Next weekend we will see the up and coming Dan Hardy square off against George St Pierre in the UFC octagon. When I first heard about this match up I really didn't think that Dan Hardy should have gotten a title shot so early especially when there are the likes of John Fitch and Thiago Silva in the division. These guys are contenders and should be in the way of anyone looking to take a shot at the title. Don't get me wrong, Hardy has done very well and he is a big guy for the division and would give anyone problems. He has also done very well in promoting himself and getting himself in a postion where he has been given the title shot. All that aside the question that still burns is 'Is he ready?'.
I'm sure if you ask him he will tell you that he is and his training team will tell you that he is. He certainly isn't overawed by the whole situation that's for sure. So mentally it looks like he is, but what about experience? Has he got enough cunning to see of the experienced GSP?
Like I said before I didn't think he had a few weeks back, but now I have seen some interviews and the UFC Primetime show leading up to the fight he certainly looks ready. To just say he has a puncher's chance would be a underestimation of his talent. He fought the ex-pro boxer in Marcus Davis and did well, looked comfortable in the stand with him. This added to his size makes him more than dangerous. It was also interesting t hear George say the he would show Hardy what martial arts were. Hardy responded by saying he had been doing 'martial arts' whole life with Tae Kwon Do and even spent some time in china training with monks so yes he is a 'martial artist'.
Now we've gotten all that out of the way let's focus on the fight and who will win.
George is an absolutely fantastic fighter and in his last few fights he has been a different guy than the one who lost to Matt Serra. He seems a lot more focused and no longer do we see the smiling nice guy coming up ti fight night. He is all business and this is what he was missing before. As for Hardy's size it won't be the first time he has fought someone bigger than him and won, he man handled Thiago Silva and a few others. The thing about George St Pierre is he always gets to control the fight how he wants it to go. To be completely honest I don't see Hardy being able to stuff George St Pierre's take downs. If Hardy fails to keep the fight standing I'm afraid this will be GSP's fight all night long.
On the other hand if Hardy can keep the fight standing or get on top of George he might be able to use his size to control him. But these things are not easily done. I think the fight will be closer than a lot of people think it will be. that being said I think GSP has enough to see Hardy off he he can utilize his take downs and wrestling to control the fight.
Prediction: I have to go with George St Pierre on this one by a unanimous decision.
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