UFC 124 Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Kosheck Shocking Results
By Luigi Lizares Yunque
I predicted that Georges “Rush” St. Pierre the defending UFC Welterweight Champion would win his title defense by unanimous decision, but this was not the way I thought it would turn out. I was expecting GSP to take this fight to the ground in which he scored a takedown 15 seconds into the first round, but it turned out to be a boxing clinic for Josh Koscheck. Joe Rogan the UFC color commentator called this fight the most jab heavy Mixed Martial Fight ever. There was never a fight in the UFC’s history that a fighter used the jab to actually turn the fight in his favor. A lot of boxers and boxing enthusiasts criticize the MMA for not utilizing the jab. A Mixed Martial Artist tends to go head hunting and throw hay makers because they use smaller gloves. This fight proved that a jab can and is a very effective tool in any Mixed Martial Artists repertoire.
During the fist round GSP threw a jab and right hook before taking Josh Koscheck down. Josh was able to get back up, but there was already a swelling from his right eye due to GSP’s jab. Both fighters got back up on their feet and St. Pierre was still relentless with his boxing. He was connecting at will. Koscheck was able to get a take down during the last 20 seconds of the fight. Josh’s right eye looked horrible by the end of the round
Round 2, Koscheck looked like he had trouble seeing from his right eye. GSP used it as a target and keeps on connecting. Josh tried to take George to the ground, but was unsuccessful. GSP’s take down defense was as usual, very effective.
During round 3, Koscheck was able to stop GSP’s take down during the opening minute. When they got back to the center of the ring, it was all GSP.
The fight doctor was checking Josh’s eye after the 3rd round. The fight could have been stopped, but Koscheck urged the referee Herb Dean that he could continue.
Round 4 started with GSP taking Josh Koscheck to the ground and clearly wanted to finish the fight. He nearly got Josh’s back, but ended up clinched on the fence. When the fight was restarted at the center of the Octagon, GSP landed jab after jab, and inside leg kicks. It was clear that Koscheck was outclassed, but still wanted to go on.
After that round, Josh Koscheck’s right eye reminded me of Antonio Margarito, when Margarito fought the 8 Division World Champion Manny Pacquiao last month.
In the 5th and final round, the only way Josh Koscheck could win was either by a KO or by submission. If he was the UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, I would have given him the benefit of a doubt.
GSP was not taking any chances, he still took Koscheck to the ground twice. When they got up, George was still connecting at will. Everyone was celebrating even before the fight was over.
When the final bell rang, both fighters embraced and congratulated each other.
Georges “Rush” St. Pierre won by unanimous decision to retain his Welterweight tile.
This was Georges St. Pierre 8th consecutive win in the Octagon. GSP now has a record of 30 consecutive round victories, since his last victory against Koscheck in 2007.
The question now is whose next for GSP? A move up to 185lbs division? Is Anderson Silva the next step? I guess those questions will be answered after the UFC 126 on February 5th when Silva will defend his Middleweight title.
Sean “Big Sexy” McCorkle fresh from his victory against Pride FC’s heavy hitter Mark Hunt took on Jiu Jitsu artist Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve in a heavyweight match-up. This fight I considered “The Battle of the Giants”. Struve stands 6’11”, while McCorkle stands at 6’7”. The round started when Big Sexy taking Struve to the ground and established a dominant position. McCorkle attempted a kimura, but Struve showed his experience with the ground game by being patient and eventually ending up with a reversal. MacCorkle never stood a chance when he was mounted by the Skyscraper. Stefan landed bombs, left and right that led Yves Lavinge to call of the fight at 3:55 on the first round.
The fight between Jim Miller and the 21 year old Charles Oliveira, who is currently the youngest fighter in the UFC was a showcase of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. During the opening bell Miller took the Brazilian to the ground. Oliveira looked dangerous from the back. Moving constantly and trying to set up a submission. Charles attempted an armbar and a leg-lock ,but lost his position which gave way to Miller ending the fight with a very tight knee bar.
Mac Danzig and Joe “Daddy” Stevenson were both “The Ultimate Fighter” Winners. Danzig for Season 6 and “Daddy” for Season 2. This fight ended quickly with a fade away left hook that caught Joe Stevenson’s chin. The punch didn’t look like much, but it was right on the bottom, giving Danzig a Knock-out victory over Joe Stevenson. This was the 4th win for Mac Danzig in the UFC.
The fight that I was looking forward too aside from the main event was Thiago “The Pit Bull” Alves against Howard “Doomsday” Howard. Both of them are heavy hitters. Thiago had problems recently because he didn’t make weight for 2 out of 4 fights which prompted UFC President Dana White to move Alves up to the middleweight division. He was given another chance and it really showed in this fight. The “Pit Bull” really has in my opinion the best stand up in the Welterweight division. It was a kickboxing match from the beginning to end. Alves, landed punches with more precision, and his kicks to Doomsday lead leg took its toll towards the end of the fight. He won by unanimous division.