Ep 2. Georges St-Pierre vs Matt Hughes UFC 79
- February 14, 2011
George St-Pierre is one of the most iconic fighters in UFC history, and in this episode of the Best of Georges St-Pierre, we look back at his epic battle with Matt Hughes at UFC 79. This was their second fight, with Hughes having previously beaten Georges in a title fight several years prior.
Georges St-Pierre was coming into the fight on a six-fight win streak and was eager to avenge his previous loss to Hughes. The two fighters had developed a bit of a rivalry, with Hughes being the more experienced fighter and Georges being the up-and-comer looking to take down the legend.
As the fight started, it was clear that both fighters were bringing their A-game. Hughes looked sharp and had clearly done his homework on St-Pierre's fighting style, while Georges was quick and agile, using his footwork to dodge Hughes' punches and kicks.
Round 1 saw both fighters feeling each other out, with neither getting a clear advantage. Hughes was able to land a few solid punches, but Georges kept his distance and focused on landing leg kicks to wear Hughes down.
Round 2 is where things started to heat up. Georges came out strong, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks that had Hughes reeling. But Hughes is nothing if not tough, and he managed to weather the storm and mount his own offensive. The two fighters traded blows, with Georges using his superior grappling skills to take Hughes to the ground and land some punishing ground and pound.
Round 3 saw Georges really start to take control of the fight. He was able to get Hughes to the ground early on and landed some brutal strikes from the top position. Hughes looked tired and unable to mount much of an offense, while Georges continued to land shots and wear him down.
Round 4 was all Georges. He came out strong and landed a huge head kick that sent Hughes crashing to the canvas. Georges pounced on his fallen opponent and rained down blow after blow until the referee was forced to step in and stop the fight. It was a dominant performance from St-Pierre, and one that cemented his status as one of the top fighters in the UFC.
As we look back on this fight, we can see the makings of a true legend. Georges St-Pierre was able to overcome a tough opponent in Matt Hughes, using his superior grappling and striking skills to wear him down and ultimately score the knockout victory. It's a performance that has gone down in UFC history, and one that fans will never forget.