From MMA Junkie

LOS ANGELES – Georges St-Pierre is grappling with UFC fans’ expectations.

St-Pierre, one of MMA’s most popular stars and a six-time UFC welterweight champion, said he’s frustrated with the reaction to his most recent victory over Dan Hardy at UFC 111.

But the champion is more than willing to meet head-on the critics who say he plays it safe.

“That’s true,” St-Pierre (20-2 MMA, 15-2 UFC) told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) on Monday evening as he honed his mat moves with jiu-jitsu coach Shawn Williams at a Renzo Gracie Academy school in the Mid-Wilshire district. “I fight safe, and I’m not going to hide it.”

…

“I’m fighting safe,” St-Pierre admitted. “Every time I step into the octagon, my life is in jeopardy. For me, it’s more important to not get hit than to hit the guy. I will never fight in a way [in which] I fight like I flip a coin.

“I never took risks. The only fight I took a risk was when I fought Matt Serra, and I went in a stupid exchange, and it was not smart. I got caught; Serra beat me fair and square, and he deserved the victory that night. But it taught me a good lesson, and I don’t want it to happen again.”

St-Pierre said playing it safe also applies to his stand-up skills in a fight.

“When I’m standing up, I hit the guy, (and) I pick my angle, and I’m smart,” he said. “I’m not afraid to say it: I’m not a brawler, and I’m not a coward. I’m not going to trade punch one-for-one with a guy. I’m going to hit the guy and not get hit. That’s a smart way to fight.”

The champion said he’s seen many examples of fighters who don’t fight smart and have paid the price.

“I’m not going to give names, but if I would tell you names, you would know who’s a brawler (and) who’s not and who now has a problem with his career because he got hit too much,” St-Pierre said. “They can’t take a punch anymore.”

Next up for St-Pierre is a fifth title defense against Josh Koscheck, whom he defeated nearly three years ago by unanimous decision. The two will soon head to Las Vegas to coach opposing teams on “The Ultimate Fighter 12.”

St-Pierre said he wants to knock the fuzzy-haired fighter “out cold,” but he won’t do so at the expense of his smarts.

“I don’t fight like an idiot,” St-Pierre said. “That’s what defines me. I’m (not the) champion because I’m the strongest guy in the division. It’s not because I’m the fastest guy. I’m not the best grappler. I’m not the best striker. I’m not the best wrestler. But why I’m champion is because I fight smart every single fight.

“It’s like F-1; you need a good driver and a good car. If you have a very good driver but a bad driver, you’re not going to win the race. If you have a very good driver and a bad car, you’re not going to win, either. So I have a good car and a good driver, which is even more important.”

I am conflicted with this news, granted its not really surprising for anyone who has seen the last couple of title defenses from the UFC’s welterweight champ. While taking the surest path to victory is the smart thing to do for a prize fighter in regards to making money. It may also lead to fans turning on you.

GSP is stylistically and methodologically similar in many ways to undefeated boxing champ and future hall of famer Floyd Mayweather. Both fighters highly skilled, obsessive in their training and technique wise execute textbook maneuvers time and time again. The similarities do not end their as both fighters also put a high premium on taking as little damage as possible. While Mayweather is regarded as the biggest villain in boxing due to his brash and cocksure bravado, GSP maintains a respectful demeanor so rigid that he is usually unable to engage in pre fight hype and trash talk.

My inner fight fan and wannabe fight analyst are in conflict over this news. Then again this must be daunting to the contenders who want the belt knowing that they are facing a champ who has no problem neutralizing you for 25 minutes so he can keep his belt. He may be on the top of the world now, but time will tell if his tactics will be looked back on as the praise worthy displays of skill they are seen as now.

Thanks to mmaweekly.com for the pic.

In depth article from the 3rd man in the ring, long time MMA referee Dan Miragliotta gives his account of the post fight foul blow.

Article from Micheal David Smith of MMAFighting.com,

Everyone was shocked. Koscheck afterward said that he said something to egg Daley on. Did you hear what he said to him?
Koscheck the last minute or so, had his head to Daley’s side. He must have said something because I heard Daley say something back to him. With mouthpieces on and I’m standing a few feet away, I didn’t hear what either one of them said. You can’t hear them when they’re that close to each other. They weren’t yelling at each other.
In the Kimbo Slice-Matt Mitrione fight, Kimbo had apologized for putting his fingers close to Mitrione’s eyes during the fight. And Mitrione goes, ‘Don’t worry about it, bro.’ That was during the fight and that one I heard because they were standing up. I didn’t hear a word [Koscheck and Daley] said.

