There may not be a more fitting nickname in the UFC today than ‘Rush.’
UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre consistently puts on a takedown clinic when he steps into the Octagon, and Saturday night’s main event at UFC 158 in Montreal will be no different. There’s a lot to like about challenger Nick Diaz‘s game, but like the last 10 fighters St-Pierre has faced, Diaz is sure to be overwhelmed by Rush’s power.
It’s no secret that St-Pierre’s style isn’t the most fun to watch, but it is successful. The 31-year-old is undefeated in his last 10 fights and has won his last five via unanimous decision.
Expect Saturday’s main event to go the distance as well.
While half of Diaz‘s 26 career wins have come via knockout, six of his eight losses have come via decision. So while Diaz can end a fight with a single strike, he’s not the fighter to bet on in a matchup against the best grinder in the sport.
From the opening horn, fans can expect St-Pierre to utilize his incredible lower body strength to take Diaz to the mat, where knockouts are impossible and submissions unlikely against a fighter of St-Pierre’s caliber.
Call it defensive, call it boring, but it’s certainly an intelligent game plan that plays to St-Pierre’s strengths.
His superior power is what Carlos Condit was unable to overcome last November at UFC 154, and it’s bound to be what overwhelms Diaz this weekend.
In addition to his strength, you would be hard-pressed to find a mixed martial artist as fit and conditioned as St-Pierre. Not only can he survive all 25 minutes, but he’s built to go five rounds. St-Pierre arguably gets better as the fight wears on, and his power and takedown ability rarely, if ever, fade.
Plus, St-Pierre has the added advantage of fighting in his hometown of Montreal on Saturday. If the adrenaline isn’t enough to lead him to an 11th consecutive victory, than surely the buzz of a sea of supporters will be.
Sure, Nick Diaz will come out energized looking to prove a point coming off his loss to Condit over a year ago, but he’ll have zero answers for St-Pierre’s overwhelming power.
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