GSP on Dan Hardy: "I am a martial artist. He probably doesn't understand the meaning of this."
by Natalia Baage on March 12, 2010

"I am a martial artist. He is not. He probably doesn't understand the meaning of this. After the fight, I guarantee he will. I always put my goal very high. I reach the point that I'm not only fighting to win. For this fight I will be the best Georges St. Pierre to ever win. I am the most confident guy I have ever been in my life. I got the athleticism, the knowledge, the experience of championship fights. I got everything on my side. One round I can strike with him and try to knock him out. The next, I can try to put him down and submit him. He doesn't know what I'm going to do to him. I can do it all."  - Georges St. Pierre

The battle of the welterweight championship is two weeks away, and George St. Pierre is pretty certain he's going to win. In an interview with UFC.com, St. Pierre spoke about his improvements over the last nine months.

While George St. Pierre is often considered to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, his record currently stands at 19-2, having lost to Matt Hughes (in their first match up) and Matt Serra (in a surprise upset for the belt). But St. Pierre doesn't see an upset happening this month when he takes on Dan Hardy at UFC 111.

The U.K. fighter has already started hyping this fight by asking the fans, "How many of your favorite fighters do I have to beat before you believe the hype?"  While Hardy has acknowledged that St. Pierre is a great athlete, he said that his stand up is stronger than the champion's, and that he will be looking to keep the fight standing.

But the last five times St. Pierre has stepped into the Octagon, he has shown how devastating his fight game can be, coupling his striking with some impressive wrestling and ground and pound. Thiago Alves, B.J. Penn, Serra, Jon Fitch and Hughes have all been at the losing end of a title bout against him in the past two and a half years.

While UFC President Dana White has said that St. Pierre's stand up game is his weaker suit, the Canadian said that he feels strong on his feet. While Hardy is known for his striking, St. Pierre said that he will also be looking to trade on his feet with Hardy, confident that he can win that battle, too.

With a sold out crowd waiting in Newark, N.J., the bout between St. Pierre and Hardy is sure to be a war. On March 27, the two welterweights will battle it out to see if the champion will remain the same or if there will be a changing of the guards.

Make sure to check back with us the day of the event for free, live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 111 right here at FiveKnuckles.com! Join expert analyst Mike Williams as he takes you through the entire fight card blow-by-blow and then keep it right here for all the post-fight news and notes you can handle!

