This Saturday, at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California, George "Rush" St. Pierre will Challenge Matt Hughes for his welterweight title for the second time at UFC 65. Since losing to Hughes two years ago, George has gone defeated a who’s who in MMA, notching wins over Jason Miller, Frank Trigg, Sean Shrek, and, perhaps the biggest feather in his cap, former P4P stud B.J Penn. With a murderer’s row like that, the Montreal native has more than earned another shot against Matt Hughes, the only man to ever beat him and arguably the greatest welterweight in the history of the sport.
In their first fight, George, to the surprise of many, was physically dominating Hughes until he was caught in an arm bar with just seconds left in the first round. George has all the tools needed to become a champion; an abundance of skills either standing or on the ground, frightening athleticism, and strength to match anyone’s—even the preternaturally powerful Hughes. But what makes George stand out from the rest, and has helped him transcend from a popular Canadian champ to an international superstar, is his uncompromising integrity, admirable attitude, and humble demeanor. In a brutal sport, kindness and compassion such as his is a rare commodity. Yet it is these genuine personality traits, showed off time and again, that has made George among the most beloved warriors in the sport. In this FightBeat exclusive, a confident GSP tells us why he’s native is on the verge of becoming the new UFC champ.
JB: What's up, George! Welcome to Fightbeat.com.
GSP: Thank you for having me.
JB: Your re-match with Matt Hughes is this Saturday. It is a fight you have been begging for, for two years. What can we expect from you on Saturday night?
GSP: Saturday is the fight of my life. It's the second time I'm fighting with him. I truly believe in myself and I can't wait for it.
JB: The originally scheduled date was postponed due to a groin injury. How is your health now?
GSP: I am a 110%. I took the time to heal it, and I'm ready for Saturday.
JB: You lost your first fight with Matt. Why will this fight be different?
GSP: I think I’ve proved more than he has since our last fight. This time I don't see him as a guy I'm looking up to, I see him as an underdog opponent.
JB: B.J Penn laid a blue print on how to beat Matt Hughes that you are more then capable of following: Stuff the takedown and force him to stand with you, where he is weak and vulnerable. Did you learn anything from that fight?
GSP: I did not learn anything! Matt Hughes didn't have a good first and second round, but he came back strong in the third, and showed everyone why he's the champion. I know Matt's fighting style very well. I know his strengths and weaknesses. Saturday I will execute my strategy and win the world title!
JB: Do think B.J suffered an injury or just gassed out in his fight with Matt?
GSP: I think he gassed out. He was not in as in good shape as he was against me.
JB: At the conclusion of Hughes’ recent fight with Penn, you went into the octagon and uttered the now infamous statement, "I was not impressed by your performance." What motivated you to do that?
GSP: It was a mistake. I misunderstood. I thought Matt Hughes was talking bad about me. I regret what I said. I just exploded because I thought he was insulting me once again. I went to his locker room after that to apologize. Sometimes it takes more courage to apologize than the mistake itself.
JB: Matt has taken some verbal swipes at you about your heritage. And on an episode of the Ultimate Fighter Season 4 he taunted you about your first fight with him. What do you think of Matt as a person, honestly?
GSP: I don't mind what he says; he's just trying to get in my head. But it's not going to work. Me, I don't do trash-talking. I do my talking with my fists in the octagon, and I will be doing that Saturday. When you trash-talk and you can't back it up, you look like a fool. I'm going to be the champion Saturday night, and I don't need to talk to do that.
JB: The UFC pay per view is going head-to-head with the Erik Morales-Manny Pacquiao boxing match on HBO pay per view. Do you think it will affect the economic success of your event?
GSP: I hope my fight is very successful. Only the future will tell us. I think the UFC did a great thing by taking the chance.
JB: Do you have a prediction for the co-main event, Tim Sylvia vs. Jeff Monson?
GSP: If the fight stays standing, Tim will win. If the fight goes to the ground, and Monson is able to get on top, I think he will win.
JB: You were a coach on this past season’s Ultimate fighter 4. What was that experience like?
GSP: It was a great experience. I learned not only from the coaches but also the competitors, and I became a better fighter after that.
JB: What was it like working with Randy Courtier?
GSP: It was good not only from the technical side but also the mental side. He's very nice to teach me how to see fights.
JB: Do you think he will ever fight again?
GSP: I don't know. You can never say never. But whatever he is going to do, I'm still going to be his number #1 fan.
JB: If you have ever been on any MMA forums, you would know there's no shortage of misguided hate and fighter bashing. But when your name comes up, the conversation usually turns positive. What is it about you that makes fans respect you so much?
GSP: I don't watch the forums. People can say whatever they want. They don't know the sport very well and they say some not very nice things about me. My friends tell me the bad things they say.
JB: Well, there will always be haters, George. But from what I observed, I think people respect you and see you encompass a rare combination of being a genuinely humble, nice guy, along with being a great fighter.
GSP: Ahhh perfect! You are touching me saying such nice things.
JB: (laughs) I just call ‘em like I see them, George.
GSP: Thank you for that.
JB: You used to work as a bouncer for some clubs in Montréal. Do you have any crazy stories you can share with our audience?
GSP: I never had to use my strength. I always used my brains to solve problems. Every time there was a problem with a guy, I would tell them to come outside because the music is so loud and I can't hear them. I would then just thank them for that and tell them to have a nice night. Then I would tell the doorman to not let them back into the club. I solved all my problems with talking, never with my arms or strength. I can't say the same for some of my co-workers. There were some big guys guy, like 250 pounds, and they would solve problems with violence. But not me, I always used talking. See, in the street, you can be as good of a fighter as you want, but no one is faster than a bullet.
JB: Yeah, what about superman?
GSPP: Superman is the best. He’s different.
JB: Who's the more popular fighter in Montréal, you or Arturo Gatti?
GSPP: Arturo Gatti. Boxing is more popular than MMA.
JB: Do you think the UFC will ever come to Canada to do a show?
GSPP: Absolutely. If I become champion, then I think my dream will come true, and I will be able to fight in front of my people.
JB: What do you think about Diego Sanchez as a future opponent?
GSPP: I don't think about that guy right now. He's a very intelligent and dangerous fighter. Right now, all I'm thinking about is Matt Hughes.
JB: How many fights do you have left on your contract with the UFC?
GSPP: I have two more fights on my contract.
JB: Do you have any aspirations to conquer any other organizations?
GSPP: Not yet. I am happy with the UFC.
JB: Is there anything you would like to say in closing?
GSPP: I would like to thank all my fans for their support, and they will have a new champion Saturday!
