The Triangle Choke: GSP’s Biggest Challenge

Pro Fighting Fans takes a look at the best challengers for Georges St-Pierre's UFC Welterweight title

The UFC’s Welterweight division can accurately be described as the Georges St-Pierre invitational. He has dominated the division winning seven in a row and is 14-2 in the UFC’s famed Octagon. Inexplicably, GSP will coach opposite of Josh Koscheck on next season’s The Ultimate Fighter. Although the show will no doubt be intriguing, the fight will likely end the same way it did when the two met previously at UFC 74 where GSP neutralized Koscheck’s wrestling skills and dominated him throughout. The fight will not be nearly entertaining as Kos will be on the show. With his sheer dominance the question is - who is the biggest challenge to GSP?

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UFC - The fact is Josh Koscheck does not deserve a title shot. In fact, his teammate Jon Fitch should be next in line. As Fitch stated in an interview published on ProFighting-fans.com in March 2010, “We are still deciding whether we are entertainment or truly a sport.” Obviously the selection of Kos over Fitch was based purely on entertainment value. Fitch’s 12-1 record in the UFC, with his only loss a 5 round decision to GSP, wasn’t enough as he is not nearly as vocal as the charismatic Koscheck - thus he loses out to The Ultimate Fighter (as many have before - another column for another day). Although many look to the UFC for answers, the most viable contenders to GSP’s ranking as the best welterweight in the world reside outside of the sport’s premiere organization.

Nick Diaz is often overlooked due to his antics and reputation. However, the long-lanky Diaz is extremely talented on his feet and on the ground. GSP has literally ridden to victories without being able to finish his opponent; against Diaz the sledding would be much tougher. GSP would have difficulties on his feet due to the extensive reach advantage and on the ground he would be facing a true Jiu-Jitsu expert. The 26 year old Diaz is on a six fight winning streak in which he finished each opponent. A focused and determined Diaz could indeed defeat the great GSP.

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Dan Hornbuckle is an extremely talented fighter who also possesses great length and ground skills which could give GSP trouble. Although Lyman Good is the Bellator Welterweight Champion, his skillsets do not line up like the rangy 6’2” Cherokee Indian. Hornbuckle would give GSP fits with his range and there is no way GSP would simply lay on him and cruise to the victory. Hornbuckle has his work cut out for him in the Bellator Welterweight Tournament as he faces tough wrestler Ben Askren. He should get the victory then face Good for the title. The 21-2 Hornbuckle will win the title and the MMA world will take notice.

Could Diaz or Hornbuckle defeat GSP? The sad truth is we likely never know. Regardless, these two long and lanky fighters have bright futures no matter where they compete.

By Scott Dryden
ProFighting-fans.com Editor in Chief