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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