Author: Riley Kontek

UFC 154 Results: Did GSP’s Performance Live Up to His High Standards?

UFC 154 saw the return of one of the best fighters in the world, Georges St-Pierre. A major knee injury had sidelined the Canadian star for over a year.His return to the Octagon came against a guy that is no walk in the park. That man was Carlos Condit…

UFC 154 saw the return of one of the best fighters in the world, Georges St-Pierre. A major knee injury had sidelined the Canadian star for over a year.

His return to the Octagon came against a guy that is no walk in the park. That man was Carlos Condit.

In looking at GSP‘s performance, he has to be proud of the way he fought. In returning from a major knee injury against a high-quality opponent like Condit, GSP won all five rounds in the eyes of two judges and four in the other (and myself).

Many questioned if his knee would take away from the power takedowns that he is so famous for. They wondered if it would hinder his movement on the feet.

Questions were answered in Montreal, and for GSP, they were good results.

GSP showed he still had the footwork that established his jab. He still had the most relentless takedowns in MMA today.

Simply put, he looked like the best GSP we have seen in a long time.

I cannot state that the performance lived up to GSP‘s standards. I have not personally spoken to him, so I cannot make that statement.

However, in seeing what he did after such a serious injury, one would have to think his performance met his expectations. Sure, his face probably hurts because he took some damage from the ultra-tough Condit.

However, he put on an exciting fight, dominated for the most part and made viewers feel like their pay-per-view/ticket money was cash well spent.

Not only that, he showed that his knee injury was not going to slow him down. A man with his work ethic would not dare bow to such a setback.

GSP has to be pleased with his performance at UFC 154. That was an amazing display of heart, skill and dominance.

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UFC 154: Where Does It Rank Among 2012’s PPV Cards?

UFC 154’s pay-per-view card delivered on most levels and failed on others. It was pretty much how most pay-per-views go in the eyes of fans.Where did it rank among the pay-per-view cards in 2012 though? We started at UFC 142 in 2012 and have gotte…

UFC 154‘s pay-per-view card delivered on most levels and failed on others. It was pretty much how most pay-per-views go in the eyes of fans.

Where did it rank among the pay-per-view cards in 2012 though? 

We started at UFC 142 in 2012 and have gotten all the way to UFC 154. Through these, I will attempt to rank the pay-per-view portions of these cards.

 

 

1. UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson I

2. UFC 146: dos Santos vs. Mir

3. UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar

4. UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes

5. UFC 150: Henderson vs. Edgar II

6. UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit 

7. UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans

8. UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit

9. UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II

10. UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort

11. UFC 147: Silva vs. Franklin II

12. UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao

13. UFC 151: Jones vs. Henderson (cancelled)

 

 

These rankings are interchangeable, but based on memory that is how I am ranking the events.

As you can see, I have UFC 154 ranked at No. 6 out of this year’s pay-per-views so far. The UFC’s first trip to Japan earned top honors, followed by the all heavyweight card at UFC 146, both trips to Brazil and Denver’s UFC 150.

UFC 154 was very good, but it went up against some stiff competition this year. The main event really boosted it above all those under it, as GSP and Carlos Condit really provided fans with a show.

What kept UFC 154 from cracking the top five was a lackluster bout between Francis Carmont and Tom Lawlor, as well as a one-sided, largely forgettable bout between Rafael dos Anjos and Mark Bocek.

Johny Hendricks did his part to lift 154’s status. His knockout of Martin Kampmann was among one of the best pay-per-view knockouts this year. 

Mark Hominick and Pablo Garza’s fun scrap to open the card was also pretty key in UFC 154 finishing just above the middle of the pack.

There have been a couple of disappointing pay-per-view cards this year, such as UFC 147 and 149, as well as a cancelled card that was UFC 151.

All in all, I think UFC 154 was a very good pay-per-view and really earned its spot at No. 6.

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Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit: Full-Fight Technical Breakdown

The welterweight title fight between Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit was a fantastic fight that really went above and beyond the expectations of most fight fans. In looking at a full-fight technical breakdown, it is easy to notice how well the…

The welterweight title fight between Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit was a fantastic fight that really went above and beyond the expectations of most fight fans. 

In looking at a full-fight technical breakdown, it is easy to notice how well these two men matched up. Even though St-Pierre came out with a clean sweep on two of the judge’s scorecards, it really was a great fight.

The first round saw GSP work his strikes from the outside before establishing an often-seen game plan. That game plan put Condit on his back.

GSP went between half guard and full guard, landing some ground-and-pound while Condit fished for a couple of armbar attempts. After they got up, they went right back down and GSP opened up a nice cut over Condit‘s eye. 

It was an easy 10-9 round for GSP.

In the second, GSP established his jab again, proving to be a top weapon for the champion. A failed leg kick attempt by Condit turned into a takedown by GSP. 

More of the same this round, as GSP continued to carve up Condit. Easily a 10-9 round for the Canadian again.

The third round was the only one I scored for Condit. Early on in the round, Condit dropped GSP with a head kick which looked as if it could turn the tide of the fight.

GSP would earn a takedown after the knockdown. He dropped ground-and-pound while Condit continued to be aggressive with submission attempts off his back.

Just based off the damaging head kick, I gave Condit a 10-9 there.

The final two rounds were about the same. GSP won both rounds in my account using his jab and relentless takedowns.

In looking at this fight, wrestling and ground striking were the difference maker for GSP. Condit put on an admirable performance that saw him with his usual aggressive standup and submissions, in combination with his toughness.

Had I been a judge, 49-46 would have been my score. The head kick by Condit was probably the closest the fight was to being stopped, so that is a feather in his cap.

