Toronto Canada- George Saint Pierre gave another dominating performance, last night, beating Welterweight, number one contender, Jake Shields, over five unimpressive rounds to retain his Welterweight title. Leading up to the event, UFC president, Dana White, tried his best to exaggerate the fight and convince the people that Jake Shields was a legitimate contender and deserving of the title shot. However, he could not sway the fans and the experts, because the champion was a heavy favorite coming into the fight. Shields, an excellent jiu jitsu fighter, could not establish any kind of serious attack, once he was unable to get GSP to the ground. GSP manhandled Shields, throwing him to the ground at will and knocking him down with jabs. If it were not for a serious poke in the eye that affected GSP throughout the fight, Shields would not have made it the distance. The crowd booed throughout the fight, but cheered their compatriots, when the fight's decision was announced. GSP showed, once again, why he is the number one Welterweight, in the world or is he?
At cage side, there was another Welterweight watching the fight, Strike force, Welterweight Champion and friend of Jake Shields, Nick Diaz. The casual fan believes Saint Pierre is the number two, pound for pound fighter, in the world, but for this writer, they’re are two number one welterweights and the fight that really matters, in the division, is GSP vs. Nick Diaz. If you look at the division, as a whole, Diaz and Saint Pierre are the two most complete fighters. Both fighters have great ground and good stand up.
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| Strike Force Champion Nick Diaz |
If you match the two fighters up, the edge goes to Nick Diaz. He has better ground game and, without question, has better stand up, working with excellent boxers like Andre Ward and Luisito Espinosa. The only strength that GSP could utilize is the wrestling. In the past, Diaz has been vulnerable to fighters who smother his shots, on the ground, and bear hug their way to a decision. Whatever may happen between these two fighters remains to be seen? Nick Diaz has a fight with former boxing champion, Jeff Lacy that could hurt things, in the immediate future, because Diaz has the potential to get seriously hurt. Just as the MMA says boxers, underestimate their skills. The MMA is, also, accused of denying the skills and knock out power of a boxer. GSP really does not have many options outside of Jon Fitch or a mega fight (but horrible match up) with Anderson Silva. Therefore, there are still some obstacles, in the way, but the winner of GSP vs. Nick Diaz will determine who the best welterweight in the MMA is.
- The Boxing King -
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