Tag: UFC 158

GSP vs. Diaz: What’s at Stake for Nick Diaz at UFC 158?

Georges St-Pierre has given Nick Diaz a golden opportunity. Had St-Pierre not been so angry with Diaz to request a fight with the polarizing Californian, it would have been far from a guarantee that Diaz would have ever earned another chance to co…

Georges St-Pierre has given Nick Diaz a golden opportunity. 

Had St-Pierre not been so angry with Diaz to request a fight with the polarizing Californian, it would have been far from a guarantee that Diaz would have ever earned another chance to compete for UFC gold.

In his last appearance, Diaz was defeated by Carlos Condit, seemingly leaving himself at least a couple wins away from a title shot. However, even after a year-long suspension, Diaz instead finds himself battling for the belt without picking up a single victory following that Condit loss.

Even though it would appear Diaz has nothing to lose by being given this chance to fight St-Pierre, there is a lot at stake for the former Strikeforce champion at UFC 158.

Diaz has been asking for this fight with the Canadian titleholder for years, and he’s talked plenty of trash about St-Pierre in addition. If he doesn’t provide some sort of challenge for St-Pierre, Saturday would mark one of the lowest points in Diaz‘s long MMA career.

It was rescinded somewhat quickly, but a frustrated Diaz did hint at retirement following his controversial loss to Condit in February 2012. 

Having considered retirement for much less, a loss at UFC 158 could spell the end of a career for one of the sport’s most colorful characters. Then again, upset St-Pierre in Saturday’s main event and things could just be getting started for the 29-year-old.

Diaz has always been vocal about his displeasure about the lack of exposure he receives in the media and amount of pay he receives for his fights. His outtake on the financial possibilities of MMA could change drastically should he become a UFC champion.

If UFC president Dana White straps a UFC belt around Diaz‘s waist Saturday, it could be the beginning of a renaissance for the welterweight division.

Of course, there could be some middle ground, but the fact that becoming champion and announcing retirement are both real possibilities for Diaz at the end of UFC 158 shows just how unpredictable the Cesar Gracie-trained fighter has been. 

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GSP vs Diaz: What’s at Stake for Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158?

Georges St-Pierre has won nine straight UFC title fights. He’ll look for his 10th against enemy Nick Diaz at UFC 158 on Saturday.Despite all St-Pierre’s accolades and the big fights he’s taken part in over the years, we’ve never seen the welterwei…

Georges St-Pierre has won nine straight UFC title fights. 

He’ll look for his 10th against enemy Nick Diaz at UFC 158 on Saturday.

Despite all St-Pierre’s accolades and the big fights he’s taken part in over the years, we’ve never seen the welterweight champion act as he has in the lead-up to this matchup. St-Pierre has a serious problem with Diaz or else he wouldn’t be fighting the challenger who is coming off of back-to-back losses and a year-long absence from competition. 

For once, that makes a St-Pierre fight about something other than legacy. The Canadian’s pride is on the line in this bout.

St-Pierre asked for Diaz as an opponent in an effort to silence the controversial contender once and for all. Should he lose on Saturday, St-Pierre will never hear the end of his decision to plead for an opponent who most felt was undeserving of a shot at the belt in comparison to a surging welterweight like Johny Hendricks.

There is the potential for a superfight with Anderson Silva that would give St-Pierre a chance to solidify himself as the greatest fighter in MMA history. However, that goal is being put on hold for this clash with Diaz at UFC 158.

Finally, St-Pierre appears to have let go of the pressure attached to defending his legacy and is now focused more on protecting his ideals and reputation as a fighter not willing to back down from a challenge.

Could that mean a more aggressive and hungry St-Pierre?

We’ll have to wait until late on Saturday night to find out just how angry the champion is with Diaz. 

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GSP vs Diaz: What’s at Stake for Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158?

Georges St-Pierre has won nine straight UFC title fights. He’ll look for his 10th against enemy Nick Diaz at UFC 158 on Saturday.Despite all St-Pierre’s accolades and the big fights he’s taken part in over the years, we’ve never seen the welterwei…

Georges St-Pierre has won nine straight UFC title fights. 

He’ll look for his 10th against enemy Nick Diaz at UFC 158 on Saturday.

Despite all St-Pierre’s accolades and the big fights he’s taken part in over the years, we’ve never seen the welterweight champion act as he has in the lead-up to this matchup. St-Pierre has a serious problem with Diaz or else he wouldn’t be fighting the challenger who is coming off of back-to-back losses and a year-long absence from competition. 

St-Pierre’s issues with Diaz are nothing new. The two welterweights had been scheduled to fight at UFC 137 back in 2011, but Diaz was pulled from that bout because he missed multiple press obligations and St-Pierre later suffered an injury that didn’t allow him to compete on the fight card anyway.

