Not even a torn ACL and a 19-month layoff is enough to keep Georges St-Pierre down. The arguably best pound-for-pound fighter in the world returned to the Octagon at UFC 154 to defeat Carlos Condit and become the undisputed welterweight champion on Saturday night in Montreal.
The fight went the distance before St-Pierre earned a victory via unanimous decision. The two fighters went back and forth, trading blows and blood for five rounds, but the officials handed the defending champion the fight in the end.
St-Pierre’s win looked like it could be in jeopardy after taking a Condit kick to the head in the third round, but he used his wrestling and grappling ability to take home the victory.
One of the most anticipated main events of the year, St-Pierre and Condit was truly a pick ’em fight.
St-Pierre has the long, storied resume and the reputation as one of the greatest fighters in the history of mixed martial arts.
Condit, on the other hand, doesn’t get nearly the credit he deserves in the mainstream, though that can be attributed to the fact he isn’t as big a star as St-Pierre. Condit came into this fight with a 28-5 career record with even split between knockouts and submissions (13). He defeated Nick Diaz to become the interim champion back in February.
St-Pierre had his back up against the wall in a way that we haven’t seen since his last loss, against Matt Serra in 2007. It has been five years since St-Pierre has really been tested. Remember, St-Pierre had a long streak of not losing a round up until his fight with Jake Shields at UFC 129.
But the knee injury and layoff left questions about what kind of fighting shape St-Pierre was going to be in. As he does whenever he steps in the Octagon, St-Pierre put all the skeptics to rest with this performance.
No one can doubt St-Pierre’s ability ever again. He has handled virtually every test, both physically and mentally, thrown in his direction for five years and come out the other side with flying colors.
With Condit out of the picture, all the talk is going to turn toward the St-Pierre vs. Anderson Silva superfight that has been talked about for two years. Many obstacles stand in the way, and like Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather, you can’t believe it will happen until a deal is signed.
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