A much-anticipated champion-versus-champion bout is official, as Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight king Georges St-Pierre will take on Strikeforce champ Nick Diaz.
The match, talked about from the moment UFC parent company Zuffa LLC purchased Strikeforce earlier this year, was confirmed Wednesday by UFC president Dana White. The bout will headline UFC 137 on Oct. 29 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
St-Pierre is one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history. Undefeated since regaining his title in 2008 against Matt Serra, he has defeated BJ Penn, Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck, Dan Hardy and Thiago Alves.
Diaz, a UFC veteran prior to his Strikeforce days, has beaten the likes of Paul Daley, Frank Shamrock, KJ Noons and Scott Smith. Some critics feel his style — powerful striking and strong jiu-jitsu — could be what it takes to end St-Pierre’s reign.
UFC did not confirm whether Diaz’s Strikeforce title would be on the line, although according to a report on MMA Fighting, Diaz trainer Cesar Gracie expressed doubt that it would be.
According to the report, Gracie said Las Vegas and a Canadian city were in consideration as host sights, with UFC eventually choosing Sin City.
Source: vancouversun.com
The match, talked about from the moment UFC parent company Zuffa LLC purchased Strikeforce earlier this year, was confirmed Wednesday by UFC president Dana White. The bout will headline UFC 137 on Oct. 29 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
St-Pierre is one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history. Undefeated since regaining his title in 2008 against Matt Serra, he has defeated BJ Penn, Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck, Dan Hardy and Thiago Alves.
Diaz, a UFC veteran prior to his Strikeforce days, has beaten the likes of Paul Daley, Frank Shamrock, KJ Noons and Scott Smith. Some critics feel his style — powerful striking and strong jiu-jitsu — could be what it takes to end St-Pierre’s reign.
UFC did not confirm whether Diaz’s Strikeforce title would be on the line, although according to a report on MMA Fighting, Diaz trainer Cesar Gracie expressed doubt that it would be.
According to the report, Gracie said Las Vegas and a Canadian city were in consideration as host sights, with UFC eventually choosing Sin City.
Source: vancouversun.com