New GSP interview - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

Drexal · 07-25-2007, 06:17 AM

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Q&A with former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre

July 24, 2007
By Gary Herman
Special to CBS SportsLine.com

A few months ago, Georges St. Pierre appeared unstoppable. He ran off six consecutive victories -- including wins over Frank Trigg, Sean Sherk and B.J. Penn -- and won the UFC welterweight championship from Matt Hughes.

However, in April of 2007, St. Pierre ran into Ultimate Fighter season four winner Matt Serra. Serra, a huge underdog, quickly handed St. Pierre his first loss in over two years with a knockout in just over three minutes.

Now, St. Pierre begins the road back to the UFC welterweight championship. The quest starts on Aug. 25 with a match against Josh Koscheck. The winner of the fight may very well be next in line to fight the winner of the Serra-Hughes title bout scheduled for the end of 2007.

We recently caught up with St. Pierre to talk about his fight with Koscheck, what happened with Serra as well as some interesting possibilities for his future.

GH: We're about a month or so away from the fight with Josh Koscheck. How is your training camp going?

GSP: I'm in the best shape of my life. Physically, mentally -- everything is good right now.

GH: Koscheck has been on a tremendous roll as of late. What are your thoughts on your opponent?

GSP: Josh Koscheck is a very tough opponent. He's one of the best guys in the division.

GH: The top guy in the division right now is of course, Matt Serra. After your fight with Serra, you were very complimentary towards him, but since then, the tide seemed to have turned a little bit. Is there anything that caused the friction between yourself and Serra?

GSP: The thing is, a lot of people got very mad at me when I lost that fight. A lot of people were asking me, "What happened to you, Georges? How come you didn't look so sharp? How come you looked so different?"

I felt like I had to explain myself and my version of the story. And by doing this, it was disrespectful to Serra. It took away some of his credit. After I realized what I said, I apologized to him about what I said. I do not want to take anything away from him. I don't want to give any excuses. I am a professional athlete. I took that fight. I knew I'd have to deal with the consequences of a loss, and I'd have to deal with it like a man. That's what happened. And now I look to the future.

GH: Taking a fight with Koscheck is certainly a great way to get you right back in the mix for a title shot.

GSP: Exactly. That's why I wanted to fight Koscheck. I want to fight the best guy in line and I am very happy to be getting in there with Koscheck. I am pumped up for the fight.

GH: What did you think of Koscheck's performance vs. Diego Sanchez?

GSP: He fought a very intelligent fight. He's an intelligent fighter. He has a great camp. It's a great challenge. It may be the toughest fight of my life, but I'm in great shape for it. Mentally, physically -- I have no issues. Everything is going well in my life.

GH: We talked a little about the division -- guys like Serra, Diego Sanchez, Koscheck. There are a lot of other great fighters as well -- including Hughes, Karo Parisyan and possibly Penn. Maybe even Takanori Gomi in the future. The welterweight division is loaded. What are your thoughts on the welterweight division right now?

GSP: Well, it's great. I am a very proud athlete. I want to be world champion again, and I think I will be. I don't want to be a paper champion. I want to be a real champion. When you say you're a "world champion" but then you see someone in another organization is ranked higher, that makes you feel bad. But since the UFC bought so many organizations including Pride and with the talent they already have, when I become world champion, I will be the best in the world.

GH: What do you think about the Pride purchase? Is it good for the sport?

GSP: Absolutely. It's great for the sport because we can unify the titles. It'll be great for the fighters and the fans.

GH: Has the UFC mentioned anything about potential unification fights down the line if you were to win your next two fights?

GSP: I don't know exactly what's going to happen. From what I've heard, they are going to get the champions to face each other and that would be a great thing.

GH: That would be huge. Of course, the similar Pride champion is the aforementioned Gomi, and he sits in the middle of 155 and 170. In the past, we had heard that you may be interested in actually moving up to 185 pounds to take on Anderson Silva. Are you still comfortable at 170?

GSP: I am very comfortable at 170. People think that I am bigger than I am. I don't cut much weight. One day when I become world champion again and I have the opportunity to go up and I don't have much competition in my division, I think I would go up.

