Alves vs. GSP breakdown
Looking at Georges St. Pierre’s list of opponents throughout his career, you can make a substantive case that GSP has…
Looking at Georges St. Pierre’s list of opponents throughout his career, you can make a substantive case that GSP has faced the toughest list of foes top to bottom of any high-level fighter. Suffice it to say that given his resume, St. Pierre has faced some studs, but a closer look reveals a lengthy series of opponents who were primarily ground fighters.
His UFC 100 welterweight championship fight with Thiago Alves will be different, in that it will present him his first opportunity to fight a striker since a November 2003 fight with Pete Spratt.
So how will it go? Let’s take a look.
Alves is no ordinary striker. He packs devastating power in his hands, feet and knees, giving St. Pierre many weapons to avoid. Prior to his decision over Josh Koscheck last October — one in which he rocked Koscheck several times — Alves had managed five straight KO or TKO wins. In that time, he’s gotten noticeably bigger, stronger and vastly improved his takedown defense.
The last of those factors could pay the biggest dividends against St. Pierre, who is arguably the most efficient takedown artist in MMA.
Much of this fight will hinge on whether or not Alves can stay upright. If he can, it becomes Alves’ power against St. Pierre’s versatile striking game, and becomes a pick’ em fight. If he can’t, St. Pierre will have a strong edge on the ground with his nearly unshakable topside control, guard-passing skills and effective ground and pound. In addition, St. Pierre has better submissions.
So any prediction has to guess first and foremost whether or not Alves can stay upright long enough to beat GSP.
