Smartest Guy at the Bar: UFC 158 Edition
Georges St. Pierre has never lost on Canadian soil. | Photo:
Anthony J. Causi/Icon SMI
The Bell Centre in Montreal on Saturday once again plays host to Canada’s most popular athlete, as Georges St. Pierre defends his welterweight title against Nick Diaz in the UFC 158 main event.
UFC 158 “St. Pierre vs. Diaz” showcases seven bouts at 170 pounds, and three of them, including the headliner, feature fighters ranked in the top 10. In the co-main event, Carlos Condit faces off with two-time NCAA wrestling champion Johny Hendricks in his first appearance since failing to unseat St. Pierre in November. Elsewhere, Reign MMA export Jake Ellenberger takes on former Strikeforce champion Nate Marquardt, as “The Great” returns to the Octagon for the first time in nearly two years.
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Is Diaz’s shot deserved?
Trending Topic: What do Diaz, Frankie Edgar and Chael Sonnen have in common? All received title shots after losses, all with varying degrees of irrationality ... The Ultimate Fighting Championship paired Edgar with featherweight boss Jose Aldo after he went 0-2 against reigning 155-pound titleholder Benson Henderson. Still, “The Answer” brought maximum name value and intrigue with his long-awaited drop in weight ... Sonnen moving up to face light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is just as ludicrous, no matter what standard one uses -- unless it is dealing with ratings and pay-per-view buys. As opposing coaches, they have delivered solid ratings for Season 17 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” How much of that success has to do with Jones and Sonnen and how much of it has to do with the level of talent on the show? That is a question for others to answer ... Meanwhile, St. Pierre-Diaz can be debated more subjectively. Diaz just lost, and despite the UFC’s recent trend, fighters who lose should not receive title shots. This bout was supposed to have happened already, and according to White, GSP demanded Diaz as an opponent. Stylistically, Diaz’s volume punching and savvy ground game pose realistic risks to the champion. It makes for a polarizing discussion.
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Silva overshadows St. Pierre.
Another Chapter in History: St. Pierre has ruled the welterweight division with an iron fist since 2008, defending his undisputed title a staggering seven straight times. If it were not for Anderson Silva treating the Octagon like his own personal Matrix, the Canadian’s achievements would sparkle much brighter. “Rush” has already overshadowed history’s other dominant welterweight, Matt Hughes, and is now working on an all-time legacy regardless of weight class. He ranks second all-time in UFC title bouts with 12, trailing only Randy Couture, and second all-time in consecutive title defenses with seven, behind only Silva. GSP makes history every time he fights; that is reality. Regardless of your opinion of his fighting style, his lack of finishes or his Kermit the Frog accent, the man is flirting with legendary status.
Useless Fact: This will be St. Pierre’s fourth consecutive title defense on Canadian soil. Fifteen of his previous 16 UFC fights have taken place in the United States. You want a home-field advantage? Become a national sports icon and consistently break attendance records within your home borders.
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Hendricks is in the co-main event.
Awards Watch: GSP and Diaz stand atop the show, but give me Condit-Hendricks as the stylistic main event. Condit’s versatile striking game and savvy submissions battle Hendricks’ heavy punches and man strength that can only be acquired through a lifetime of grappling. Color that “Fight of the Night” … “Knockout of the Night” should fall into the hands of whoever lands the final strike when “The Ultimate Fighter” alum Daron Cruickshank squares off against John Makdessi … UFC on Fuel TV 8 went without a submission, and UFC 158 does not showcase a match with an obvious submission written on it, either. Diaz can tap anybody, but GSP is not just anybody. Colin Fletcher has the skills and long limbs to pull it off, but I am going with Quinn Mulhern tapping out Rick Story for “Submission of the Night.” I just cannot rid myself of the vision of Demian Maia turning Story’s head into a Gushers fruit candy with a neck crank at UFC 153.
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