UFC Quick Quote: St. Pierre didn't train as much for Serra
"Georges generally trains hard 6 to 8 weeks before the fight. For this fight, he only trained 4 weeks and he went 1 week in Europe then got ill for a few days when he went back to Canada. His 4 weeks training was more a 3 weeks training sprint, maybe less. According to me, Georges lost his confidence when he entered the octagon, remembering himself he didn't train as hard as he should have did, or as he usually do. He had a lot of questions in his head at that moment. He said in interview he felt his legs and shoulders were heavy, but in the locker room, he didn't felt this way at all. Maybe all those questions affected his confidence. He wasn't mentally in his best shape ... I won't tell he under estimated Serra, but you can't fight at this level with a 3 weeks training camp only to face somebody who did train seriously for 7-8 weeks. Georges could have beaten Serra, but as I said, some little details can truly make the difference..."
-- Stephane Patry -- the manager for former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre -- talks to UltimeFanatic.com about his fighter's preparation for the UFC 69 title fight with Matt Serra, which he lost via technical knockout in round one.
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a refocused, pissed off GSP is bad news for the rest of the Welterwieghts…just look what happend after his last loss, he dismantled Mayhem, then ran a clinic on Trigg, and then disfigured Sherk all right in a row…and that was when he was just a contender a lossed to the champion, just think when now he is the best ww in the world….i hope they feed him Koscheck
by MMA Dude on Apr 19, 2007 11:09 AM EDT reply actions
This is the last thing i wanted to see. St. Pierre usually owns up to defeat with no excuses, i think this is why he is held in such high regard. Don’t come in now with this i didnt train enough BS. You got beat, probably would never happen the same way again, but it did happen. And training had nothing to do with it. Stay classy GSP, just come back and kick some ass and leave the talking BS to Tito and other punks.
by SoCalMMA on Apr 19, 2007 11:14 AM EDT reply actions
Man regardless for GSP to not train for his first title defense shows that he didn’t deserve to be champ. I guess he thought he had a “by” with Serra and now he must feel like a dumbass. Hopefully he will grow up a little from this and live up to his potential.
by BLOodyMEss on Apr 19, 2007 11:17 AM EDT reply actions
This is the last thing i wanted to see. St. Pierre usually owns up to defeat with no excuses, i think this is why he is held in such high regard. Don’t come in now with this i didnt train enough BS. You got beat, probably would never happen the same way again, but it did happen. And training had nothing to do with it. Stay classy GSP, just come back and kick some ass and leave the talking BS to Tito and other punks.
It was St. Pierre’s manager. St. Pierre has never made an excuse as far as I can tell. There’s a big difference.
by UFCmania on Apr 19, 2007 11:22 AM EDT reply actions
I understand that mania, but you would think your manager and you would have each others best interests in mind when making staements to the public and also would be on the same page about whats being said. It reflects mostly on GSP, does it not?
by SoCalMMA on Apr 19, 2007 11:27 AM EDT reply actions
No SoCalMMA, it does not reflect mostly on GSP. Managers have the job of promoting their fighter and making sure he’s paid. GSP’s job is to fight. GSP has been adamant about not making excuses.
Having said that, I woudlnt be surprised if GSP denies what his manager said.
by Mahde on Apr 19, 2007 11:35 AM EDT reply actions
Man regardless for GSP to not train for his first title defense shows that he didn’t deserve to be champ. I guess he thought he had a “by” with Serra and now he must feel like a dumbass. Hopefully he will grow up a little from this and live up to his potential.
Didn’t deserve to be champ? Give me a fuckin break, he’s the best fighter the UFC has right now he just got caught with a lucky punch that happened to be from really heavy hands. He never thought he had a “by” as he said many times in previous interviews he was the only one that wasn’t underestimating Matt Sera because he had the oppurtunity of a life time. Grow up and live up to his potential? He has by far the most class in this game, he shows up to interviews in 3 piece suits and never has anything bad to say about anyone he has more than potential, he is what all MMA fighters should be.
by KennyV on Apr 19, 2007 11:36 AM EDT reply actions
No SoCalMMA, it does not reflect mostly on GSP. Managers have the job of promoting their fighter and making sure he’s paid. GSP’s job is to fight. GSP has been adamant about not making excuses.
