MMA Access: Georges St-Pierre Rushes Back Into The Octagon
BEHIND THE SCENES MMA ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
10/26/2012
Georges St-Pierre Rushes Back Into The Octagon
By Christopher ‘sLapDatSuCKa’ Jester
Since defeating Jake Shields at UFC 129, Georges ‘Rush’ St-Pierre has not fought in the Octagon. An ACL injury took him out of the fight game for over a year. April 30, 2011 was his last visit in the Octagon, and many have to wonder will one of the top pound-4-pound fighters in the world come back and be as successful as he was before his injury. On November 17th, when the UFC welterweight champion looks to unite his title with the UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit’s title, fans will get their questions answered.
There is no doubt that St-Pierre has a huge following in the UFC. Without him, the UFC welterweight division had been on hold. Although there was a UFC interim title match between Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz that ended in a controversial decision, it has been one of the few matches that has made much noise in a division that was once one of the UFC’s most popular divisions. Although there are rising stars in the welterweight division such Erick Silva, Martin Kampmann and Johnny Hendricks, their efforts were only chess pieces moving for the return of St-Pierre.
Coming off this injury, however, St-Pierre doesn’t have an easy match-up waiting for him. This title unification match will surely be a litmus test for St-Pierre’s abilities. If GSP can come back and defeat Carlos Condit then he will surely electrify the welterweight division. Carlos Condit is the perfect opponent for St-Pierre to fight in his return. In Carlos Condit, he will face a man who has rarely gone to decision; a total of four decisions throughout his career. However, decision fights is something St-Pierre has been criticized on in his last few fights. His last four fights have gone to the judges for their decision. Despite going to decision with Nick Diaz, Condit has won two “Knockout of the Night” honors. If that Carlos Condit comes back for this fight, could fans possibly be looking at a Matt Serra-type upset? It goes without saying that it is possible.
Yet, a victory over Condit will clarify that GSP is still among the pound-4-pound top fighters in the world. This is the sort of fight that makes history. To return from a terrible career-altering injury and beat one of the best fighters in the world will staple St-Pierre’s place in mixed martial arts as an icon.
But a loss will make fans wonder if St-Pierre has what it takes to remain as successful as he has been in his career. It won’t set him back to a point where he will be an image of his former self, but it will make several things be put on hold. A superfight with Anderson Silva may not make much sense anymore. The bout is supposed to be about two fighters on the top of their divisions, but also two of the best fighters in the UFC coming together to put their streaks on the line. GSP’s streak would be crushed if he loses to Carlos Condit. A point to consider about his fight against Condit is that he will be coming in with a bit of ring rust. This could damper his performance against a man who knows him through with both fighters being a part of Greg Jackson’s team.
Georges St. Pierre has been on top of the welterweight division for quite some time. But his fight against Carlos Condit will prove where he fits after his ACL injury. Can “Rush” return back to his dominating ways? Or will the injury set him back? On November 17 at UFC 154, the world will find out if Georges St. Pierre has what it takes to remain a force to be reckoned with in the UFC.
Follow Christopher “sLapDatSuCKa” Jester on Twitter @sLapDatSuCka
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