GSP vs Diaz: What’s at Stake for Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158?

Georges St-Pierre has won nine straight UFC title fights. He’ll look for his 10th against enemy Nick Diaz at UFC 158 on Saturday.Despite all St-Pierre’s accolades and the big fights he’s taken part in over the years, we’ve never seen the welterwei…

Georges St-Pierre has won nine straight UFC title fights. 

He’ll look for his 10th against enemy Nick Diaz at UFC 158 on Saturday.

Despite all St-Pierre’s accolades and the big fights he’s taken part in over the years, we’ve never seen the welterweight champion act as he has in the lead-up to this matchup. St-Pierre has a serious problem with Diaz or else he wouldn’t be fighting the challenger who is coming off of back-to-back losses and a year-long absence from competition. 

For once, that makes a St-Pierre fight about something other than legacy. The Canadian’s pride is on the line in this bout.

St-Pierre asked for Diaz as an opponent in an effort to silence the controversial contender once and for all. Should he lose on Saturday, St-Pierre will never hear the end of his decision to plead for an opponent who most felt was undeserving of a shot at the belt in comparison to a surging welterweight like Johny Hendricks.

There is the potential for a superfight with Anderson Silva that would give St-Pierre a chance to solidify himself as the greatest fighter in MMA history. However, that goal is being put on hold for this clash with Diaz at UFC 158.

Finally, St-Pierre appears to have let go of the pressure attached to defending his legacy and is now focused more on protecting his ideals and reputation as a fighter not willing to back down from a challenge.

Could that mean a more aggressive and hungry St-Pierre?

We’ll have to wait until late on Saturday night to find out just how angry the champion is with Diaz

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