 |  (58) Comments Elvis Freshley: I can't say enough things about GSP and I expect him to silence a lot of critics with a very solid stand up showing. GSP's confidence is unwavering and Hardy's hunger and confidence is sky high...I really didn't think much of this match when it was announced but consider me a victim of the hype machine because now I can't wait for it. JujitsWho: I wasn't crazy about GSP saying Hardy isn't a Martial Artist honestly. Dan has been in martial artist since he was six years old, holds a BB in TKD, a purple belt in BJJ, and has studied Boxing and MT for years. I think anyone in this sport deserves the respect of being called a martial artist. You can say you are a better, or a more well rounded martial artist than him (all very true BTW) but to flat say he knows nothing was a rare dick move on his part.....at least IMO. Granted Hardy has been talking a lot of shit leading up to the fight and making jokes, but to my knowleadge it hasn't been mean spirited toward GSP. Its not like this was some blatant evil shit GSP said. I guess its just that I'm not used to seeing him make jabs like this at people......If this comment came from anyone else I probably wouldn't have even noticed, but GSP saying it makes me raise an eyebrow. The guy sets the standard for class and respect usually. Like I said though, it wasn't bad..just one of those comments that makes you go "Oh...Wow, ok". Just seemed like something Matt Hughes would say is all. Either way, GSP sounds a bit pissy and that doesn't translate to a good night for Hardy IwishIwasMMA: Hardy IS a Martial Artist without a doubt. GSP is wrong in that sense and i could see how he could come off disrespectful with that comment to a lot of fans (especially you "across the ponders" :D) but I think he meant Mixed Martial Artist. I dont believe Hardy is that yet... He is good at couple martial arts... but to be a TRUE MMA guy you cant just depend on your striking.. because one day someone is going to take you down, and you are going to have to fight off of your back... and a purple belt is not going to save you on the ground (at least IMO) against the best and beasts of the WW div. HappyHamer: Hardy IS a martial artist. Unfortunately for him, and every other WW in the division, he is not a GSP level martial artist. I find it interesting that GSP doesn't state what he thinks Hardy is, if not a martial artist. Is he just a brawler, a kickboxer or what? Sounds like Nice GSP is bored, and has made way for a much different attitude, and that is not good for any WW. Wandering_Minstrel: Looks like Hardy got on GSP's nerves. Hope you like the taste of canvas, Hardy, cuz you're gonna be good friends with it for 5 rounds. jonzero1: I hope Hardy doesn't read the article, GSP sounds the most determined he ever has which is scary. Due to the (slight) language barrier I forgive him for saying Hardy isn't a martial artist. Gotta give Georges the benefit of the doubt. EverlastingSpringtime: It does seem odd for GSP to say that the way he did, i think he trying to put hardy off his game. As if GSP is daring him to take him down. Or as an insult to say that he only has a stand up game. Hardy's reply to this will no doubt be to call GSP a one dimensional wrestler, daring him to stand with him. Or along those lines The Hitman: GSP has better standup, so im not sure what hardys plan is. he needs to pull a matt serra, which im 99% sure wont happen because GSP is training to make sure it doesnt. arlovskiviako: From this years Scouting Comine (NFL) QBs Tebow, Tim 38.5 Robinson, Zac 35.0 Brown, Jarrett 34.5 Skelton, John 33.5 Snead, Jevan 33.0 Hiller, Tim 32.5 Hall, Max 32.0 Kafka, Mike 32.0 RUNNING BACKS Hardesty, Montario 41.0 Tate, Ben 40.5 Dixon, Andre 40.0 Paschall, Pat 38.5 Gerhart, Toby 38.0 McCluster, Dexter 37.5 Bell, Joique 36.5 McKnight, Joe 36.5 Miller, Lonyae 36.5 Brown, Chris 36.0 James, Javarris 36.0 Starks, James 36.0 McNeal, Shawnbrey 36.0 Mathews, Ryan 36.0 WIDE RECEIVERS Long, Scott 41.5 Jones, Donald 41.0 Arnett, Alric 40.0 McGaha, Chris 40.0 Sanders, Emmanuel 39.5 Gilyard, Mardy 39.0 Williams, Damian 38.0 Benn, Arrelious 37.0 Price, Taylor 37.0 Reed, David 37.0 TIGHT ENDS Dickerson, Dorin 43.5 Harbor, Clay 40.0 Graham, Jimmy 38.5 McCoy, Anthony 35.5 Gresham, Jermaine 35.0 Graham, Garrett 34.5 Dickson, Ed 34.0 Moeaki, Tony 34.0 Pitta, Dennis 34.0 OFFENSIVE LINEMEN Williams, Trent 34.5 Smith, Shelley 34.0 Veldheer, Jared 33.5 Davis, Anthony 33.0 Degeare, Chris 32.5 Campbell, Bruce 32.0 Brown, Charles 31.5 Capers, Selvish 30.5 Olsen, Eric 29.5 Washington, Tony 29.5 Young, Sam 29.5 Saffold, Rodger 29.5 Welch, Thomas 29.0 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN Middleton, Greg 38.0 Misi, Koa 38.0 Worilds, Jason 38.0 Young, Willie 38.0 Te'o-Nesheim, Daniel 37.0 Woods, Al 37.0 Kindle, Sergio 36.5 McClellan, Albert 36.5 Moats, Arthur 36.5 Witten, Lindsey 36.5 LINEBACKERS Clayton, Keenan 41.5 Lawrence, Simoni 40.0 Watson, Dekoda 40.0 Weatherspoon, Sean 40.0 Beauchamp, Jason 39.5 Chaney, Jamar 39.0 McLaughlin, Mike 38.5 Lee, Sean 37.5 Norwood, Eric 36.5 Wilson, Kion 36.5 CORNERBACKS Jefferson, A.J. 44.0 Ross, Devin 40.0 Butler, Crezdon 39.5 Pender, David 39.0 Robinson, Patrick 39.0 Lindley, Trevard 38.5 SAFETIESName Height Berry, Eric 43.0 Mays, Taylor 41.0 Jones, Reshad 39.5 Stuckey, Darrell 39.5 Ceelarence: I had a 36" in HS with a drop step arlovskiviako: I posted Tim Tebow hitting 38.5"s you should be able to realize the part about white people not being able to jump was a joke. The Hitman: lets just say that he is athletic as shit and leave it at that
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Diaz def. Condit via TKO/KO
Diaz def. Condit via submission
Diaz def. Condit via decision
Condit def. Diaz via TKO/KO
Condit def. Diaz via submission
Condit def. Diaz via decision
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