Having said that, I woudlnt be surprised if GSP denies what his manager said.
Then he stepped outside his job duties with this comment? If you were GSP wouldn’t you be mad about something like that?
by SoCalMMA on Apr 19, 2007 11:39 AM EDT reply actions
I think GSP always comes in shape for a fight.I think he may have just underestimated Serra just a little,and thats all it takes.
by Paul on Apr 19, 2007 11:45 AM EDT reply actions
If GSP trotted his manager out to say that or approved of it, I’ve certainly lost some respect for him. GSP has a reputation for being an honorable guy that mans-up without excuse. The “Georges could’ve beaten Serra” sounds a lot like Travis Lutter’s “I could’ve beaten Silva” crap. They both had their chance to train hard, make weight and prove that they’re worthy champions. That they didn’t showed that somebody else deserves to wear the belts.
I understand that people want to explain a reason for losing, if only to themselves so they can figure out what went wrong. But claiming that GSP would’ve won if not for a lack of confidence due to a lack of training doesn’t seem right. Serra could’ve slacked off, gotten sick, gotten injured, came in too heavy, lacked confidence – whatever – but he didn’t. That night he was the better fighter and deserved to win. Hopefully, GSP isn’t feeling sorry for himself and is back training hard.
by Hyde on Apr 19, 2007 12:06 PM EDT reply actions
I think GSP always comes in shape for a fight.I think he may have just underestimated Serra just a little,and thats all it takes.
This is exactly what happen. On the interviews you can say all you want about not underestimating an opponent and that your going to train hard for him. In GSP’s case it was all a bluff. Even with 3-4 weeks whatever, the guy is so good he should of handled this fight with no problem. Serra on the other hand worked hard, and realized this was a great opportunity win or lose unlike that dumb ass Travis Lutter. GSP plain and simple took this guy light and got caught. 9out 10 times GSp wins the fight. Of course I’m not saying anything we all don’t already know RIGHT!
by Stafo on Apr 19, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions
I hope GSP fights Hughes again, and knocks his ass out of contention forever
by Stafo on Apr 19, 2007 12:50 PM EDT reply actions
Gsp is a stud and if his manager speaks out it doesn’t take anything away from the classy st.pierre, its his MANAGER not georges talking, free speech, to all the control freaks calm down. St.pierre did seem a little off and serra did have way more time than him to train but I don’t think that was the reason georges lost. I think georges sub consciously under estimated or over looked serra’s stand up which was improved but still not even close to georges level. The punch that stunned georges was thrown by serra with his head down and wildly, hitting an artery and the rest is history. Where the hit landed was lucky, but what serra did after, keeping the pressure on was impressive not repeating the karo fight and learning from his mistakes. I doubt georges even thought of the possibility of serra stunning him and had a poor game plan if it happened. I totally agree with stafo georges could talk all he wanted about not underestimating serra but how could he not, serra’s not in the same universe as georges with his past fights and everything indicated it would be an easy fight. I’m pretty sure he won’t make the same mistake again and will make a huge wake through the welter weights like never before.
by nathan on Apr 19, 2007 1:18 PM EDT reply actions
His manager needs to shut the hell up. and georges gave Serra a few extra months when he delayed the fight from its original date that was his downfall
by RoB on Apr 19, 2007 1:26 PM EDT reply actions
I hope GSP fights Hughes again, and knocks his ass out of contention forever
i completely agree it would be even better if serra did it though like to see Hughes explain that one
by RoB on Apr 19, 2007 1:27 PM EDT reply actions
Agrees Rob, would love to see Serra man handle HUghes. Now that would be great. We all know GSP would stomp him again.
by SoCalMMA on Apr 19, 2007 1:29 PM EDT reply actions
We all saw Hughes excited reaction when GSP lost, I don’t think his excitment was because he was going to fight Sera I think it’s because he wasn’t going to have to fight GSP again.
