GSP will perform when the stakes are this high?
In addition, GSP lacks knockout power (possible killer instinct too, depending on who you ask) in opposition to Diaz’ ridiculous chin.
As it stands right now on paper, GSP doesn’t match up as well with Diaz like he has with other opponents in the past.
Regardless of what side of the fence you find yourself on in this Shakespearean like conflict between good and evil, this epic matchup already has everybody forgetting about that superfight including Anderson Silva.
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