Sport Science: GSP punches harder than Shogun kicks

GSP: “Fighting is about efficiency”

ESPN Sport Science’s John Brenkus examines the extraordinary physical abilities of Georges St. Pierre.

Stamina:

GSP’s Anaerobic Threshold (where he starts to develop lactic acid and fatigue) is at most fighters maximum. When they hit the ceiling, GSP is at 85%.

Strength:

GSP’s punch registers at 2859 lbs of force

GSP’s kick registers at 3477 lbs of force

GSP’s Right-Left-Left Low kick combo registers at 6000+ lbs of force in .98 of a second

Speed:

GSP’s high double generates 2400 watts of power in 1.17 second (similar to what Rashad Evans tested for, but Rashad is two weight classes up)

GSP’s superman punch moves at 15 feet/second (twice as fast as his normal punch)

Comparison:

In prrevious episodes of Sport Science some of the most formidable fighters in the UFC were tested. The numbers are so dramatically lower that some other factors must have come into play, like a different heavy bag, or gloves, making a direct comparison suspect.

Cain Velasquez’s punch is 2230 lbs of force.

Rampage Jackson’s punch is 1800 lbs of force.

Shogun Rua’s kick is 2749 lbs of force.