UFC 83 was a huge success on April 19. The sport has come a long way from the days where few fans turned in and few spectators paid to see live events.
The fans in Montreal made UFC 83 the most successful show to date, selling out the arena in less than half n'hour.
In the Octagon, the event itself was even more phenomenal.
Mac Danzig submitted Mark Bocek with a rear naked choke.
Michael Bisping destroyed Charles McCarthy's arms with vicious knees.
Nate Quarry attempted to push the fight so hard that he began to run around jokingly just for Kalib Starnes to punch him.
Rich Franklin escaped a near impossible submission attempt to beat a diminshed Travis Lutter.
In the main event, Georges St. Pierre demolished Matt Serra at his own game with beautiful jiu jitsu, striking, and wrestling.
The fight started with Serra throwing his haymaking punch diving his head under, throwing it right off the bat, but this time GSP would not be caught. St. Pierre took Serra down as if it was nothing.
Despite Serra being given the advantage on his back, despite Serra's confidence on the ground, despite Renzo's Gracie refusal to train Jiu Jitsu with George for conflicting interest; Georges St. Pierre passed Serra's guard as if it was nothing.
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His Jiu Jitsu was spectacular, and he made sure to remind Serra why MMA is so different from the Abu Dahbi. After getting clocked with some very heavy shots, the champ Serrra began to be dazed and tired.
When the fight was again on its feet, Serra continued to eat St. Pierre's lightning quick punches. Again, Serra threw his haymaker, and again St. Pierre executed a beautiful bob-and-weave and slammed Serra to the mat.
Eventually, Serra ended up in the turtle position and was seemingly praying while defending his back. St. Pierre abandoned his back attack and rained down devastating knees upon Serra's side. After the fourth knee landed, the referee stepped in and called off St. Pierre's onslaught.
The new champ celebrated in his old fahion by doing his backflip, and this time he landed it. After the fight, GSP showed pure gentlemanly behavior by hugging Serra, congratulating him, and asked his adoring fans to cheer for his opponent.
Serra responded by raising St. Pierre's hand, picking the new champ up and carrying him across the Octagon. With the biggest event in UFC history occurring in Montreal, and with St. Pierre headlining and fighting his nemesis, GSP's dream has come true.
It has often been written who is the best at which particular disciplne of Mixed Martial Arts: Serra in Jiu Jitsu, Koscheck in wrestling, Parysian in Judo.
Despite what is written in other tournaments (Abu Dahbi, Olympic Judo Trials, NCAA wrestling, etc.) GSP showed that the complete athlete with drive and determination can even destroy his opponent at his own game.
GSP has out wrestled the greatest wrestlers, beaten his nemesis, and has solidified his place in history. I was excited to see what a true mixed martial arts athlete could accomplish. GSP's grace, finesse and sheer power has echoed in a new era of mixed martial arts.
Gone are the days of the Gracies. Gone are the days of the pure strikers.
Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva have proven that, to be at the top of this sport, you must be a complete athlete. With Georges St. Pierre's win, he proved that lightning doesn't strike twice.
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4 months ago
OMG, wasn't it amazing!! And a great show of sportsmanship from both sides. So happy!!
4 months ago
GSP = National hero for Canada and the toast of Quebec. One day our grandchildren will build statues of him next to those of Rocket Richard.
4 months ago
Build statues of him? Is that all Canada has?
4 months ago
G,, NO CANADA DOESNT JUST BUILD STATUES,, THEY ALSO KICK AMERICANS ASS IN MMA,, ANY OTHER SMART REMARKS???
4 months ago
I LOVE THIS GUY MET HIM IN ABQ, NM WHAT A HERO FOR US ALL
4 months ago
GSP? Canada? I think many smarty remarks are needed, Jason you behave now..and G quit taunting him. its o.k. to build those statues, and G you quit starting it. both of you....now....now the fight ...I think they are going to bring in PeeWee in and GSP may have to give it up....oh well! isn't GSP something they dont want in foods any more......
4 months ago
Canada still sucks
4 months ago
i guess the best man wins , but i can't stand either of them
4 months ago
Thanks for the summary of the fight, James. I'm in Finland and couldn't get a good rundown by any of my friends. So damn happy to hear GSP won! I'd been looking forward to this fight forever. Will have to rent the fight when I get back.
from 4 months ago
your welcome, thanks for the read
4 months ago
Great read James. I was watching the fight @ a packed bar in Toronto and we all went nuts for GSP. Great job on the report and GSP will not be losing anytime soon and just who are those two idiots G and Patrick, I'll get in the ring any day and clean their 'candy asses'...same old story - they hide behind anonymous faces!
Bring it..congrats on the many reads!
4 months ago
As a fan of both men I greatly enjoyed reading your article. As for a fight between American fans and Canadian fans--Hey, GSP said it best--we are North Americans and he did keep the belt from leaving our Continent, Right? Three cheers for Georges, and long live the king of WW fighters, long may he reign!
4 months ago
Great job, just what we need - more competent and talented analysts for MMA. I'm a football analyst by nature, but train martial arts and love MMA. Way to bring the fight to the people - thank you.
I love watching Bisping fight!
4 months ago
Bisping looked better in a lower weight class!
from 4 months ago
I agree, his knees came off swiftly and gracefully into mcarthy's arms, i thought it was ironic that his opponent stuck out his tounge and then was knocked out, im sure we'll see great things from bisping at 185
4 months ago
I could take on both of them with my left hand. Just watch a south paw from the University of Wisconsin, yo. Tear them UCF fights up with one hand...shout out to them Badger yooooo
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