Following his win over B.J. Penn at the event, Diaz called the injured St-Pierre out and helped set up a re-scheduled fight that would once again fall apart due to an injury for the champion.  

For once, the history with his opponent make this St-Pierre fight about something other than legacy. The Canadian’s pride is on the line in this bout.

St-Pierre asked for Diaz as an opponent in an effort to silence the controversial contender once and for all. Should he lose on Saturday, St-Pierre will never hear the end of his decision to plead for an opponent who most felt was undeserving of a shot at the belt in comparison to a surging welterweight like Johny Hendricks.

There is the potential for a superfight with Anderson Silva that would give St-Pierre a chance to solidify himself as the greatest fighter in MMA history. However, that goal is being put on hold for this clash with Diaz at UFC 158.

Finally, St-Pierre appears to have let go of the pressure attached to defending his legacy and is now focused more on protecting his ideals and reputation as a fighter not willing to back down from a challenge.

Could that mean a more aggressive and hungry St-Pierre?

We’ll have to wait until late on Saturday night to find out just how angry the champion is with Diaz. 

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UFC 158: Nate Diaz Posts New Event Photo, Rips GSP for Rumored Steroid Use

Apparently, the Diaz brothers still have a sense of humor.While Nick Diaz’s younger brother Nate won’t be fighting at UFC 158, the veteran lightweight contender is nonetheless fulfilling his usual duties as cornerman, bodyguard and entourage.But as muc…

Apparently, the Diaz brothers still have a sense of humor.

While Nick Diaz’s younger brother Nate won’t be fighting at UFC 158, the veteran lightweight contender is nonetheless fulfilling his usual duties as cornerman, bodyguard and entourage.

But as much work as that might entail, there’s always time for the Stocktonians to poke fun at welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

During the UFC 158 pre-fight conference and a subsequent interview with SportsNet 590 “The Fan,” Nick made headlines around the MMA world when he openly accused GSP of using steroids to gain an edge over his opponents.

As with most things that the older Diaz brother has said this week, the news caught like wildfire, raising the grim specter of drug use in mixed martial arts.

(Note: St-Pierre has never tested positive for banned substances.)

But even with rumors about GSP’s drug use once again out in the public, Nate threw another not-so-subtle jab toward the champion’s way with an alternate take on a UFC 158 poster.

Taking an obvious cue from the brothers’ infamous support of medicinal marijuana, the imagery also points a finger at St-Pierre’s suspected doping with a prominent syringe.

But all joking from the Diaz brothers aside, the trash-talk and mind games may come to end after the main event of UFC 158, where Nick remains a heavy underdog to upset the second-longest active reigning champion in the promotion’s ranks.

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UFC 158: Georges St-Pierre’s Power Will Overwhelm Nick Diaz in Main Event

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 d…

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.

 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter. 

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UFC 158: Live Results, Play-by-Play and Fight Card Highlights

Saturday marks the end of a grueling UFC fight week for welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and his most intense challenger yet, the infamous Nick Diaz.In the main event of UFC 158, both men will finally meet in the Octagon, free of media tours and…

Saturday marks the end of a grueling UFC fight week for welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and his most intense challenger yet, the infamous Nick Diaz.

In the main event of UFC 158, both men will finally meet in the Octagon, free of media tours and months of training behind them.

But, although St-Pierre aims to pull off his eighth consecutive title defense and 11th straight UFC victory, this anticipated grudge match may see the champion attempt to become the first MMA fighter to legitimately finish Diaz in over 10 years.

However, UFC 158 isn’t just about the headliners.

Carlos Condit, Johny Hendricks, Jake Ellenberger and Nate Marquardt will also jockey for position in the welterweight title hunt, while 18 other men also compete across five different weight classes.

UFC 158 Main Card

• Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz
• Carlos Condit vs. Johny Hendricks
• Jake Ellenberger vs. Nate Marquardt
• Chris Camozzi vs. Nick Ring
• Mike Ricci vs. Colin Fletcher

Preliminary Card (FX)

• Patrick Cote vs. Bobby Voelker
• Antonio Carvalho vs. Darren Elkins
• Dan Miller vs. Jordan Mein
• John Makdessi vs. Daron Cruickshank

Preliminary Card (Facebook)

• Rick Story vs. Quinn Mulhern
• T.J. Dillashaw vs. Issei Tamura
• George Roop vs. Reuben Duran

Everything starts Saturday with the Facebook Prelims at 3:35 p.m. PT/6:35 p.m. ET, followed by the UFC 158 Prelims on FX at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. Finally, the UFC 158 main card kicks off at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET, with the night wrapping up after the post-fight press conference.

(Find out how to order the PPV right here.)

So, stay tuned this weekend as Bleacher Report MMA gives you every fight result, every highlight and all the biggest stories all in one place, from the first bout on the card to the final bell.

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