It would be for the challenge. Nothing personal -- I just want to make my mark in the sport. I want to make history. I want people to remember me as the best fighter there has ever been in the sport. To do that, I need to do some crazy stuff like going up and challenging other champions and that is in my plans. But right now, I am just thinking about the present moment and Josh Koscheck.

GH: You've had some big wins in your career -- from Matt Hughes, B.J. Penn, Karo Parisyan, Jason Miller, Sean Sherk and Frank Trigg. Do any of those fights in particular stand out with you as being your favorite fight?

GSP: The fight that I performed the best in was my last fight with Matt Hughes. After that, they were all great. And right now, I feel the best I ever have. My personal life is great. In the past, a lot of personal issues turned bad all at the same time. Now, I fixed the puzzle and everything is going well.

GH: Seeing your tremendous popularity in Canada, do you think the UFC will be going to Canada?

GSP: I'm at the same stage you guys are. I've heard some rumors. Hopefully, when I win my next fight, the UFC will come to Montreal. That would be great.

GH: Certainly would be exciting to fight in your home country. How is the sport received in Canada? Does it receive a lot of national exposure as it does here in the U.S.?

GSP: The sport is not as big as it is in the U.S., but it is coming. It's like fast-food restaurants. When something is good in the U.S., it eventually makes its way up to Canada.

GH: Any final thoughts for your fans out there in anticipation of your fight on Aug. 25 with Josh Koscheck?

GSP: I want to thank everyone for their support. I am sorry for what happened last time. I made a mistake. I cannot promise you I will never lose again, but I can promise you that I will bring my "A" game in every single one of my fights. I will be back on track as fast possible. I will be back in a very explosive way.

Source: BOXING - CBS SportsLine.com

I hope GSP is as good as his word, I for one am really looking forward to seeing him fight again. I expect Koscheck will find there's a whole new level to fighting.

GeorgeXVX · 07-25-2007, 08:37 AM

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GSP: The sport is not as big as it is in the U.S., but it is coming. It's like fast-food restaurants. When something is good in the U.S., it eventually makes its way up to Canada.

EWWWW that is so gross.... he actually thinks fast food is good!

Dirty Fighter · 07-25-2007, 08:49 AM

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Originally Posted by GeorgeXVX

EWWWW that is so gross.... he actually thinks fast food is good!

Shut yo mouth.

Good interview. Thanks for posting.

Drexal · 07-25-2007, 08:51 AM

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Originally Posted by GeorgeXVX

EWWWW that is so gross.... he actually thinks fast food is good!

Lol I actually thought the same thing as you. Fast food is a good thing?

khodey · 07-25-2007, 05:22 PM

Ive been wondering what GSP has been up to lately. If hes as mentally strong as he says he is, we all know he is physically solid, Koscheck is going to have hell to pay. Ive been waiting to see if GSP will get his head screwed on right, I hope this time he has. Thanks for the interview.

Oh and GSP said in his All access he doesnt eat fast food.

earvinarp · 07-25-2007, 05:44 PM

By "good" he very well may have meant "successful." Not necessarily "healthy" as people want to think in the thread.

OneTwoPunch · 07-25-2007, 05:58 PM

He's gonna KO Koscheck

BCguy · 07-25-2007, 06:57 PM

I'm glad he apologized to Sera. GSP is one of my favorite fighters and i was greatly annoyed at his comments. Although i didnt find them that bad it was still disrespectful and didnt seem like the normal GSP. I just hope he can get his **** together and climb back to the top of the WW division where he belongs.

jm1010 · 07-25-2007, 06:59 PM

Thanks for the interview.

I really hope GSP fights like he did against Hughes. When he does I think he is near unstoppable. I actually think GSP would have a better shot at Silva than most other MW's.

Dr.Chicago · 07-25-2007, 07:25 PM

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Originally Posted by BCguy

I'm glad he apologized to Sera. GSP is one of my favorite fighters and i was greatly annoyed at his comments. Although i didnt find them that bad it was still disrespectful and didnt seem like the normal GSP. I just hope he can get his **** together and climb back to the top of the WW division where he belongs.

Since English isn't GSP's first language.. Hughes shouldn't be pissed off about his comments "wasn't impressed by ur performance".. Neither Serra.. They should know better.. He didn't mean any disrespect.. The guy is all class imo!

