UFC 158’s main event is sensational. Reigning welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre will officially square off with Stockton, Calif., badboy Nick Diaz inside the Octagon, but the two have already battled for months leading into the fight.T…
Reigning welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre will officially square off with Stockton, Calif., badboy Nick Diaz inside the Octagon, but the two have already battled for months leading into the fight.
This exhaustive pre-fight banter undoubtedly took its toll on each fighter, and this matchup may very well come down to who can manage his emotions better inside the cage.
These two have a history.
Following his UFC 137 victory over BJ Penn, Diaz allegedly chased GSP inside their hotel, bullying the champion for no apparent reason.
Dating back to his days as an insecure nine-year-old child, GSP has felt the wrath of bullies, and this adds a unique dynamic to this fight.
GSP, usually a reserved, professional and unshakable man, bared his teeth at the UFC 158 press conference, and it appears he is legitimately perturbed by Diaz‘s relentless trash talk.
Known as a “safe” fighter—he has won five straight fights via unanimous decision—GSP may finally open up and take risks to smash Diaz inside the cage.
In doing so, however, he will open himself up to Diaz‘s own very capable attack.
Diaz has finished 21 of his 26 career victories, and he is equally proficient striking (13 career knockouts) as he is grappling (eight submissions).
This presents a dangerous foe for GSP, and should the champion get sloppy, Diaz will be ready to pounce.
Also at stake in this fight is GSP‘s incredible winning streak. The champion has won 10 straight fights dating back to April 2007, and he stands as one of the most dominant fighters in the organization’s history.
For his part, Nick Diaz never really established himself as a consistent threat inside the Octagon.
He is 7-5 in UFC fights, and even now he is coming off a loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 143.
After serving a yearlong suspension for a failed drug test following this bout, Diaz finds himself in the biggest fight of his life.
Chalk it up to his personality and his badboy image.
Diaz is the polar opposite of GSP, and that creates the intrigue. Add in his dangerous skill set, and this is legitimately one of the most interesting title fights in quite some time.
Will GSP finally end his streak of decisions and finish an opponent or will the title change hands for the first time in almost five years?
These are the stakes.
One man will emerge the heroic victor and one will slump into the dark pit of defeat.
UFC 158 provides the stage, St-Pierre and Diaz will provide the resolution.
MONTREAL—When I wanted to break down tonight’s big UFC 158 main event between Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz, there was only one man I could turn to: my buddy Mark Hominick, a Canadian who also happens to know a little something about fighting h…
MONTREAL—When I wanted to break down tonight’s big UFC 158 main event between Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz, there was only one man I could turn to: my buddy Mark Hominick, a Canadian who also happens to know a little something about fighting himself.
Hominick, a former featherweight contender in the UFC, gives you his prediction and thoughts on the fight, and I do the same. But you want to listen to what he has to say more than you want to listen to what I have to say, because, you know, he actually fights.
Check out our predictions and then give us your own in the comments below!
Georges St-Pierre will look to add yet another well-known name to his illustrious championship resume with an emphatic win over Nick Diaz at UFC 158.After a well-documented build up that started all the way back in 2010 (h/t Bleacher Report’s Jonathan …
Georges St-Pierre will look to add yet another well-known name to his illustrious championship resume with an emphatic win over Nick Diaz at UFC 158.
After a well-documented build up that started all the way back in 2010 (h/t Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Snowden) St-Pierre will finally get his hands on the brawler from Stockton. Whether or not you believe Diaz has done enough to earn the title shot he’s been given, fans should rejoice that this matchup will finally go down.
St-Pierre has been as dominant a champion as there’s been outside of Anderson Silva. His reign has included wins over some of the best welterweights in the history of the UFC and he’s been champion since 2008.
However, his fight with Diaz will be another animal. With each challenger to GSP‘s belt, new issues arise. Here’s what St-Pierre will have to do to ensure he remains the dominant champion of the welterweight division.
