Monday’s episode of “Training Day: Inside Tristar Gym Live” on FUEL TV was an inside look at how the Montreal gym operates on a typical afternoon. Of course, Tristar’s most famous fighters, Georges St-Pierre and Rory MacDonald, were featured as they prepare for upcoming fights.
But in the middle of the show, a familiar Mohawk unexpectedly popped up. It belonged to UFC welterweight Dan Hardy, who, according to Tristar head coach Firas Zahabi, is helping St-Pierre for his upcoming title fight against Carlos Condit.
“He’s a special guest this week to spar with Georges,” Zahabi said. “He fought Condit. When he was fighting Condit, it was neck-and-neck. Yes, he got stopped by Condit, but I think it was one inch away from being the other way around. It was very close — extremely close fight — and I think he’s a very good look for us to see what it’s going to like when Georges fights Condit.”
Condit knocked out Hardy in the first round of their UFC 120 fight two years ago.
“The Outlaw” actually visited Tristar last year to help GSP prepare for a Condit fight scheduled for UFC 137, however, that fight never happened due to GSP’s knee injury. Seeing Hardy train at Tristar was interesting considering he lost to St-Pierre in a welterweight title fight at UFC 111 over two years ago.
“We click,” Zahabi said. “He’s a great guy. We get along very well personally.”
Zahabi told host Kenny Florian that other notable fighters in town to help St-Pierre prepare for Condit’s striking were Tom “Kong” Watson and rising prospect Brandon Thatch.
St-Pierre meets Condit in the main event of UFC 154 on Nov. 17, in Montreal, to determine the promotion’s undisputed welterweight champion.
An encore presentation of “Training Day: Inside Tristar Gym Live” airs Monday night at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT.