The UFC’s return to the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada delivered in spades to say the least. The return of UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre was met with a raucous reaction as he and Carlos Condit unified the welterweight titles. The bout turned out to be an instant-classic, and would earn both men bonuses along with Johny Hendricks and Ivan Menjivar.
GSP and Carlos Condit did battle for five rounds, as “The Natural Born Killer” tested St-Pierre like no one had in years.While the longtime champion’s wrestling was inevitably the deciding factor of the fight, the Albuquerque native consistently fought off of his back by threatening with various submission attempts and a barrage of bottom strikes. It was the third round, however, that was the most telling of the champ’s toughness. Condit connected with a brutal high kick, dropping the champion, and immediately went for the kill. Georges not only survived, but was able to control much of the round afterward. At the final bell, the faces of both men showed the signs of a war, one that would earn them a $70,000 “Fight of The Night” bonus as GSP would retain.
It seemed elementary in choosing the “Knockout of the Night” winner behind the 46-second demolition Johny Hendricks treated Martin Kampmann to in their welterweight tilt. The notoriously tough “Hitman” found himself floored and unconscious after a grazing right hand that was followed by a brutal left hook, ending his night.
Similarly, Ivan Menjivar finds himself $70k richer after locking up a an armbar, reminiscent of Fedor Emelianenko at the height of his reign of terror, in the first stanza of his bantamweight bout with Azamat Gashimov. “The Pride of El Salvador” was working for an ezekial choke from his guard, but abandoned it, scoring a picture-perfect armbar from his back, leaving the Russian no choice but to tap as he went belly-down at 2:44.
Latest
I’d like to think my PPV money went to these bonus’. Worth it
What a great night, the atmosphere in the Bell Centre was amazing. Whenever GSP was shown on the titantron the crowd would cheer, and when he actually started his entrance to the cage it was deafening.
Yeah of course there newf. he was playing another home game. not the first or second time he like to play home games. I bet if he had it his way he would only fight in Montreal.
Another decision. really should lose the “RUSH” nickname eh?
So what, he’ upposed to turn down fights at home? Who would do that, and why?
And as far as “another decision,” did Conditfinish him? Did Condit even win? In 7 straight title defenses, has ANYONE beat or finished him? No. So that whole decision shiit goes both ways.
Exactly @Advent,
And what’s with the name change idea? I’ve never thought of GSP’s ‘rush’ nickname as meaning he’s in some kind of rush to finish fights… More like when he rushs you good luck stopping him.
It was Gashimov that was working for the ezekial choke from the top not the other way around.
I thought the Menjivar finish was awesome, at 30 years old he has so much experience and has won 4 out of 5 in the UFC only losing to Eastman…look forward to seeing him again…well worth it for sub of the night.