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November 18: It’s time for GSP to shine

By UFCmania | November 14, 2006

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By Tom Bones

If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it hundreds of times during the last six months.

Georges St. Pierre is a different fighter now than he was in 2004 when he lost to Matt Hughes.

Back then, the 23-year-old rising star was star struck, competing against his idol on the biggest mixed martial arts stage in North America. He showed Hughes too much respect and paid the ultimate price for it, losing via armbar with one second remaining in the first round.

But, things are different now.

“Rush” has improved his game since the defeat. So, too, has Hughes. The pride of St. Isidore, Canada, however, has improved more. And this time around, he’s treating the nine-time UFC welterweight champion just like any other opponent.

Sound familiar? It should.

Rather than beat a dead horse, let’s instead talk about the one thing that definitely hasn’t changed since UFC 50: “The War of ’04.”

Specifically, Matt Hughes is still a big dick.

Is his arrogance the byproduct of success in the Octagon, just an act or is it his nature?

Regardless, his actions and words clearly bother many fans and fighters alike, including St. Pierre. Hughes takes swipes at the 25-year-old frequently, cracking jokes at his expense and finding just the right comments to push his buttons.

Look no further than this season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 4, which showed Hughes often teasing St. Pierre with schoolyard taunts.

It’s a very strange relationship, if that’s what you want to call it.

And clearly, it irritates St. Pierre. To his credit, the sportsman rarely stoops to the same level.

Even during the TUF 4 Finale interview with the fighters, St. Pierre bit his lip while Hughes made a poor attempt to assassinate the character of one of the classiest guys in the sport.

“Georges showed his true colors that night,” he said, referring to the public comments St. Pierre made in the wake of Hughes’ victory over BJ Penn at UFC 63: “Hughes vs. Penn.”

Give us a break, Matt.

Most of us fans have had enough. And obviously, so too has Georges St. Pierre.

This time he may have taken things too far, which may work to his disadvantage on November 18. He also doesn’t appear to take St. Pierre too seriously — a big mistake.

After coming off of a huge emotional TKO over “The Prodigy” less than two months ago — and talks of retirement swirling — is the St. Pierre fight something for which the 33-year-old can get motivated?

Listen, with more than 40 victories under his belt versus a meager four defeats, the dominance and accomplishments of Matt Hughes are undeniable and downright gaudy.

But, his shtick — much like his debatable reign as the greatest of all time — are getting tired.

Put simply, it’s time to pass the torch.

It’s time for a gentleman to carry the mantle as UFC Welterweight Champion.

It’s time for GSP.

Tom Bones is the managing editor of UFCMania.com. You can contact him via e-mail at [email protected].

Topics: All Topics, Tom Bones, UFC | 8 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

8 Responses to “November 18: It’s time for GSP to shine”

  1. maafaka says:

    man, you speak the pure truth

  2. […] We’ve also posted an opinion piece over at FightOpinion.com regarding the showdown between “Rush” and UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes at UFC 65: “Bad Intentions” this Saturday in Sacramento, California. […]

  3. I would be willing to bet that Matt Hughes won’t survive his match against GSP. Simply put, Matt was being outmatched when fighting BJ Penn and it was only Penn’s freak injury that allowed Matt to come back in the third round and finish the fight. Anything can happen in a fight, but considering Hughes’ recent performance and his talk of retirement, I’d say this time around it is Hughes who has the big question mark regarding his dedication and will.

  4. […] Tom Bones has gave his thoughts when it comes to the upcoming GSP/Hughes fight this saturday. Very good read. Head on over to FightOpinion.com and check it out. […]

  5. MMA T-Shirts says:

    I’ve never wanted anyone to win a fight as much as I want GSP to win this one.

    I’ll be watching it over the net and it will be 5.00am by the time we get round to the Hughes vs GSP fight. I wouldnt be surprised if I wake up the whole street when GSP f*cks Hughes up in the most satisfying fight of all time!

    Hughes is an f’ing dick and I’ve had enough of him!

  6. monkeymatt says:

    I can’t wait for Hughes to be unable to handle GSP’s riddim.

    It’s Hughes’ own fault for being a dick.

    I think Serra’s pet name for him is going to stick.

  7. GassedOut says:

    You’re not the only ones. In a freak coincidnece of fate, I work with George’s (distant) cousin Jeff. You can bet that the whole office here is rooting for GSP.

    I for one think Matt is a great fighter…and a legend in his own mind. (Maybe Dana White’s too.) I also think that GSP is going to stop the fight, hopefully before the end of the third round.

    Matt ought to keep to the saying he has on his own website. “When you lose, say little. When you win, say even less.” Maybe he should say nothing at all. It beats looking like a dork to your own fans…

  8. nikuraba says:

    Man that ‘Greatest of All Time’ link was a good one. Didn’t that guy used to write vaguely neutral pieces back in the days before a UFC paycheque? I can understand UFC pushing their champs and all, but that was sweet.

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