by KennyV on Apr 19, 2007 1:43 PM EDT reply actions
Sorry to kill the dream but there’s no way serra is going to man handle hughes, poor serra is in for a beating and doesn’t know it. Like sanchez after the riggs fight serra will have an unrealistic sense of himself and his abilities and hughes is going to be hungry for the belt, I highly doubt serra pulls off two miracles in a row. I think both gsp and hughes will make a big statement with there next unfortunate opponents, along with sanchez. I hate to say this but hughes is already in serra’s head and I think serra is going to make some stupid mistakes when they fight.
by nathan on Apr 19, 2007 1:44 PM EDT reply actions
It would be nice to see Serra beat Hughes no matter how it comes. Suprise knock out, submission, decision, I don’t care. Just take the country boy out!
by Stafo on Apr 19, 2007 2:09 PM EDT reply actions
I hope Hughes wins and gets his belt back, cuz god knows if he does, he aitn gonna have it for long, and I wanna see him lose a belt again.
Predictions? After Hughes beats serra and ST. pierre runs over everyone in his way to get a title shot again. Hughes Vs. St. Pierre III looks almost like a sure thing.
But Pierre will be fighting the hughes the wrestler agian this tiem, not hughes the “boxer”, cuz lets face it, those half ass two second take down attempts in the 2nd fight were not the same as the ones hughes used to succesfully take down pierre multiple times in there first fight.
Even still though, hughes didnt look the same against lytle, so I give it to a hungry focused Pierre.
by Exceptional on Apr 19, 2007 3:50 PM EDT reply actions
Lets face it, St. Pierre was NOT focused going into that fight. Watch his ring entrance, he seemed tight, almost a little nervous. And he got caught. Just like he said in his post fight interview, he just didn’t feel right. He is normally jumping up and down, loose and ready to kick some ass. Not against Serra. I too feel sorry for his next opponent though, they are in for a long night.
by Jake on Apr 19, 2007 5:33 PM EDT reply actions
Was it just me or did GSP look smaller than usual in the serra fight. Maybe theres some truth to this excuse.
by jason bang on Apr 19, 2007 7:34 PM EDT reply actions
Gsp definitely looked off to me and said in a later interview he felt sick, mentally coming into the fight and had a bad case of nerves. He also said he felt very stiff and had difficulty landing punches and moving normally. Man I really hope gsp gets the mental part of this down, what a waste of talent if he doesn’t stay on top. As much as most dislike hughes the guy has superior mental toughness and has defended his title so many times, I really think serra is going to be a one time champ and never get the belt again….duh. I think it was sort of bizarre that gsp’s equilibrium was so affected by that graze to the head, he said he couldn’t tell up from down after that. I hope some day gsp’s mental prowess is on par with his physical abilities, nothing would stop him…other than a fluky punch.
by nathan on Apr 19, 2007 7:58 PM EDT reply actions
Jason Bang:
I said the exact same thing to all my buddies when I watched him walk in the ring, his arms are what stuck out to me, looked much smaller. GSP wont make the same mistake agian, I still can’t believe this happened.
by The Anomaly on Apr 19, 2007 8:08 PM EDT reply actions
i thought we were over trying to make excuses for GSP. he got KTFO Serra conquered his nerves. GSP lost. Serra just had his number that night IMO Serra knew exactly what he needed to do and everthing else fell into place call it lucky dont really care he made it happen . if there is a rematch i’m pretty sure GSP would win but serra won the first fight. No excuses. Go take your excuses to big Poopie or someone who else who can help you make excuses
by RoB on Apr 19, 2007 8:10 PM EDT reply actions
I want to see GSP champ again,and i’m sure he will be.But i think Hughes v.s Serra would be a better fight.There sort of built the same and both very strong,I think that it would be on the ground most of the fight.Hopefullly Serra kicks his ass.
by Paul on Apr 19, 2007 9:02 PM EDT reply actions
Speak for yourself rob I can say what ever the f**k I want, just trying to make sense of the fight. Go f**k yourself, write what your want and I will write what I want, don’t tell people what they can and can’t write. Its just my OPINION, that the only way I think serra could win is by some fluke, live with it. Its only natural for people to try to explain the bizarre and talk about why something happened that wasn’t supposed to happen.