Did you see any anger in Daley’s face those last few seconds?
I saw frustration. He couldn’t stop Josh from taking him down and controlling him on the ground. From what I heard of the pre-fight interviews, they both said they were going to make this a standup battle, and it wasn’t that way. Josh played his card rights and did what he had to do to win the fight. Daley was frustrated that it didn’t go his way. He’s a great fighter. Dana said many times the kid had such good potential. And honestly he’s always been respectful to me. I’ve met him a couple times and he’s always been nice and respectful. I was very shocked…

The interview also covered the not so illegal blow from earlier in the bout.

Can you touch on the illegal knee in the fight? It was hard to tell if it really hit Koscheck, though he said it did. At first it looked like you took away a point but then we found out you didn’t. Can you explain what happened?
There was definitely confusion there because I never took a point away. I thought the knee missed him at first. But when Josh reacted the way he did, I thought, ‘I guess I missed it.’ We’re not perfect, we’re human. But I really thought it missed him. So Josh looked at me, held his head and said, ‘The knee, the knee.’

I stopped the fight real quick and decided to bring the doctor in. They don’t really get a break for that. It was intentional, because he was on the ground and [Daley] threw it right at his head, but if it didn’t make contact, no points could be taken away. When the doctor came in and looked at it, it gave me time to watch the replay on the monitors in the arena. It clearly showed on every angle it didn’t hit him, it didn’t brush him. It maybe hit his hair. I finally watched the fight again yesterday and Joe Rogan said, ‘He got hit with an illegal knee. Dan Miragliotta has to take a point away.’ He was adamant about it. But then he saw it on instant replay and said, ‘Oh no, that never hit him.’

I really didn’t think it hit him. His head didn’t move. When you get hit with a knee, your head’s going to go back. His head didn’t budge. When I saw the replay, I told the doctor to please leave the ring, I told Josh to get up, and I said there was no contact and no point was taken away. Between rounds Joe Rogan asked Mike Goldberg to clarify it with me, and I told him there was never a point deduction. Then they cleared it up on the air.

If it was an Illegal blow like that, not only do I have to take a point away, I could take up to two points if it creates damage, and it could be a disqualification if the fighter couldn’t continue. But we got it sorted out.

He also commented on his not so good luck from past events.

Why do you always seem to be involved in these crazy things, Dan?
[Laughing] I told [Counsel to the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board] Nick Lembo he’s got the hex on me. I get some crazy things. I got big shoulders, I can take the abuse. But that’s why I don’t go on the internet. Everybody’s got a comment to make. Hopefully this time it’s good comments.

Considering that he actually did a good job in such a volatile and unpredictable fight, I will give props where they are due, Good job Dan. There, don’t ever say the internet is all heckling and negativity…its just more often than not is all.

Before the main event of last weekends UFC, there was a co main event welterweight title eliminator between TUF alum Josh Koscheck and English slugger Paul Daley. Starting with a well documented pre fight war of words the two displayed a spirited dislike for one another. But from the pre fight presser to the weigh ins for the event it was apparent that the online sniping and chastising was masking real and palpable loathing for one another.

Then came the actual fight, which ended up looking like your average striker vs grappler bout with the grappler maintaining dominant position for the entirety of the bout. As far as fights between two top 10 opponents vying for a title shot goes this was still a pretty unremarkable fight all around. It also was the second fight in a row in which an illegal strike (knee to a crouching opponent) grazed the pompadour of Josh Koscheck, who still reacted as if he took the blow flush to the temple and was allowed to recover despite multiple angles of slo-mo replay saying otherwise. But that and the entire fight paled in comparison to the following 10 seconds after the final bell of the bout.

After getting up Paul Daley followed Koscheck to give what most would think was going to be some sort of post fight embrace of good sportsmanship, but what was transpired was thecomplete opposite. Daley struck Koscheck with a cheap shot left hook that was blocked and was immediately separated by the referee Dan Mirgliotta and so began the what now seems to be the end of his career in the UFC

From MMA Junkie,

“He’s done,” White said after the event. “I don’t give a [expletive] if he’s the best 170-pounder in the world. He’ll never come back here again.

“There’s no excuse for that. These guys are professional athletes. You don’t ever hit a guy blatantly after the bell like that, whether you’re frustrated or not. It was probably one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen because he is a talented guy, and he is one of the best 170-pounders in the world.”

Given a day to rethink his actions and stew in the resentment of his own designs, Daley did the right thing and issued an apology. Here it is in its entirety,

“I’ve had a long flight home to consider my actions and regret the mistake I made on Saturday. I would like to apologise to the UFC and the Athletic Commission for what I’ve done as well as all the fans and sponsors that support me.”