Utilize Wrestling Early
St-Pierre has made his intentions clear throughout the pre-fight hype that he wants to put a beatdown on Diaz. He’s tired of constantly being called out by the man and seems determined to prove wrong the doubters who have called him boring.
While it’s all well and good that GSP wants to strive for a finish, he needs to build a lead with what he does best. In this case, it’s utilizing his wrestling to slam Diaz into the canvas and start piling up the damage via ground and pound.
Diaz wants to stand and slug it out. He makes no bones about that and wants this to be as close to a boxing match as he can get it.
By taking Diaz down early on, St-Pierre can frustrate him. Getting Diaz out of his element in an emotional fight like this one would be a huge advantage.
Stay Focused
GSP would have you believe that he’s been here before. Diaz‘s trash talk won’t get to him when they step into the octagon. Dana White isn’t buying it (h/t ESPN’s Josh Gross).
Georges is being weird right now. Georges isn’t close to being Georges.There’s no doubt this thing has messed with his head. I just think he’s pissed. He’s a in a different place than he’s ever been because he’s mad.
While a little extra aggression may be good for training purposes, it doesn’t translate well in the actual fight. GSP is one of the most intelligent and strategic fighters of all time. Fighting with emotion can eliminate that aspect of his game.
Considering that one of the few ways Diaz could win this fight is to lure GSP into a fast-paced boxing match, the champion must avoid that at all costs.
St-Pierre needs to pick his spots and stick to his gameplan.
Go For the Finish
St-Pierre has been accused of playing it safe in the past.
Who can blame him? When you’re as dominant as he’s been, you’re obviously doing something right.
However, this is one fight where he might be better advised to go for the kill if it presents itself. If Diaz has anything going for him, it’s a massive gas tank. He simply doesn’t get tired and there’s no doubt that he’ll be able to go five rounds if need be.
Diaz is coming off of a much longer layoff than St-Pierre and rust could be an issue early on. If GSP can put Diaz away early, he won’t have to worry about a late-fight surge from the challenger.
Plus it would remind people that GSP is as dominant a champion as the UFC has.
The Georges St. Pierre-Nick Diaz main event at UFC 158 is one of the biggest fights of the year, and no matter what is signed for the remainder of 2013, it will likely hold onto that status.When major UFC events like these come along, the betting and p…
The Georges St. Pierre-Nick Diaz main event at UFC 158 is one of the biggest fights of the year, and no matter what is signed for the remainder of 2013, it will likely hold onto that status.
When major UFC events like these come along, the betting and predictions increase, and UFC 158 is no exception. Of course, I have my own predictions. I believe GSP will win a decision over Diaz, and Stockton, Calif.’s pseudo bad boy will whine about how the world is against him, blah, blah, blah.
Here are the odds and predictions for the main event and other fights on the main card from others around the sport.
Odds in parentheses and per VegasInsider.com
Odds: Mike “The Martian” Ricci (-285) vs. Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher (+225)
Ricci is tough as nails and training at Tristar Gym with studs like Rory MacDonald and Georges St-Pierre will develop his skills quickly.
He is also much better at lightweight than at welterweight, but I still think Fletcher is just more well-rounded at this point in his career.
Fletcher, Unanimous Decision
I Say:
Ricci‘s height neutralizes the normal height advantage Fletcher genuinely enjoys, and I think he wears him down for a late submission or decision victory.
Nick “The Promise” Ring (-130) vs. Chris Camozzi (EVEN)
Ring hasn’t fought since last summer, and wasn’t exactly a world beater in his last two bouts (one a slim victory). But his well-rounded game (muay Thai, jiu-jitsu and pro boxing on his resumé) will allow him to get the job done.
Ring by decision.
I Say:
Ring has impressed me with his toughness every time I’ve seen him. It is true, he isn’t the most talented. But I expect this fight to go to the ground, and Ring has the superior Jiu-Jitsu game.
Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger (-170) vs. Nate “The Great” Marquardt (+140)
Nate was impressive in his welterweight debut against TyronWoodley, and it wouldn’t be fair to judge him off his performance against Saffiedine — who was simply a bad matchup for him. Ellenberger doesn’t have the striking style to keep him at bay like Tarec did, so I expect Marquardt to redeem himself on Saturday.
