There are certain intangibles that exist in the mixed martial arts world.
In order to be the man, you have to beat the man. Legacies cement legendary status. There are an infinite amount of other cliches that exist, but that doesn’t make them any less true.
For Georges St. Pierre, he is well regarded by everyone as a gentleman and embodies the true definition of what a martial artist should be. However, his legacy is still left wanting. It could be a while before we forget that the reigning UFC welterweight champion was outgunned by the pasta-loving New Yorker in Matt Serra, who throttled the Canadian for his 170-pound strap back in 2007.
It’s a bout four years in the books, but it’s a pattern that became apparent as early as 2004, when GSP was pitted against his idol in Matt Hughes in just his third UFC appearance. Georges, then just a prospect in the sport, threw away a fight he was winning be succumbing to an ill fated armbar in the waning moments of the first-round.
Granted, St. Pierre avenged both those losses in dominant fashion—Hughes twice over just for good measure—but even in his last victory over Jake Shields, did his ugly tendencies leer their weary head again.
Shovel punches scored for St. Pierre early, but he went to the well one too many times, abandoning any appropriate combinations that would present themselves thereon out. An errant punch that caught Georges in the eye had him even more shell-shocked, leading him to entertain a poorly executed kickboxing bout in which Jake Shields was gaining the upper hand in some spots. This is also the same Jake Shields who has relied solely on his jiu-jitsu background to secure all of his victories, which should tell you how effective his striking is overall.
It’s St. Pierre’s smooth transitions from striking to grappling that leave most fighters unable to engage in a way that would threaten the 30-year-old Quebecer, and for that reason, he’s the best.
There are also fewer men that would throw themselves in the line of fire if it means potential victory. Nick Diaz, the former Strikeforce welterweight champion, is the exception. While Shields is lauded for his jiu-jitsu prowess, Diaz comes a very close second to his teammate and friend, however, falls short on the sort of wrestling acumen that has complimented Jake’s game all these years.
His inability to take opponents to the mat at will forced him to develop his striking in a way that has become totally unique and his own. With little defense or regard for his own well being, Diaz uses combinations that stifle most opponents, peppering them with shots to the head and body, eventually wearing them down with the incredible pace to which he operates in, which can be attributed to the many triathlons he competes in throughout the year.
He may not be the most “PC” of the bunch—he talks without a filter—but that’s also what makes him so endearing. He’s a fighter’s fighter, a fan’s fighter and he’s not happy unless you’ve been knocked out or choked out. His 10-fight win streak is evidence of just that, with nine of those victories ending before the final bell.
The two welterweight standouts are scheduled to meet at UFC 137, adorning headlining honors at the pay-per-view event which takes place on October 29th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
On paper, it’s St. Pierre’s fight to lose. But if there was any fighter that could spoil the parade of the 170-pound kingpin, it would be the Stockton bad boy, the most dangerous welterweight fighter in the world.
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