MMA Mixed Martial Athlete: GSP vs. Kos

By Jason Kelly

Mixed martial arts have graduated over the years from fighters to fighting athletes, and Georges St Pierre and Josh Koscheck are strong evidence of that. Either one of these guys could have played any professional sport and had reoccurring appearances on the all-star team. They both display an impressive physique along with the speed, power, and finesse that could stand up to any Olympic athlete, while also possessing the fight skills it takes to be considered two of the best welterweight fighters in the world. Since their first meeting at UFC 74, both Koscheck and GSP have enhanced their skills in every facet of MMA.

Koscheck was the beginning of GSP’s dominant reign to regain his UFC belt he lost to Matt Serra. St Pierre has appeared unstoppable since that fight, crushing some incredible advisories along the way and looking exceptionally superior in each fight. GSP has not lost a single round since he fought Koscheck. GSP has become a better, more complete martial artist since that fight with the help of his outstanding coaches but, Koscheck has put together a highlight reel of his own since he lost to Georges. Kos’s head kick knock out over Dustin Hazelett, his brutal knock out Yoshiyuki Yoshida was on the receiving end of, and his manhandling of Paul Daley are just a few examples of the fighter Koscheck has developed into. It has been made public by Koscheck’s training partners and coaches that Kos entered his first bout against GSP with an attitude that embodied ignorance towards another fighter’s wrestling ability, making Kos believe no one could take him down and he could knock out anyone with his powerful right hand. Three years, eight fights later, and a realization process made Kos recognize that Dave Camarillo and the rest of the outstanding coaches at American Kickboxing Association could offer his pigheadedness an opportunity at becoming a champion in the welterweight division if he listened to them.

The athleticism of these two fighters is parallel, which could make the deciding factor be the most intricate, infinitesimal thing. Koscheck’s arrogance encourages people to want to punch him in the face, and Kos uses that to his advantage. Kos wasted no time on The Ultimate Fighter, he irritated the hell out of GSP from episode one, trying to get under the champion’s skin and stay in Georges’ head. Even with the mental sturdiness and focus GSP is synonymous with; he has admitted that Koscheck got to him on the show. Small advantages like that could make a big impact on the outcome. Koscheck will also have to deal mentally rattling issues of his own; the Montreal crowd.

Georges appears to be very motivated to not only win this fight but, inflict damage on Koscheck in a way Koscheck never thought was possible although, the capabilities Koscheck has will not make this an easy fight for GSP. GSP will be matched in every area; if they had a foot race they would go one for one. This is GSP’s athletic finesse vs. Koscheck’s athletic power, neither man will slow down as rounds progress, neither man will arrive at UFC 124 out of shape, meaning both men will show and prove, and UFC’s last fight of 2010 will be remarkable.


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