“I would also like to offer my sincerest apologies to Josh Koscheck who did not deserve the cheap shot I threw. He did what he needed to do in order to win the fight and get the job done, and I foolishly reacted to the situation. There is no excuse for my actions and I know what I did was very unprofessional. I was immensely frustrated by a collection of things that took place throughout the fight as well as leading up to it, but I’m certainly not trying to condone or excuse my actions.”

“Josh implemented his game plan perfectly taking me down and staying on top of me for the majority of the fight. I was also frustrated about him claiming (and acting like) I knee’d him in the head on the ground when it was clear for all to see in the video replay that I didn’t connect at all with the knee I threw. Then finally, the verbal abuse Josh hit me with in the final 30 seconds of the fight simply pushed me over the edge and my frustrations came out as I knew I’d lost the fight, was unhappy with my own performance and had then been ridiculed by my opponent to top things off.”

“This is certainly no excuse for my actions; I fully deserve to be punished for what I did and hope that everyone I have disappointed can forgive my rash decision. I feel very disappointed in myself for losing my cool and hope that I am able to address my temperament and bounce back from this low point in my career.”

“I feel ashamed and embarrassed by what I did and hope that together my team and I can get through this issue. It will be a long road back from where I am now to earning the trust and respect of the UFC and the MMA fans that have supported me for so long, I know I’ve let you all down but I’m determined to make it up to you all.”

Now comes the waiting game for any following developments to what seems will be an ongoing process of arbitration and or adjudication for what really happened. Koscheck has admitted to using abusive language which Daley alluded to being the reason why he lashed out. Both the in cage smack talk and post fight blow fall under fouls as stated by the UFC’s rules

24. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.

27. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.

As cliche as it is two errors of judgment do not inexplicably justify themselves nor do they cancel each other out. What should hopefully transpire is a full review of the incident with suspensions and fines handed to the guilty parties. But a instant life time ban just seems way to reactionary and knee jerk for a major sports organization.

Infinitely more heinous acts have transpired in other major sports leagues from the rampant PED and steroid use in the MLB. NBA stars having altercations involving firearms being drawn. Or the NFL and their having to deal with their stars being accused of sexual assault along with other players convicted of
vehicular manslaughter.

Compared to those incidents a blocked cheap shot may seem negligible, but it should be dealt with in the same manner as any other major sports orgs, by first letting the guilty parties be subjected to the law of the land. After that’s been dealt with then fine, suspended or combine the punishment and when that is done let the athlete redeem themselves and compete.

Hopefully cooler heads will prevail in the end in regards to Daleys outburst. People make mistakes but I personally believe if own up to your error make an effort to change and do better, you should be given a second chance.

The UFC is north of the border in Montreal, Canada to host the rematch of one of 2009’s most controversial decisions. In the main event light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida must prove again that he is the better fighter than Mauricio “Shogun” Rua who took the undefeated and seemingly invincible champ to a razor close decision that most people (myself included) thought Machida lost. Here is my breakdown of the main card.

Main Event: Light Heavyweight Championship

(Champ) Lyoto Machida vs. (Challenger) Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

Even though I thought Shogun won the first bout, it wasn’t by much. When it comes down to it an in shape and focused Mauricio Rua can give any light heavy problems, even the great Machida. That being said, this fight can easily go either way, both fighters have some the most technical striking in the division along with the best defense and speed. Machida is just as dangerous with his defense & counter striking as Shogun is with his calculated and pervasive offense coupled with his ability to cover up and move out of harms way. Its a toss up but I have to choose.

- Shogun via sub

Co-Main Event

Paul Daley vs. Josh Koscheck

With a well documented war of words behind them & a title shot on the line, the true battle begins for Kos & Semtex. Daley has the edge on striking but everything else goes to Josh.

- Koscheck via gnp tko

Heavyweight
Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson vs. Matt Mitrione

Both heavyweights are still pretty green and like to stand and bang. Seeing as Kimbo doesn’t have the best of chins & is pretty slow even by heavyweight standards and is highly susceptible to leg kicks. Meathead has holes too but unless Kimbo has drastically improved his wrestling and bjj, I don’t see him winning.

- Mitrione via more commitmentship

Middleweight
Alan Belcher vs. Patrick Cote

Even though I am getting a very strong vibe that my “Don’t pick a fighter coming back from a year long injury and recovery” rule is about to get broken, I will stick too it.

- Belcher via distracting Cote with his horrible tattoo and sucker punch KO

Lightweight
Jeremy Stephens vs. Sam Stout

Stephens been out of the game since 2008, so factor that in and the fact that Stout has been looking like a man on a mission lately. Things don’t look too good for Jeremey, this fight is also a shoe in for one of the bonuses unless one of the prelim fighters do something amazing.

- Stout via beatdown

Props to MMA Junkie for the Tom Lawlor as Dan Severen photo.