On The Move [GSP Blog]
Two weeks ago I was in Montreal a class with Bruno Fernandes, who’s my BJJ from Gracie Barra. He doesn’t live in Montreal anymore, he’s living in Toronto for a year doing a special class that’s only in Toronto (he’s got a PhD as an opthalmalogist). When he comes to Montreal once/month, I always make sure I’m in town because he always has new moves to show me that can apply in my fights. I was very surprised because at the end of the class, he started with a beautiful speech and he took the black belt out of a bag and put it around my waist and he said “well-deserved”. For me, it’s a huge achievement, just as much as receiving my black belt in karate when I was twelve years old and also winning the UFC World title. It is very gratifying, and coming from him it’s even more honorific.
I’ve been very busy during the last couple of weeks because I moved from South Shore to Ile-des-soeurs, from a house to a condominium (less maintenance). I decided to move from my house in South Shore because I was spending too much time in traffic crossing the bridge going back and forth to the island. Most fighters train in one or maybe two, gyms, but I’m different - I train in 5 different places on Montreal island, so I spend a lot time in the car from gym to gym. Normally, I have a training in the late morning and another one later in the evening, so I go home in between. That’s why I decided to move closer to my training. I think it will be a big plus and I think I will come out stronger from that change in my life.
One of the things that goes along with being a UFC champion is the promotional activities. This past week I was honored to be asked to appear on the cover Men’s Fitness magazine the February issue that comes out in January. It was good because they shot in one of the gyms where I train in New York, The Wat, so I also had the opportunity to train a little bit at the same time. Sometime people think that it’s easy to shoot photos, but it was an all-day process because you need to shoot approximately 50 pictures just to find one good shot. It was very exhausting, but it was also a lot of fun.
When I got back from New York, I got back on a plane and went to Toronto for a charity event organized by Bell Canada. The dinner was very good, and the show was very entertaining. I saw some of my friends, Georges Strombolopous, Michael Lansberg, and Georges Laraque. We were all there supporting a good cause, but enjoying ourselves at the same time.
I’m on my way to Brazil, but I stopped off in Chicago to see my training partner Patrick Cote fight for the world middleweight title against Anderson Silva. While I believe he was the first fighter to make it into the 3rd round against Anderson, it’s sad to see him lose the way that he did, because of a knee injury. Patrick has a loose ACL even before, and he had been able to fight 3 fights with it, but unfortunately this one was too much for his knee. I think he was doing pretty well against Anderson, and it was a smart strategy for him to bring the fight into the later rounds. I was very impressed by the performance of Thiago Alves he showed everybody why he belongs in the top fighters in the welterweight division. Of course, it’s up to the UFC, but I think he will be one of my next opponents pretty soon.
To read the rest of Georges St-Pierre’s latest blog post head to Yardbarker.com.
UFC welterweight champion Georges “Rush” St-Pierre blogs about his life as a professional mixed martial artist at Yardbarker.com. This excerpt originally appeared on St-Pierre’s Yardbarker.com blog and is syndicated on MMAFrenzy.com as part of a partnership between the two sites.
and coming from him it’s even more honorific. honorific????????????
Who else deserves a shot than alves ? I am not a huge alves fan , but , he has beaten enough people to deserve a shot ….. kinda like florian who keeps getting tested when he already earned a shot .they just keep saying “one more ” …. nah … these guys have earned it already , why just put it off ?
George is a class act and deserves his black belt. At least we know who and how he got it from, unlike some other fighters on tv.
Besides the Pitbull who does he have to face at Welterweight?
BJ Penn don’t count.
Jake Sheilds (you did not specify, that it had to be a UFC fighter)
BJ Penn counts
But seriously GSP is a class congats to him on the black belt……
I was going to say Shields as well, hope the UFC gets his contract.
Yeah honorific doesn’t seem like a word to me haha, but congrats on the black belt even though i thought he already had one.
I had to wiki honorific:
An honorific is a word or expression that conveys esteem or respect when used in addressing or referring to a person. “Honorific” may refer broadly to the style of language or particular words or grammatical markings used in this way, including words used to express honor to one perceived as a social superior. Sometimes the term is used not quite correctly to refer to a title of honor (honorary title).
gsp is good we all no that but he has shown he can be beat ie the serra fight, so to answer ur question timcat ide say there are alot of fighters that could upset gsp, yeah hes guna be fav but 90% of the time the champ is always fav thats why there the champ.
Now, take what JOHNBOY said, apply it to Anderson Silva and get shouted down by the mob.
Before being critical, do some research. English isn’t even his first language. What are your excuses?
*kinda off topic*
in the WW division it doesnt seem like there is much challenge for GSP worldwide
GSP
Alves
Fitch
Kos
Sheilds
Sanchez
Thompson
Condit
Karo
Hughes
these are my personal “rankings” but as u can see other than Alves, GSP doesnt have many challengers to his title… bring on the SuperFight, then no matter who wins or loses~~~ GSP v Alves imo
Silva is in a similar situation
Silva
Filho
Hendo
Lawler
Franklin
Lietes
Marquardt
Akiyama
Okami
Trigg
we know that Filho and Silva wont fight anytime soon if at all, Lawler might get signed he might not… possibly Lietes soon but mostlikely Okami would be next for Silva but really he doesnt have many challengers as well…. Cung hasnt fought in forever and to my knowledge doesnt plan on fighting til the early parts of 2009 hence he isnt in this list..
maybe Silva going to 205 is in the cards for his next fight? just a random thought
sheilds will get worked by fitch sanchez koscheck alves and gsp ufc is a whole different level
gsp has got his next 2 fights sorted 1st bj 2nd alves, then im sure we will have another 170 guy deserveing a shot after those to fights, anderson silva has got 1st okami (which most people want to see except me) 2nd cote defop gets another shot 3rd winner of bisping vs hendo/franklin 4th nate marquardt that surly takes up another year, and im sure once again there will be another contender come along in that time, plus he wants fights at 205 the list goes on in that division, so people need to stop being so negative about these so called unstopable guys cos mark my word bj will beat gsp and………….. bisping will beat silva. (thats for FR702)
Thx JohnBoy you’re wrong but hell why not…. Cote is going to be out a good 6~8 months after his surgery and mind u Silva perhaps will “retire” and the end of his contract with the UFC…. Okami, I want to see him fight Silva just to get back the Rumble on the Rock fight..