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Georges St-Pierre’s Next Fight: Why It Needs to Be Against Anderson Silva

UFC 154 saw a shakeup in the welterweight division. Not only did Georges St-Pierre defeat top contender Carlos Condit, another contender may have emerged in Johny Hendricks.While many will call for the welterweight champion St-Pierre to defend his titl…

UFC 154 saw a shakeup in the welterweight division. Not only did Georges St-Pierre defeat top contender Carlos Condit, another contender may have emerged in Johny Hendricks.

While many will call for the welterweight champion St-Pierre to defend his title against Hendricks in his next bout, I think that the much-talked-about superfight that has been beating the proverbial dead horse needs to happen next.

It has only been talked about for the last couple of years, and frankly I’m sick of hearing about this hypothetical matchup. Just make it happen already.

Believe me, it is a match myself and many UFC fans want to see. But the more we talk about it and the less it materializes, the more annoying it has become.

The UFC is a business based on pay-per-view sales, merchandising and ticket sales. One would have to think a St-Pierre-Silva superfight would be way more profitable for the company than a St-Pierre-Hendricks pay-per-view.

Of course, Hendricks would get his shot in due time. I am sure there are many people (like myself) who believe St-Pierre-Hendricks would be another GSP-Koscheck or GSP-Fitch matchup that we have seen in the past, which were complete dominations.

Silva is undefeated in the UFC and has had trouble getting credible opponents throughout his career. Although Chris Weidman is on deck for him, the youngster could benefit from taking a fight in the meantime in preparation for the biggest test of his career.

This fight would test Silva’s counter-wrestling against one of the best MMA-based wrestlers in the world. It would test St-Pierre’s chin and striking, taking on the most dynamic, deadly striker in the world.

Obviously the weight difference would play a factor, but I am sure they could figure something out. It just needs to happen next at a place like Cowboys Stadium.

That would contend for the biggest UFC event of all time.

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Best Moments from UFC 110-120

Bleacher Report’s “Best Moments” series continues with a look at some of the biggest moments in UFC history.Following some of the greatest moments in the history of the UFC during the 100-110 period, UFC 110-120 did not disappoint with the amount of am…

Bleacher Report’s “Best Moments” series continues with a look at some of the biggest moments in UFC history.

Following some of the greatest moments in the history of the UFC during the 100-110 period, UFC 110-120 did not disappoint with the amount of amazing moments it had. Legends like Matt Hughes and Mauricio Rua gave us great memories, as did young guns such as Court McGee and John Howard.

Here are the previous installments of this series.

The Best Moments from UFC 1-10

The Best Moments from UFC 10-20

The Best Moments from UFC 20-30

The Best Moments from UFC 30-40

The Best Moments from UFC 40-50

The Best Moments from UFC 50-60

The Best Moments from UFC 60-70

The Best Moments from UFC 70-80

The Best Moments from UFC 80-90

The Best Moments from UFC 90-100

The Best Moments from UFC 100-110

Here are the best moments from this period.

Begin Slideshow

UFC 154: Top 3 Favorites to Win Fight of the Night

The return of Georges St. Pierre is upon us and with that comes great expectations from fans. Will they see the GSP of old or will we see a new, evolved version coming off his major knee injury.From top to bottom, UFC 154 is stacked. You have some big …

The return of Georges St. Pierre is upon us and with that comes great expectations from fans. Will they see the GSP of old or will we see a new, evolved version coming off his major knee injury.

From top to bottom, UFC 154 is stacked. You have some big name fighters, but for the most part you have under-the-radar talent that will go out and gun for that “Fight of the Night” bonus.

Here are the three favorites to cash that “Fight of the Night” check.

 

 

Sam Stout vs. John Makdessi


Every time you put two dynamic strikers that can take a punch in the Octagon with one another, you have yourself a top contender for that post-fight bonus.

Both Sam Stout and John Makdessi have a great arsenal of strikes in their respective repertoires. While Makdessi uses more flashy techniques, Stout uses technical striking on the outside to fluster opponents.

I guarantee that head kicks, spinning back fists and other fun strikes will be thrown in this fight, and some may land. Fans will be even more into this fight because it is two Canadians squaring off trying to steal the show.

I don’t know if a knockout will follow, but whatever happens, this is bound to be an awesome fight.

 

 

Patrick Cote vs. Alessio Sakara


Speaking of great striking battles, the feature bout on the preliminary card between Patrick Cote and Alessio Sakara has the chance to be a barn burner. It may not be the longest fight in the world, but it will be good nevertheless.

Think of Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley. That fight only lasted a round, but it was a fight of the night performance and even got looked upon as the fight of the year in most cases.

Both Cote and Sakara have powerful striking. They will stand in the pocket and look to knock each others heads off. 

The key here is Cote’s chin. He can take a punch way better than Sakara can, which makes this even more intriguing to see if the Italian can break through the Canadian’s chin.

This may also have “Knockout of the Night” implications. Either way, this is definitely a top candidate for “Fight of the Night.”

 

 

Georges St. Pierre vs. Carlos Condit


Yes, believe it or not, but the fight between GSP and Carlos Condit has “Fight of the Night” implications. This is because Condit poses the biggest threat to GSP in a very long time.

Condit has the outright aggressiveness with his striking that can make GSP uncomfortable. However, people must remember that GSP is very sound on his feet and will use his quickness and jab to keep Condit at bay.

If GSP gets Condit down, it will be fun to watch. Condit has a tricky guard to deal with, but GSP is the best MMA-based wrestler in the welterweight division.

It will be a five-round chess match, but it will be an intriguing one that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Whatever the outcome, I think this could definitely earn “Fight of the Night” honors.

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