For as long as many can remember, Georges St-Pierre has been on top in the welterweight division. He is a three-time UFC welterweight champion (once was interim), and is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak. He has defeated everyone put in front of him and has literally cleaned out the entire UFC welterweight division.
There is one thing that GSP has not encountered, a man that will bring the fight to him. A fighter that has the ability to not only test his cardio, but also every aspect of the fight game.
On June 1, UFC president Dana White made the announcement that GSP’s next opponent would be Nick Diaz.
Diaz brings all of those problems to the table.
Diaz is the current Strikeforce welterweight champion and is on a 10-fight winning streak. He is overlooked by many and is truly an unappreciated fighter. Diaz is known for finding out what his opponent is best at and defeating them at their own game.
Has Diaz faced the level of fighters that GSP has faced? No. One thing is that most recently Diaz scored a TKO on Paul Daley, and though people say who cares, it has a significant meaning to it.
If people think back, Daley fought Josh Koscheck and if he won, he would face GSP for the welterweight title and also be a coach on The Ultimate Fighter. Daley has had one TKO loss in his career, and it was due to a thumb injury.
Daley is a power-puncher and is overall a very good striker and everyone remembers what he did to Martin Kampmann. Diaz beat Daley at his own game, and was the first man to win by the method of TKO.
Should Diaz have had to face a couple of guys in the UFC welterweight division before getting this fight? In all truths, yes, but this fight is such a marketable fight that at this moment putting this fight at risk at not taking place is not a smart business move.
The fans wanted this fight and the UFC delivered. That being said, is this the fight that opens the door to more crossover fights? It almost has to mean that.
There is virtually no reason to leave some of these bigger names in Strikeforce waiting on an opponent. Zuffa, LLC, in a whole, is in a great position at the moment because the fights and money that can be made is just literally a fantasy that can now come true.
Diaz vs. St-Pierre, is more of a marketed fight than a deserved fight, but how will it go?
St-Pierre is an extremely talented technical striker. His kicks are top notch, and his punches are spot on. His main problem is that he really doesn’t possess the one-punch knockout power, but good thing for him, neither does Diaz.
Diaz possesses very good boxing, he always pushes the pace in fights and his cardio is never in question. GSP has the advantage in the wrestling department, but does he really want to risk Diaz being on his back?
In the Shields fight, St-Pierre kept it standing, the only problem is that Diaz is a much better striker.
Every fight it is stated that this opponent is the guy that will dethrone GSP, but in this case, Diaz is truly the biggest threat. How will GSP be able to handle all of the vocal taunts that Diaz will throw his way?
This fight is just overall a great matchup and has many potential outcomes.
Anyone can call a winner for this fight, but let’s keep it real. Actions speak louder than words. Prepare for war everyone, because this fight will not disappoint.
Follow me on twitter @slocomania.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com