I do believe after fighting Penn GSP will fight Alves dispite the outcome, if GSP loses to Penn (which I think will happen) GSP fight Alves and wins, BJ v GSP III
i got three challengers for silva right here … lawler … Cung and last but certainly not least gegard mousasi— I am also tempted to say ronaldo souza but havent seen enough of him to rate his striking although his BJJ is world class .
Jacare is very talented but I don’t think he would be up to take on Silva he would most like eat a knee shooting in… Lawler is logical and quite possibly could happen soon yet if Scott Smith can trade with him and and rock Robbie what would Silva do to him?? Cung Le hasn’t fought in what seems to be forever and that would be a great match I would take Silva to win but Cung is a phenom his striking is some of the best in the world good fight…
Mousasi, interesting.. I picked him to win the GP and I told people he was underrated, his ground game is top notch and his striking is solid, I think towards the end of 2009 and if he could keep his win streak going he would be able to take on Silva I would enjoy the hell out of that fight.. Perhaps Mousasi v Le in StrikeForce that too would be awesome display of their talents, cheers…
yeah FR702
it has been a while for cung not to fight — but — i dont think he is sitting around doing nothing . he probably training daily , just not for any given fight yet . mousasi will be a superstar in the middleweight division for years to come … but what better way to show his arrival than a late 2009 matchup with silva . I like silva …. its just that everyone is on the “unbeatable” train and i dont agree . he IS the best in the UFC …. but considering that there are 3 fighters elsewhere who may be able to change that opinion .. its hard to say the best in the world .Especially when they think fedor would be a good opponent for him … fedor fighting silva is like putting marvin hagler in the ring with ali ,,, both are world class ….. BUT !!!!
FR720, You don’t think Condit should be a little higher on your ratings???
Cote deserves another shot at Silva!!
Timcat,
Love the avatar!
nev-o.
I am tired of arguin the greatness that is Jake Shields because it is starting to feel like I am jackin off a strap on….. Nothin is ever going to come of it unless Shields does come to the UFC and fight. You sir, as of now, speak with little frame of reference. Just another fan unfamaliar with Shields. The names you mentioned would surely be great challenges for Shields but the bottom line and truth is we do not KNOW! Not yet. Leave Shields alone or my army of midgets will rape your favorite fighter!
Doom that last line was kinda funny and I get totally what u mean
SurfingK5, I could have put Condit higher forsure I definately could have switched Sanchez and him, I think Condit is a awesome fighter and extremely talented I just can’t put him higher than Sheilds til he gets back that loss….. But could switch Sanchez and him forsure cheers….
KOuch, choose your words wisely sir…talk like that might get some of these freaks turned on. Threats of strap-ons and midgets??? lol
FR702, there are certainly some match-ups that are must see. Just not enough time in this life…bummer
It’s nice to see GSP staying aware of what is going on in his life and not letting the fame get to his head. I think that a true champion recognizes that their are always up and commers getting better and better and that only means that even though your not fightin you have to step your game up. eg. chucky, he thought that his game was unstoppable, got into the blow and ladies and now can’t get the knock-out if his life depended on it. I guess what i’m trying to say is i’m glad GSP’s head is still on his shoulders and I hope he reamins champ for a while.
SurfingK5, are u buddisht by chance? have you ever sat under a bodhi tree?
(and no im not being sarcastic, no disrespectful)
BJ Penn does not count as someone GSP NEEDS (note the word needs, not should) to face until he moves up permanently. I’m still pissed over the lose-lose they’ve dealt GSP with the Penn rematch.
Scenario 1: GSP whoops his ass. Sweet. Just one problem. HE whooped a lightweight. As he should. Gets the W, gains no respect because he beat a guy who normally fights at 155. That would be Like Anderson Silva beating Matt Serra.
Scenario 2: Loses his belt. No longer champion, lost it to a lightweight.
On BJ’s side, we have a win-win.
Scenario 1: Loses the fight. Doesn’t lose his title. Lost to a welterweight when he is naturally a lightweight. No losing face in that matchup.
Scenario 2: Wins the fight, holds two belts, gains the title of best p4p.
Where is the equality in this? If BJ loses to GSP he should lose the title (goes vacant) and the top 4 contenders battle it out tournament style over the next 6 months to see who gets it.
But that won’t happen. It would make too much sense.
PS. IF Silva refuses to fight Filho or anyone else for any reason, his new name will be Anderson Noons.
I try my ass off to be as Buddhist as I can be. However, given the life I’ve led and established over the years it’s not easy. You can’t just drop everything. Not in these times.
Never sat beneath the bodhi tree.
If BJ loses he does lose face because he called out GSP and GSP accepted the fight he just asked for extended time to get healthier
DbiZ I do see where u are coming from and if GSP wins its not just losing to a LW its beating BJ Penn again.
Filho never called out Silva, and Silva isn’t ducking anyone. Diaz called out Noons and Noons refused to fight him soo I believe you analogy is off base but that’s your opionion cheers..