UFC: The Official How-to-Guide for Defeating Georges St-Pierre

Every competitor in the world of mixed martial arts strives to be the best fighter and display a championship around their waist. For the select few that have had the honor to wear the championship of their respective weight division, there is always the question of who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.  

Georges St-Pierre is atop MMA's pound-for-pound list currently as he has displayed skills that make him seem invincible in the Welterweight division.

He has defeated the best strikers, wrestlers, and submission specialists that the division has had to offer. GSP has also defeated some of the UFC's most dominant and respected champions such as Sean Sherk, Matt Hughes and BJ Penn. 

With a record of 22-2 and no sign of distinct weakness in his armor, many ask who can defeat this man but the real question is HOW to beat this man.

Step One: Game Planning

It has been awhile since I have seen a fighter go into battle with GSP and actually fight to their strengths. A small look into history shows that opponents often forget what brought them to the table when they stare across the Octagon at GSP.

Most fighters are so concerned with their own weaknesses that GSP will attempt to exploit, resulting in the opponent fighting defensively or fight in a style that they are not as comfortable doing. Alves, Koscheck, and Shields are all examples of this point where Alves seemed to concerned about the take-down to strike, Koscheck was a wrestler forced to stand, and Shields' submissions were rendered useless when he decided to stand and strike with the champion.

To have a chance of defeating GSP you are going to have to stay true to yourself and not change your style based on the fact you're fighting GSP. 

The fighter that defeats GSP will have to be well-rounded but as history has shown, you can defeat GSP with a lower skill level if done properly.

First and foremost though, to win against GSP, opponents are going to want to keep this fight on the feet. St-Pierre has outclassed some of the best fighters on the planet when taking them to the ground. So if you are primarily a ground fighter, I don't see you having much success here but if that is your game, then please don't just stand there for five rounds like Jake Shields tried to do.

Step Two: Power Striking

Due to the quickness of GSP and the few chances of landing multiple shots on him, the opponent is going to have to make every shot count.

Even though GSP can seem invincible at times in the Octagon, Matt Serra has shown that it only takes one good punch to send GSP back peddling and his invincibility with it.

The person most likely to defeat GSP will be someone that has some definite power in his punches as I dont see anyone out-pointing GSP in a five round fight or submitting him again.

Step Three: Over-Hand Right

St-Pierre has been training with legendary boxing coach Freddy Roach to improve his overall boxing skill. What has been noticeable lately is that GSP throws a jab more than any other offensive strike.

Though the jab is the quickest punch, understanding the distance and timing of GSP will allow a fighter to take a chance and unleash this effective counter-punch.  

What could be a very effective punch is the Dan Henderson-like over-hand right where you duck and throw, usually resulting in a devastating consequence.

Step Four: Super-Man Jab

One of George St-Pierre's best offensive weapons in his superman jab that he throws on a consistent basis in every match-up he is in. What you haven't seen while GSP performs this maneuver is a counter to the punch that is thrown so often by St-Pierre.

My reasoning is that the jab isn't going to score a knock-out for St-Pierre even though it is an effective punch.

An opponent is going to have to make GSP re-think about attempting this by scoring a take-down, kick, or a counter-punch that could change the entire aspect of the fight by taking away St-Pierre's most effective offensive weapon.  

Step Five: Spacing

Distance is a very important part of St-Pierre's game-plan in every fight, as it should be. GSP doesn't appear to have the one-punch knockout power and lacks the size to dominate a clinch. Therefore GSP relies on speed and distance to set up his stand-up offense and take-downs.

So if you have been unsuccessful at countering the lead-left offense that GSP brings to the table, changing the game-plan to proper spacing is still available and at the opponents disposal.

Dirty boxing and clinching could be an effective strategy but just maintaining a position in punching range could be the key to defeating GSP. A fighter could get peppered with a flurry but making GSP uncomfortable might be enough to land the better of the exchanges and force him into making mistakes. Getting just outside of that punching range allows GSP to attempt kicks, superman punches, and take-downs while making the opponent have to lunge with punches allowing GSP to throw counter-punches.

GSP seems most effective when he is allowed to bounce in-and-out with his jabs and kicks. Pressuring him and forcing him backwards may disrupt his thinking and not allow him the spacing needed to execute his game-plan. Give him space and expect to find yourself at the disadvantage.

Step Six: Luck

Georges St-Pierre has defeated every opponent he has stepped into the Octagon against.

He is at the top of his game and seems almost flawless everytime he gets into the Octagon so luck is going to be important.

Hoping GSP will make a mistake will probably not happen as he has yet to be dominated like Anderson Silva was when he faced off against Sonnen. GSP hasn't been in danger of losing since his upset loss to Matt Serra which he fully redeemed himself against.

Of course the opponent that faces him must have a good striking game and top-of-the-line takedown defense but making GSP look out-classed might be impossible.  

Though his style hasn't been the most crowd-pleasing of late, it has been the most effective to pick up wins and title defenses.   

Bonus Slide: My Pick, Jake Ellenberger

Jake Ellenberger has the speed, power, and wrestling ability to hang in there with GSP.

Though it remains to be seen if any fighter on the UFC roster can actually defeat GSP, Ellenberger shows the power that could neutralize GSP and bring him down to earth.

A win over Jake Shields would probably propel Ellenberger into a title fight with GSP, so the likelihood of that match-up happening isn't too far away, pending Ellenberger defeats Shields.

Ellenberger is 8-1 in his last nine fights with his one loss being a debatable split decision loss to Carlos Condit.

Let me know what you think and thank-you for reading!