So i think he didn't have to apologize!

jmag · 07-25-2007, 07:43 PM

How's is GSP from his back? I hate LNP and I'm worried about a LNP Koscheck victory.

Ztous · 07-25-2007, 09:06 PM

The only time I have ever seen GSP on his back was in his first fight against Hughes. The second he hit the ground he was working for submissions and reversed the first takedown if I recall correctly. He did end up getting submitted however so who knows.

Oberfuhrer42 · 07-25-2007, 09:25 PM

I talked to GSP when he was down in burlington ontario, a month after his loss from serra. he looked and talked like he was ready to jump back in the octagon right then and there, he went on to say he feels sorry for the next guy he faces, as he will unleash the hell he should of unleashed on serra. (i paraphrase)

the feeling i got before i met him and after i met him are two totally different experiences. he totally intimidated me, and no other fighter i have met, has done that.

he will kick some serious ass. and if by some chance koschek wins, he will not do it by LnP, because GSP is too damn strong for that.

GSP 2nd rd TKO.

Dr.Chicago · 07-25-2007, 09:31 PM

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Originally Posted by Oberfuhrer42

I talked to GSP when he was down in burlington ontario, a month after his loss from serra. he looked and talked like he was ready to jump back in the octagon right then and there, he went on to say he feels sorry for the next guy he faces, as he will unleash the hell he should of unleashed on serra. (i paraphrase)

the feeling i got before i met him and after i met him are two totally different experiences. he totally intimidated me, and no other fighter i have met, has done that.

he will kick some serious ass. and if by some chance koschek wins, he will not do it by LnP, because GSP is too damn strong for that.

GSP 2nd rd TKO.

Cool dude, I wish i can meet him (or better train with him

)...

Are you a journalist/reporter or just a fan???

Oberfuhrer42 · 07-25-2007, 10:12 PM

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Originally Posted by Dr.Chicago

Cool dude, I wish i can meet him (or better train with him

)...

Are you a journalist/reporter or just a fan???

No dewd just a fan. he came down to a local bar for a promo, and hardly anybody showed up, maybe 200 people. they came, got there autographs and left. so us die hards got some serious one on one with him later on. i went with a buddy from montreal who is friends with his family, so i got to meet him that way with no interuptions. he was so down to earth it was like he didn't know he was famous yet.

Cas2910 · 07-25-2007, 11:31 PM

GSP is the man. He is gonna manhandle Kos.

subgenius · 07-26-2007, 09:59 AM

GSP is a fighter. He's an MMA fighter. He is NOT a public relations specialist. He has good public speaking skills, but he has not specialized in knowing what to say at the right times. Regardless of how people defend him, he messed up with Matt Hughes ("I am not impressed with your performance") and with Matt Serra (in that post-match interview GSP did on a Toronto radio station). He meant what he said. He knew what he was saying. But, he did not think ahead to what his statements might mean as they were recieved by fans and fighters alike.

Having said that, I will also say that GSP has been man enough to come out and acknowledge that what he has said at times has not been fair or right to say. What he said about Hughes had to do with hyping the fight. Matt Hughes demolished BJ Penn (I don't care what anybody else says, Hughes crushed Penn in round three). That WAS impressive. And, Matt Serra beat GSP "fairly squarely" as GSP likes to say.

So, I am happy that GSP has made the overtures to Matt Serra by apologizing and recognizing that his words were taking away the credit that Matt Serra so clearly deserved.

Also, I take GSP's comments about Josh Koscheck as an attempt to not seem arrogant or to belittle his opponents. But, I do not agree with GSP. Josh Koscheck is FAR, FAR from being in the top of the UFC welterweight division. A boring decision over Diego Sanchez where Koscheck ran away from the fight does not mean that Koscheck is a top contender. GSP will likely beat Koscheck as badly as Franklin beat Quarry.

earvinarp · 07-26-2007, 12:03 PM

I agree, Koscheck is not a top fighter but the UFC has him ranked as a top 5 ww, so the his fighting GSP makes sense.

GSP is much more dynamic than Josh, much faster, and with top notch take-down defense. That sounds like a bad deal for Koscheck. What should happen is GSP picking apart Koscheck for 3 rounds and winning a decision, or TKO'ing him in the 2nd or 3rd round.