Georges St-Pierre staked a claim to be the best pound for pound fighter in MMA as he dominated Thiago Alves for five rounds to take a decision. Fighting through an apparent groin pull, GSP left no doubt as to who rules the welterweight division.
Champion Georges St Pierre came out to meet a Thiago Alves who seemed to be straining the leash like the Pitbull he’s nick-named after. Brock Lesnar’s favorite ref Steve Mazzagatti umpired.
GSP scored the first leg kick of the fight. Then got the first takedown at the 4:11 mark of the first. Alves struggled, but a second slam planted him on his back. By 3:32 Alves was back on his feet, only to be planted on his face and immediately give up his back.GSP threatened a rear naked choke before Alves escaped to his feet.
GSP dominated the exchanges standing though. With 1:30 left, Alves stuffed a takedown. The crowd chanted GSP GSP. Alves charged forward around the 1 minute mark and gave up a takedown, getting his right eyelid cut on the ground. Alves got back up to end the round.
Opening the second round, Alves seemed beaten up before eating legkicks and getting taken down and eating a sustained barrage on his back. He gave up mount at one point but regained guard. GSP scored with brutal ground and pound.
GSP trainer Greg Jackson warned the champ against a third round surge in the corner but Alves did not launch a desperate attack. Instead he fired only occassionally with GSP making him miss. Then the inevitable happened and GSP scored a lovely takedown before the 3 minute mark. Alves escaped by 2:00. With 0:40 GSP dropped the challenger with a crushing right and then pounded him on the ground.
In the championship rounds, GSP controlled range on their feet before getting the takedown and passing guard with a knee cut across pass. By 3:55 Joe Rogan was speculating on GSP’s future in the middleweight division. Soon after though, GSP went for an arm bar and gave up top position. Alves scored with ground and pound as GSP worked from the guard. GSP got to his feet with 1:46 left in the round. After outscoring Alves on the feet, GSP got another takedown around the 1 minute mark. He quickly took Alves back but couldn’t finish the Brazilian before the round ended.
Fifth and final round, GSP came in after a brilliant corner Yoda-ing from coach Greg Jackson. GSP had confided that he hurt his groin but the coach talked him through it. Alves looked battered. About a minute in, GSP scored another takedown and held Alves down. Alves recovered his feet, but by 2:33 he was scooped and slammed again. Bulling to his feet, Alves looked for the KO as time wound down but quickly gave up another takedown.
“It’s a rout Mike, it really is a rout,” said announcer Joe Rogan.
Going into the event, many hardcore MMA fans regarded the welterweight title fight the true premier fight on the card. Champion Georges St Pierre was regarded by many as the pound for pound best MMA fighter in the world and challenger Thiago Alves brought a seven fight win streak and a reputation as the most feared striker in the division.
The day before the fight photographs of the champ showing St. Pierre with a swollen elbow had circulated widely on the internet, causing some to speculate that the champ may be injured going into the fight.
Alves, a huge athlete for the welterweight divsion, had sometimes struggled to make weight for fights, but appeared to have no trouble cutting to 170lbs for the title fight.