Marquardt wins via TKO.
I Say:
Not sure which Ellenberger fights King has been watching, but The Juggernaut has plenty of pop in his punches. Perhaps he’s speaking of dexterity and quickness.
Either way, I see this fight unraveling differently. I believe it will be an intense battle, but Ellenberger will come out on top.
Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks (-145) vs. Carlos “Natural Born Killer” Condit (+115)
Over the past few weeks, Hendricks has also gone on the record several times talking about his knockout power and how he doesn’t use his wrestling much any more.
That comes back to bite him this time if that truly is his approach. Condit is a nasty, rangy striker with phenomenal kicks. If Hendricks isn’t looking for the takedown, Condit can light him up with his feet.
Condit, TKO, Round 3
I Say:
I fully respect Condit‘s overall ability, but Hendricks is ready to become the sport’s next star. His amazing punching power has veiled his great wrestling ability.
Martin is just one of many that still doubt Hendricks. But on Saturday night, he’s going to make a believer out of everyone when he stops Condit in the second round.
Georges “Rush” St. Pierre (-500) vs. Nick Diaz (+350)
Diaz, by rounds three or four, will begin to gain the advantage due to his cardio (assuming that St. Pierre will be unable to stop him). I think that this will likely put St. Pierre in danger on his feet, leaving him more tired than he has ever been before in a professional bout. So the next question- will he be able to survive the Diaz onslaught late in the fight? If so, St. Pierre will win by decision. If not…
Yep, I’m calling an upset that seems almost blasphemous. But he’s got to lose some time, right?
Nick Diaz defeats Georges St. Pierre by TKO in round five.
I Say:
I certainly applaud Rousseau for going against the grain, and I respect Diaz‘s skills and toughness. Rousseau makes some very good points as well, but I disagree with the theory.
Diaz is a better boxer, but I’m not totally convinced he’s a superior striker. It seems that much of Rousseau’s prediction is based on that notion.
GSP can be very unpredictable with kicks, superman punches and knees. It just so happens he likely has a predominant edge in grappling. I see GSP trading a bit on his feet to gain respect, but ultimately he takes Diaz to the mat.
GSP is not only a better wrestler, he’s physically much stronger than Diaz. The only thing that’s better than being technically superior than your opponent in a specific skill, is having them physically overpowered as well.
Diaz‘s only chance to win this fight is to catch GSP early on. Once he gets taken to the ground and sees how overmatched he is there, he will lose confidence and go through the motions.
I’ve got GSP by decision.
Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay on YouTube and Twitter for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games
Two years of buzz and hype are now in the books, fight fans are finally getting treated to a Nick Diaz vs. Georges St-Pierre title fight at UFC 158.MMA’s consummate poster man (St-Pierre) will take on the UFC’s consummate villain (Diaz) in a clash of s…
Two years of buzz and hype are now in the books, fight fans are finally getting treated to a Nick Diaz vs. Georges St-Pierre title fight at UFC 158.
MMA‘s consummate poster man (St-Pierre) will take on the UFC’s consummate villain (Diaz) in a clash of styles and personalities both inside and outside of the Octagon.
Lost in all of the hype that comes with pre-fight talk is the fact that this is a fascinating matchup in the cage. GSP is the most calculating and tactical fighter in the sport. Diaz loves a good old-fashioned brawl.
Will GSP oblige Diaz in a stand-up war? Can Diaz work to his feet if taken down? Will we see GSP finish a fight? Did Diaz get enough sleep?
Questions abound.
Here’s a look at the night’s main attraction, including the latest odds from Bovada and a prediction.
Moneyline Odds: Georges St-Pierre -500, Nick Diaz +350
Unsurprisingly, GSP comes in as a fairly heavy favorite to the betting public. That’s what happens when you haven’t lost since 2007.
