170 lbs: Welterweight Title Fight – Georges St. Pierre vs. Dan Hardy
Main Event Odds: (-650 St. Pierre / +450 Hardy)
In the main event of the evening, Welterweight champion Georges “Rush” St. Pierre will put his title on the line against tough as nails British slugger Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy. Hardy is one of the premier strikers in the division, but top-level wrestlers have been unable to stop St. Pierre’s relentless takedown game, and Hardy is not known for his takedown defense or ground game, so he is going to have his hands full in this one.
Hardy, a dominant kickboxer with dynamite in his hands, has a chance of knocking out pretty much anyone in the world if he starts landing shots. Unfortunately for him, though, that is pretty much the only chance he stands in this fight. The fact that he is getting a shot at all is more a testament to how thoroughly St. Pierre has cleaned out the top of the division than it is to Hardy’s UFC record which, although unblemished, does not feature any opponents on the very top level. If he wants to beat St. Pierre he has to throw his hands with abandon and hope to land early, hard, and often.
St. Pierre, stylistically, is the worst matchup possible for Hardy. His standup is actually very good, although not as powerful as Hardy’s, but it is certainly good enough for him to defend himself. More importantly, though, he is the most dominant wrestler in the sport, and even other dominant wrestlers and top jiu-jitsu fighters have been completely overwhelmed by his takedowns and his grinding style from top position. St. Pierre can be hurt with punches, as he was against Matt Serra, but ever since that loss he has looked unwilling to stand and trade with anyone, taking fights down early and often and doing his damage on top.
Hardy is a great striker, but he is easily overmatched in this fight. There is no way he will stop St. Pierre’s takedowns, and no way he will manage to get out from under St. Pierre. This one is going to be ugly. Hardy will manage to hang around for a few rounds, but eventually St. Pierre will do enough damage to get this one stopped.
Prediction: And still champion Georges “Rush” St. Pierre via third round T/KO.
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