Matt Hughes Gives His Thoughts On GSP Vs Nick Diaz (VIDEO)

UFC Hall Of Famer Matt Hughes knows something about fighting Georges St-Pierre as he has done it on three occasions. Hughes beat GSP the first time they fought at UFC 50, though the defending welterweight champion would go on to defeat Hughes in the following fights.

Hughes was the guest at the Question & Answer session that took place before the UFC 158: St-Pierre Vs Diaz weigh-ins, and he had some interesting things to say about GSP’s upcoming welterweight championship tilt with Nick Diaz.
Courtesy of the UFC:

“The wrestlers have the big advantage in this sport. If GSP’s going to stand, he’s going to stand. If he’s going to go to the ground, he’s going to go to the ground. So I think that’s going to be great for GSP to be able to control the fight, no doubt about it. I think Diaz is OK in the wrestling game, but you can’t compare it to GSP.”

“If Georges wants to stand with him, all he has to worry about is two hands. He doesn’t have to worry about kicks or knees. He can really do whatever he wants. I don’t know what the game plan is, but Georges is going to be faster, and Georges is going to be able to control the takedown game. The advantage is to Georges because he’s going to be on top, and most judges see if you’re on top, you’re winning the fight. I don’t think I really see Diaz throwing an elbow to win the fight. Georges has a lot of good things going for him in the fight.”

“Diaz is in great shape, and this is the first time that Georges is probably going to be facing someone that’s in better shape than he is. So if I was Diaz, I’d push the fight and try to get in GSP’s mind: ‘Hey, I’m here to fight, and I’m going to try to take it to you.’ Diaz is going to want to brawl, so Georges needs to play a smart game and if he comes hard at him, just take him down. Don’t keep backpedaling…. The fourth and fifth rounds could be very interesting because that could wear on GSP. ‘Is this guy really coming at me this hard? Is he going to have better cardio than me?’ It’s going to be really interesting in the later rounds.”