Las Vegas, NV – UFC returns to Montreal's Bell Centre on Dec. 11 when two-time UFC welterweight champion and Montreal native Georges St-Pierre defends against his most heated rival and No. 1 contender Josh Koscheck at UFC 124.
“I love this fight,” UFC President Dana White said. “GSP is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and Josh Koscheck is not the same fighter Georges fought last time. There is no doubt that this is a title fight between the two best 170-pounders in the world. Koscheck told the people of Montreal he’s going to walk into Georges’ hometown and take the title. This fight is going to blow the roof off the Bell Centre.”
One of the greatest champions in UFC history, St-Pierre (fighting out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada / 20-2) has the speed of a lightweight and the takedown power of a light heavyweight. A man that didn’t even wrestle in high school, the 29-year-old welterweight champion has become one of the greatest pure wrestlers/grapplers in the UFC. Exciting wherever the fight goes, the Montreal native is currently riding a seven-fight win streak with names that include UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes, BJ Penn, Jon Fitch, Matt Serra, Thiago Alves, Dan Hardy and Koscheck. In their first meeting, GSP earned a hard-fought unanimous decision against the versatile Koscheck at UFC 74 in 2007 but many in the MMA community have since asked for the inevitable rematch of their exciting battle.
“I’m so happy that I get to fight Josh Koscheck in front of my home crowd,” St-Pierre said. “He was very disrespectful during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter and I didn’t say a word. Now on Dec. 11, I get to answer back with my fists. Last time I fought in Montreal, it was so loud the Octagon was shaking. I know the crowd will be even louder for this fight.”
A wrestler turned complete mixed martial artist, Koscheck (fighting out of Fresno, Calif. / 17-4) has proven to be a finisher in the UFC. The four-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler and 2001 national champion at Edinboro has won four out of his last five fights, including a streak of three in a row. The 32-year-old has proven his versatility with KO wins over Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Frank Trigg, Chris Sanford and Dustin Hazelett and dominating submission victories against Anthony Johnson, Pete Spratt, Ansar Chalangov and Jonathan Goulet. Now the No. 1 contender for the welterweight crown gets ready for the most important fight of his career.
“I’m excited about the fight,” Koscheck said. “It’s a big rematch for me and in life you don't get second chances that often so I plan on taking advantage of this second chance. I am training every aspect of the game and can't wait to go fight in December and bring that belt back to the States. I will put on a show like I always do.”
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