If you can't appreciate GSP's elite talent for fight control and takedowns, you're really missing out. St-Pierre apologized to his fans after the fight for the lack of a stoppage. If most MMA fighters turned in the sort of performance Georges did last night, they'd go on a three-day celebratory bender. It wasn't a classic, but pitting GSP's talent against Hardy's heart produced a much better fight than it's getting credit for.
In the other co-main event, it was Shane Carwin's power that was on frightening display.
Carwin, in 12 professional fights, has never needed more than one round to secure a win. Former UFC champion Frank Mir was Carwin's biggest test by far, and statistically it showed: Carwin needed almost three times as much of the clock to put away his opponent as he had in almost any other fight during his career. That the fight still only lasted 3:48 should tell you something about the staggering power possessed by the Engineer of Pain.
Operating from smothering range for most of the fight, Carwin only needed a short distance to achieve massive punching power. Physically, he overpowered Mir, backing him up against the cage and refusing to let him go. Mir attempted to stay too close to strike, but eventually Carwin opened up the tiniest sliver of distance — and once he did, the fight was over. Repeated uppercuts battered Mir to the mat and all Frank Mir could do after that was turtle up. An escape attempt fell short and Carwin landed shot after shot before Dan Miragliotta mercifully (and belatedly) stopped the fight.
While the UFC is surely disappointed they won't be able to hype the third installment of Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir, I like the Lesnar/Carwin match much better. We've seen Mir twice now get shoved around in the ring by physically dominant opponents; I see no reason to believe that a third would be different. Instead, what we'll get on July 3 is nearly a mirror match — two huge guys with immense power and great wrestling going at it like Godzilla and... uh... Mecha-Godzilla. (Mothra is not giving either of these men enough credit).
Article comments
1 - Arch Conservative
Is there anyone in MMA that hits harder than Carwin?
The Carwin Lesnar fight will be entertaining to say the least.
If Carwin can keep it off the ground I see him knocking out Lesnar.
If it goes to the ground Brcok has the edge.
One thing's for sure, this one won't be ending in a decision.
2 - Sonia Smith
I don't know how men like this... two men rubbing each other lol
3 - Mike
I have to agree Carwin does hit hard and I see a first round knock out of Lesnar. I think we will see Lesnar returning to the WWF.Oh! Sonia I do not like seeing men rubbing on each other either , I much perfer watching women rubbing on each other.