Passionate Diaz fans would like to point out that he brings something different to the table. His cardio, unique style and pace are different than anything St-Pierre has ever seen in the cage, but the fact still remains that St-Pierre is one of the most unbeatable athletes in the sport.
Prop Bets
The two prop bets that are intriguing are GSP inside of five rounds (+290) and Diaz by submission (7/1), but they aren’t the most likely thing to happen.
St-Pierre could prove that he really is going to give Diaz a beatdown and finish the fight. We haven’t seen him earn anything other than a decision win since earning a corner stoppage over B.J. Penn in 2009 and he hasn’t had a true stoppage victory since winning the title in 2008 against Matt Serra.
St-Pierre has been criticized for not finishing fights in the past and Diaz‘s trash talk may be just the thing that pushes him to finish the fight.
The other prop bet—and one that is admittedly not likely—is Diaz by submission. Much has been made about Diaz‘s striking, but it’s actually much more likely that he catches GSP in a submission if he pulls off the upset.
Of Diaz‘s last five wins that have come by way of stoppage, three of them have come by way of submission. While his boxing is great, his jiu-jitsu gets lost in the shuffle sometimes. There’s a good chance GSP spends the majority of this fight on the ground and in control on top.
If Diaz is going to win, he’ll have to catch St-Pierre on the ground.
Prediction
All betting possibilities aside, the smartest money is on GSP doing what GSP does best.
There’s no doubt that Diaz is in St-Pierre’s head to an extent, but the odds that means victory for the UFC’s challenger are slim.
St-Pierre is a calculating fighter that owes his success to his mental prowess as much as his incredible athleticism. Diaz has the kind of style and bizarre antics to make this an interesting fight. But to expect anything more than another display of the champions dominance for five rounds may result in disappointment.
UFC 158 features several exciting matchups, and there is sure to be plenty of top-class UFC action on Saturday night. Georges St. Pierre and Nick Diaz are headlining the event, and the two fighters have grown continually less fond of one another …
UFC 158 features several exciting matchups, and there is sure to be plenty of top-class UFC action on Saturday night.
Georges St. Pierre and Nick Diaz are headlining the event, and the two fighters have grown continually less fond of one another as the fight has drawn closer. Their feud is building up to what should be an incredible bout.
But there are 10 other fights scheduled for the night, and even the most die-hard UFC fans can get their fill.
All scheduling and pay-per-view information is available via UFC.com. Here is when each part of the card will kick off.
Dillashaw is a fighter on the rise, and if he can make a statement in this fight, he has a bright future ahead of him.
All of the fighters on this card are far away from a marquee fight, but Dillashaw is closer than the other names above, leaving the 27-year-old Californian with the most to prove.
Tamura has a win and a loss in his two previous UFC fights, and he will be the underdog. This fight will reveal whether Dillashaw is for real.
FX Prelims
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
Watch: FX
Matchups:
Patrick Cote vs. Bobby Voelker
Antonio Carvalho vs. Darren Elkins
Dan Miller vs. Jordan Mein
John Makdessi vs. Daron Cruickshank
Best Fight: Antonio Carvalho vs. Darren Elkins
Elkins is another fighter looking to take the next step in his promising career.
After four consecutive victories via decision, he is starting to create buzz in the featherweight division. But a loss can change all that.
Elkins must take down Carvalho in this match if he hopes to get on bigger and better cards going forward.
Main Card
Start Time: 10 p.m. ET
Watch: Pay-Per-View
Matchups:
Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz (welterweight title fight)
Carlos Condit vs. Johny Hendricks
Jake Ellenberger vs. Nate Marquardt
Nick Ring vs. Chris Camozzi
Mike Ricci vs. Colin Fletcher
Best Fight: Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz
There have been main events in which the headliners do not offer fans the best matchup, but this is not one of them.
Both fighters have few weaknesses and impressive UFC records. St. Pierre is the favorite, but Diaz is a worthy challenger.
To take this matchup to the next level, both this fighters really don’t like each other. This should make for an extremely entertaining bout.
Georges St-Pierre will look to add yet another well-known name to his illustrious championship resume with an emphatic win over Nick