Who Else For Georges St. Pierre?

There has been much speculation in recent weeks in regards to the Pierre-Hardy bout which is set to take place in Newark, New Jersey for UFC 111.

I have been browsing many sites and it seems that a fair few MMA fans have had there voice boxes working overtime in there tirade against Dan Hardy facing GSP for the Welter-Weight title. At this point, now I deem necessary to point out as to why Hardy is the right man period, to face Georges St. Pierre.

Originally it was widely known that Mike Swick was indeed the hot favourite and most probable opponent next for Georges St. Pierre after piling up an impressive run of 9 wins in 10 fights, losing to middleweight contender Yushin Okami in 2007.

After his dominant performance at UFC 99 over Ben Saunders (who was buzzing after destroying Brandon Wolffs face and forehead during UFC fight night), Swick called out Georges St-Pierre, Thiago Alves, and Matt Hughes as possible opponents. Unfortunately none of these credible fighters was available and he had to settle for a No'1 contender bout with Martin Kampmann at UFC 103.

Swick was forced to withdraw from the bout to be replaced by Paul Daley.

Paul Daley's debut was an immediate impact forcing a TKO stoppage over Martin Kampmann, even though the stoppage was questionable, it was clear that Daley had Kampmann hurt, even more so that this decision would prevent him having a bout with GSP.

Swick being the favourite was still yet to have his No'1 contender bout.

Dan Hardy was originally set to face Dong Hyun "Stun Gun" Kim at UFC 105, but Hardy's opponent pulled out due to injury. This is the point where I think Mr White saw an opportunity.

Mike Swick was eager to return to action, Dan Hardy was in need of an opponent and Dana has a business he intends to globalise. Swick posted this on his Twitter page "I am filling in for Dan Hardy's injured opponent and will fight him on November 14th in Manchester, England,”

Making this a No'1 contender match would increase the interest of the British fans, which would most likely bring in new casual fans to witness the event which ultimately would increase revenue.

Hardy was yet another fighter in the welter-weight division who had dethroned a supposed No'1 contender for GSP's title.

Many of us are aware that even though Hardy is 4-0 in the UFC (23-6-1 overall) 2 of them have come by split decision to Akihiro Gono and Marcus Davis, but in his most recent bout with Swick he has shown promise, and can take a few decent jabs and hooks to the chin, (I am aware they wasn’t exactly full blown roundhouse throws) but he showed consistency, heavy hands and brutal elbows. If he's able to weather the wrath of GSP is a totally different situation.

I draw all this to you now, the reader, regardless of Hardy's record and weather he deserves to be in a title shot or not, who else can GSP face?

Josh Koscheck - Currently 3-2 in his last 5 fights, yes they were stiff competition but one cannot argue a title shot having a run of two victories over Frank Trigg and Anthony Johnson. Kos by paper is a superior wrestler to GSP, but at UFC 74 you wouldn’t have thought so.

Jon Fitch - As much as this guy has continued to impress and probably would be sitting at the top of the welter-weight division having GSP not being in it, the idea of a St. Pierre V Fitch II does not appear that appealing. After five rounds of brutal punishment suffered at the hands of St. Pierre at UFC 87, I can’t see a re-match having different outcome.

GSP has fought close to all fighters who are / were in the top ten rankings at the time. Those of which include; Matt Serra, Matt Hughes, and Thiago Alves.

In regards to rankings, Dan Hardy is the highest ranked opponent that GSP has not yet destroyed (some would debate Paul Daley is higher but its all down to opinion).

What is left for GSP and the welter-weight division? Most fighters in this division are evenly matched and generate exceedingly good bouts, yet GSP is in a class of his own.

His legacy as a welterweight can never be questioned nor compromised by anyone or anything; it is well and truly engraved in the pages of history. However, competition for GSP at this level is becoming increasingly difficult for Dana White and Joe Silva to find.

If GSP wishes to continue to test himself and fight for an even greater legacy, which he without a doubt wants more than anything, is to finally make his move to the middleweight division.