by nathan on Apr 19, 2007 9:21 PM EDT reply actions
I agree with nathan. You can talk all you want about why GSP lost. He didnt train hard enough he underestimated him whatver you think. But it all comes down to he made one mistake and got caught with a punch and in MMA that means you are gonna lose. This can happen to anyone. Its not like Serra dominated GSP for 5 round, in fact GSP was definately winning the fight up to that point, he simply got caught with a punch. The term “puncher’s chance” may be a bit of cliche, but there’s a reason people say it anyone that can hit as hard as Serra or most people that make it to the UFC always have a chance to win if they can catch a punch right on the button. I dont think GSP underestimated Serra at all he simply got caught with a punch. They could probably fight 10 more times and GSP would win 9 or 10 of them but no one, even Chuck or Fedor, is invincible.
by Timothy Willett on Apr 19, 2007 11:07 PM EDT reply actions
sorry for breakin up the GSP love fest, and sorry if i really offended you nathan i’m all about free speech thats why i love this website.
by RoB on Apr 19, 2007 11:49 PM EDT reply actions
ok guys you both have good points the fact is SERRA GOT LUCKY end of story no more than that.they should feed kos to hughes then to serra hughes eats them both alive then gets his assed whoop by gsp.
by STAND AND BANG on Apr 20, 2007 4:03 AM EDT reply actions
Hughes was an ahole to GSP and GSP got pissed. Serra takes him out to dinner and knocks him TFO. You just gotta be nice to Georges.
by MoreThanUFC on Apr 20, 2007 5:33 AM EDT reply actions
Well, if GSP’s manager feels that the short camp hurt his fighter, what about the fact that Hughes fought GSP seven weeks after a tough win over Penn. I am not making excuses for Hughes, just positing an explanation for his loss.
Anyway, GSP is all class, so I would not attribute his camp’s excuses to him. GSP took the loss like a man and he will be back.
by True Believer on Apr 20, 2007 7:26 AM EDT reply actions
This is the last thing i wanted to see. St. Pierre usually owns up to defeat with no excuses, i think this is why he is held in such high regard. Don’t come in now with this i didnt train enough BS. You got beat, probably would never happen the same way again, but it did happen. And training had nothing to do with it. Stay classy GSP, just come back and kick some ass and leave the talking BS to Tito and other punks.
it was his manager who said that actualy mate.HA HA RETARD
by mcanena on Apr 20, 2007 11:21 AM EDT reply actions
Georges said in the interview with joe rogan that his fight with serra will be his most dangerous fight to date because he likes serra more than any other fighter he fought. He also stated he would never fight a friend which makes me think he has a real problem letting go against someone he likes, I really hope he never fights someone he likes again. The guy is almost too nice to be a fighter and really needs to get the killer instinct down for his performance to match his talent.
by nathan on Apr 20, 2007 11:55 AM EDT reply actions
it was his manager who said that actualy mate.HA HA RETARD
Ya we went over this already. If your gonna try and call someone out have some good ammo. Lame, Lame Lame.
by SoCalMMA on Apr 20, 2007 1:07 PM EDT reply actions
I really want to see a rematch between penn and hughes . They really dislike each other , and of course i’m pulling for penn.Like to see hughes get his ass beat down.
GO PENN !!!!!
by jb on Apr 27, 2007 1:02 AM EDT reply actions
pierre wwas getting his ass kicked until BJ Penn ran out of gas !!!
by jr on May 18, 2007 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
I agree with nathan. You can talk all you want about why GSP lost. He didnt train hard enough he underestimated him whatver you think. But it all comes down to he made one mistake and got caught with a punch and in MMA that means you are gonna lose. This can happen to anyone. Its not like Serra dominated GSP for 5 round, in fact GSP was definately winning the fight up to that point, he simply got caught with a punch. The term “puncher’s chance” may be a bit of cliche, but there’s a reason people say it anyone that can hit as hard as Serra or most people that make it to the UFC always have a chance to win if they can catch a punch right on the button. I dont think GSP underestimated Serra at all he simply got caught with a punch. They could probably fight 10 more times and GSP would win 9 or 10 of them but no one, even Chuck or Fedor, is invincible.
FEDOR IS THE KING AND THE REST ARE , WELL,THE REST
by ken [vancouver,b.c.] on May 26, 2007 3:01 AM EDT reply actions

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