Having the backing of a home crowd in four straight fights could make even the best fighter become complacent.
Fortunately for Georges St-Pierre, he’s more advanced psychologically than most great fighters.
GSP enjoyed great support from his fellow Canadians in his last four fights, three of which took place in his home province of Quebec.
While he perhaps drew some extra energy from his home crowd’s support in his last four wins, the benefits of fighting in Canada certainly didn’t make a difference for St-Pierre. Like he always has, GSP won his last four bouts because he prepared more properly than his opponents.
In his next bout in November, St-Pierre’s slated to scrap in Las Vegas, a bout that will mark his first in the United States since besting Dan Hardy at UFC 111 in Newark.
Fans can expect the same cerebral St-Pierre when the 32-year-old Canadian squares off with heavy-handed, two-time former NCAA D-I national champion wrestler Johny Hendricks at UFC 167.
Undoubtedly the most businesslike fighter in the game, St-Pierre has amazingly hit another groove in the twilight of his career, less than two years after a major ACL surgery.
The Tristar Gym product has looked virtually untouchable since August 2007. Just a few months before, GSP experienced a life-altering setback when he got upset by Matt Serra at UFC 69.
St-Pierre was shocked and embarrassed by losing to a perceived inferior fighter in “The Terror,” but it was a loss that forced GSP do some worthwhile soul searching.
Shortly after UFC 69, St-Pierre hooked up with former training partner Firas Zahabi, wisely naming the brilliant fight-mind his head trainer before his next bout with Josh Koscheck at UFC 74.
Zahabi has not only influenced St-Pierre to optimize his intellect in the Octagon, but he’s also helped the Canadian enhance his strength and speed to become the sport’s most dynamic and explosive athlete.
A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and former Canadian Muay Thai champ, Zahabi has guided St-Pierre’s development as the sport’s most cerebral schemer, teaching the Renzo Gracie pupil to develop a style based on control and precise execution.
Instead of fretting over where the fight will take place, St-Pierre and Zahabi will spend most of their training camp preparing to defend Hendricks’ wrestling prowess, venomous left hand and any other threats the dangerous 29-year-old poses.
St-Pierre could lock horns with “Bigg Rigg” in Canada or in Hendricks’ home state of Oklahoma. Regardless of where the fight takes place, fans will see the same meticulous game plan from GSP.
After all, of the 18 wins St-Pierre has secured in the Octagon, he’s only gotten to celebrate five in Canada.
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