UFC 129: Ranking Georges St-Pierre's 5 Title Defenses

Sometimes it is hard to realize how great something is until it's gone. 

Georges St-Pierre is the favorite heading into his title fight against Jake Shields at UFC 129, but Shields is a tough opponent for anyone.

If Shields does walk out of Toronto with the welterweight title, we still got to witness one of the greatest fighters in UFC history go on a streak that is unlikely to be matched anytime soon. Georges St-Pierre is a living legend, and is the greatest welterweight of all time.

Here's a break down of all five of his UFC title defenses.

5. Dan Hardy

It's hard to believe that this is No. 5.

While fans weren't thrilled with the idea that Hardy would get a title shot in just his fourth UFC bout, the UFC sold the fight well, having the fighters appear on UFC Prime Time.

Georges also stated that Hardy's stand up was something to be reckoned with. He didn't take any chances.

GSP completely dominated Hardy for an entire five rounds, taking the fight to the mat and twice locking in tight submissions, but Hardy wouldn't tap.

The result was a clear-cut unanimous decision victory for GSP.

4. Thiago Alves

Some fans were calling this the toughest test of St-Pierre's career, and it only earned co-main event status on the stacked UFC 100 card.

Alves had just destroyed Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck to earn his first shot at UFC gold, and had some devastating Muay Thai that was supposed to give GSP problems.

Once again, Georges just didn't let him fight to his strengths.

Although Alves had stuffed all of the All-American Koscheck's takedowns, St-Pierre took him down with ease and won the few exchanges they had on the feet. 

GSP fought through a groin injury that he suffered half way through the fight to win every round and walk away with a decision victory.

3. Josh Koscheck

Koscheck did his best to get into the champion's head during their stint as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 12, but GSP wasn't having it.

After weeks of trash talk, it took St-Pierre only one jab to break Koscheck's orbital bone and cause his eye to swell shut.

Although Koscheck was able to keep the fight on the feet for the most part, GSP thoroughly outboxed the former NCAA wrestler and easily defended his title for the fifth time, winning another unanimous decision.

2. B.J. Penn

The rematch that the world was talking about went down at UFC 94.

Penn was the UFC lightweight champion, and was looking to become the first fighter to simultaneously hold two titles in the UFC. 

St-Pierre had defeated Penn by split decision back at UFC 58 in one of the greatest fights in UFC history, and Penn wanted revenge.

After a close first round, GSP wore down Penn with his relentless takedowns and top control, causing Penn's corner to throw in the towel after the fourth round. 

1. Jon Fitch

Jon Fitch was undefeated at welterweight going into his UFC 87 title fight against St-Pierre, and had a career record of 18-2.

Fitch's current record is 23-3-1.

If it wasn't for GSP, we might be calling Fitch the greatest welterweight of all time and he would probably hold every UFC record possible .

During the fight St-Pierre completely dominated Fitch from start to finish on both the feet and the mat, winning a decision with scores of 50-44, 50-44, and 50-43.

Fitch is the consensus No. 2 welterweight in the world, and the beating GSP gave him shows how good he truly is.