It was over five years in the making and the grudge match that was Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz failed to meet my expectations, and perhaps I only have myself to blame.
The event itself was an emotional roller coaster for fans, capped off by the co-main event between welterweight contenders Carlos Condit and Johny Hendricks. The latter emerged victorious, securing himself a title shot and what many already believed was a lock for Fight of the Night.
I casually informed my media colleagues to review their history books — generally speaking, no matter what happens on a GSP headlined card, never assume a FOTN bonus is a lock until the Canadian is done doing his work. In my mind, Georges already had one hand on the $50,000 bonus. Unfortunately, it was so he could give it over to Hendricks or Condit.
The anticipation I harboured for the GSP vs. Diaz bout was often subdued in the interest of professionalism. But I made it clear during one of the Sportsnet broadcasts that if I was a fan, this would be my GSP vs. Silva superfight. I’ve dealt with the GSP and Diaz fans for years, but more specifically the Diaz clan, as they spat venom in my direction that their idol was robbed of his glory by Georges.
Every time GSP fought, the Diaz fans would pipe up informing me how Diaz would one day destroy my fellow Canadian. When Nick would fight, they would remind me that his performance was just a tune up for his eventual showdown with St-Pierre and when they would meet he would destroy “Captain Canada.”
I just wanted to see these two finally square off and settle the never ending debate. In my analysis, I felt a definitive finish was required because the long list of excuses from the losing camp’s fan base was already teed up in my mind. The only way to silence the majority of them was for Georges or Nick to secure a knockout or tap out. If the referee stopped the bout, then the “he should have let him continue” argument would rear its ugly head. If it went to a decision, I knew there would be some sort of controversy.
To wit, I received two tweets, immediately after the decision was announced. Although it was another five-round domination by the champ, my timeline saw Diaz fans stating, “GSP couldn’t finish a book,” quickly followed by, “GSP couldn’t finish a sentence.” And so it began…
I’m of the opinion Georges, who apparently suffered from a high before on fight day, played a smart game vs. Diaz, not necessarily a safe game. If anyone has watched Diaz compete before, he has no issues giving up his back, as he uses it to set up reversals and submissions, the moment his opponent attempts to secure rear mount. St-Pierre knew this, so for five rounds, controlled the American while riding position, re-establishing his base if necessary, while punching his way to victory.
A victory is a victory and kudos to Georges for pulling it off, but it would have been sweeter if either he scored a finish, or if Diaz became the new welterweight champ. Instead, it was another case of déjà vu. For the first time ever, I saw something in GSP that I never thought my mind would convince me to believe. It’s as if the writing is on the wall — the beginning of the end is upon us.
It appears the greatest UFC welterweight of all time is on his way out the door. I’m wondering if there are two, maybe three fights left in his career. Prior to the Condit bout, he told the world how he missed the sport so much and was so excited to return. In his next bout, his demeanour flipped to a fighter sick and tired of the media game and the immense demands of a champion — all in the span of four months.
He has all the money in the world and can retire peacefully, worrying more about how to invest his money than how to defend a kick to his head. I look forward to the Hendricks bout, but after that it’s anyone’s guess as to what GSP will do with his career. GSP needs to be motivated and I don’t believe a bout vs. “The Big Rig” does that for him. It should, but I don’t believe it does.
And before you say Anderson Silva motivates him, step away for a moment, and think about it rationally.