UFC 124 St-Pierre vs Koscheck Preview & Picks
The UFC travels to Montreal this weekend for a welterweight title fight that was a long time coming. After coaching the Ultimate Fighter against each other this fall, Georges St-Pierre and Josh Koscheck will finally have their rematch. Will cocky Koscheck slay the champ and get his revenge? Or is this another beatdown waiting to happen?
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UFC 124 – EVENT INFO
Event: UFC 124: GSP vs. Koscheck 2
Date: December 11, 2010
Time: 10PM ET/7PM PT
Location: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Betting: Bet on UFC 124
UFC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP; Georges St-Pierre (20-2) vs Josh Koscheck (15-4)
UFC 124 odds: St-Pierre -450, Koscheck +350
To break down this matchup, we have to ask ourselves what we usually ask when two fighters have already met in the past: who has evolved more since their first meeting?
Josh Koscheck is definitely a better fighter than he was in2007. Back then, he was one-dimensional, a phenomenal collegiate wrestler who hadn’t really learned the striking game. Now, he’s added some heavy hands to his repertoire. He’s not technically perfect but he’s one of the hardest hitters at 170 pounds.
On one hand, it’s hard to say if Georges St-Pierre has “evolved” because he’s been the most complete fighter in his weight class for a good five years. He’s the strongest; he has the best conditioning; he’s the best wrestler; and he can hang with anyone standing up when he chooses to because of his great technique and accuracy with his Karate.
On the other hand – it’s actually possible that GSP is better now. Over the last year, he’s trained more and more with Freddie Roach. Yes, that Freddie Roach. The Freddie Roach who trains Manny Pacquiao and trained Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya. The sky’s the limit for St-Pierre’s boxing skills now.
GSP has taken criticism for becoming a very conservative fighter under coach Greg Jackson, looking to wrestle first and strike second. Three of his last four wins have come via decision. But I think we could see a flash of the old St-Pierre this weekend. Though GSP will have to watch out for Koscheck’s heavy right hand, especially because his chin is still a bit questionable, the whispers around his camp are that he’s found some huge holes in Koscheck’s standup. 
I think GSP’s hard work will pay off with his first knockout in a while this weekend. St-Pierre is extra motivated to beat the man who has bullied him and berated him over the last few months. He’s also just better than Koscheck everywhere. On the ground, he’s stronger. Standing up, he’s faster, more experienced and more technical. Koscheck has a puncher’s chance because of his power, but that’s it. Pick: St-Pierre -450
OTHER UFC 124 FIGHTS TO CONSIDER
Thiago Alves (17-7) vs John Howard (14-5)
UFC 124 odds: Alves -290, Howard +240
Yes, Alves has lost two consecutive fights. Yes, he struggles with weight cutting. But let’s not get carried away. The only guys to beat Pitbull in the last five years are Jon Fitch and Georges St-Pierre. John Howard has good Muay Thai but he’s more of a brawler. Alves combines power with technique. He’s a killer. Take Alves in what could be the best fight of the night. Pick: Alves -290
Charles Oliveira (14-0) vs Jim Miller (18-2)
UFC 124 odds: Oliveira -135, Miller +105
Miller is one of the lightweight division’s most underrated fighters, having won five straight bouts and vaulted himself into the title picture. However, he’s not a special talent. He’s a great grappler but his ceiling doesn’t seem to be high. Charles Oliveira, on the other hand, is something else. This kid looks like a future superstar. He has great submissions, a long reach, unorthodox striking…there’s just something about him. Pick: Oliveira -135
UFC 124: OFFICIAL FIGHT CARD
Main Card
Welterweight Championship Bout: Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Josh Koscheck
Heavyweight bout: Stefan Struve vs. Sean McCorkle
Lightweight bout: Jim Miller vs. Charles Oliveira
Lightweight bout: Joe Stevenson vs. Mac Danzig
Welterweight bout: Thiago Alves vs. John Howard
Preliminary Card
Lightweight bout: Mark Bocek vs. Dustin Hazelett
Middleweight bout: Jesse Bongfeldt vs. Rafael Natal
Welterweight bout: Matt Riddle vs. Sean Pierson
Middleweight bout: Joe Doerksen vs. Dan Miller
Welterweight bout: TJ Grant vs. Ricardo Almeida
Lightweight bout: Pat Audinwood vs. John Makdessi
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