Georges St. Pierre Hits Manila - Highlights and Photo Gallery
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 27, 2010 4:21 AM EDT
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Georges St. Pierre's visit to the Philippines had his schedule fully stocked with a myriad of PR duties, press conferences, radio and tv appearances. When he is not being mobbed by fans at the airport, at lunch (where he and his manager ate balut), at a party -- well, basically everywhere he went -- the UFC star still manages to continue training at least twice a day. Coming from 2 flights and an 18-hour trip, St. Pierre battled jet lag, met the fans, and even managed to have 7 workouts squeezed in his tiring 3-day schedule. Two of which includes a training session with Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach [video], and an open-work out in front of thousands and thousands of fans.
So why doesn't he just take a break and relax during his first visit to Asia? St. Pierre went on Boys Night Out and talked about staying disciplined to constantly keep improving:
"Yeah, I train always train everyday no matter what. I don't have a day off. I don't train hard everyday, like I trained really relaxed today. My mentality is that when I go sleep at night, I'm a better martial artist than when I woke up in the morning. So no matter what happens in my day, I know that at night, when I go to bed, I learned something new, and I'm a better guy than when I woke up in the morning"
St. Pierre is already considered as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but to him, that isn't enough. The UFC welterweight champion addressed the Philippine crowd on his open-workout, and said that his goal is to be the guy that truly brings the sport of Mixed Martial Arts out in the mainstream:
"It's more than actually performing inside the Octagon. I want to be the guy that brings the sport of mixed martial arts into another level, to make the sport of mixed martial arts mainstream. That's one of the main reasons of why I am here. It's my first time in the Philippines, I want to promote the sport of mixed martial arts, and take away the stereotype."
...
"I want to be remembered as the best, but I also want to be remembered, like I said -- There is something more appealing [than] to be the best. I want to be the greatest. I want to be the guy that brings the sport to another level."
St. Pierre, who was blown away by the huge number of Filipino fans who came to see him, said after the open-workout that he would gladly headline a Philippine UFC card if the Zuffa brass finally decides to bring a show to the country -- and based on the ovation he got, Filipinos would surely love to see that as well.
After the jump, an exclusive photo-gallery from his open-work out dubbed as "GSP Hits Manila - Experience the Rush".
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He looks huge.
He looks a lot more ripped when he cuts down to 170. He has a bit of a belly going on in the second picture, lol.
It’s a good thing that Filipino fans are taking quite a shine to MMA and the UFC. I can’t wait to seem Philippines pump out some fighters for the UFC.
agreed..
It would be nice to have someone native fight for the ufc…I know they have brandon vera , and mark munoz but they were both born in the states to my knowlege…
Also...
they both suck. I really hope they get their act together (especially Vera).
by ultima0chaotic on Sep 26, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Suck
is a bit extreme… I would say that both guys have yet to really put all their physical and technical skills together against top comp. More unrealized potential than just plain bad (that’s an oversimplification of the issue).
They both have wins over good guys, but lack the mental fortitude and focus required to do so consistently.
You can read my work over @ http://www.headkicklegend.com/
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Sep 26, 2010 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, I know
That’s frustration talking from inside of me.
I’m a big fan of both, so it’s very frustrating when they lose fight they could have done better or even won.
by ultima0chaotic on Sep 26, 2010 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Munoz was born in Japan
Yokosuka, on the U.S. Navy base
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so xxxxxxx stupid." – Phil Baroni
by keyboardwarrior on Sep 26, 2010 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
for what it's worth,
there has been some talk about zuffa being interested in Lakay Wushi stars, Belingon (WEC BW) and Folayang (UFC LW)… I hope it happens though.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 27, 2010 12:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Definitely.
Folayang is a good wrestler for a guy who uses Wushu as a primary style. I think he will do just fine in the Lightweight division of either the UFC or WEC.
by ultima0chaotic on Sep 27, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
He looks horribly over-inflated.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
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Definitely ...
Has a bit of the chuck belly, but I think that’s just GSP’s physique. Some guys just have that weird build where their chest muscles do not protrude as far as their abs.
He did look big
I was ringside in this particular event, and I too didn’t expect that he’d be this big. He really did look like he was 185ish to me.
Props to GSP though coz man he went out of his way to promote MMA, even guesting in a noontime show where he was made to dance to the beat of their intro song, really awkward (I was cringing as I was watching it, because he didn’t have to do it), but he was a good sport about it. It doesn’t get as mainstream as that here.
by nicholaskulas on Sep 27, 2010 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions
forgot to post the link. damn subject lines, how do they work?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvhvcKFGFSc
Pro-wrestling and MMA: I have the best of both worlds.
The "belly" is indicative of core strength
You see a similar thing in lots of hockey players, where core strength is insanely important and where most of the power in your shot is generated. This is what makes GSP so powerful at takedowns and so difficult to hold down on the ground.
Sometimes a more aesthetic trunk can also have a powerful core, like Thiago Alves, but he’s a short guy with gobs of muscles.
Andoerson Silva and Fedor are two other guys without that picturesque core. It’s almost a pattern…
wow , it looks like the love him out there..
I think when the ufc finaly does a show there it will be freakin huge… I wish they could have sent a somebody to film the entire trip…
I think they did
I saw an advertisement regarding his visit to the Philippines, I think they did film it as a UFC special, it’s going to be shown on tv here next week I think.
by nicholaskulas on Sep 27, 2010 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions
GSP is also quoted as saying,
It will be a Killa, And a chilla, And a thrilla. When I get the gorilla(lesnar) in Manila
'Ello G'vnor!
by IHateMMA on Sep 26, 2010 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
he would gladly headline a Philippine UFC card
nah, its not going to happen.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
But I won’t pick against Jon Jones again until I see him lose. - Kwisatz Haderach
I doubt it as well.
Hell, I’ll be happy with a Bisping/Akiyama level of a headliner, cause beggars can’t be choosers. haha
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 27, 2010 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Jesus Christ.
Georges looks like a moster in these pics. He has to be around 200lbs.
I could be sitting here with just pee stains on my rug.
At this rate he’s going to get bigger than Rashad. I’m not sure he’s big enough to hang with Anderson, but I really want to see him try.
"There's this image that you have, this interior image of something that's absolutely perfect, and that's your signpost, your guide. And you'll never get there. But without it you'll never get anywhere."
It’s football season.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
CagesideSeats.com
Follow me on Twitter at GenoMrosko
by Geno Mrosko on Sep 26, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep and it has been for the past two weeks when MMANation was on.
I could be sitting here with just pee stains on my rug.
by Earl Montclair on Sep 26, 2010 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Easy, killer. Making an obvious observation. He has repeatedly stated that they constantly get preempted for football coverage in his area. Hard to compete in Washington with the Redskins during football season.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
CagesideSeats.com
Follow me on Twitter at GenoMrosko
"killer" lol....here ya go.
I could be sitting here with just pee stains on my rug.
by Earl Montclair on Sep 27, 2010 3:31 AM EDT up reply actions
If the UFC did weekly shows, then yes they might be able to do one in the Philippines once a year. As it is though, the largest practical venue I could find (read: not outdoors), was Araneta Coliseum which seats about 25,000. The UFC could go and sell that place out but they’d have to price-point the tickets lower and sacrifice fights that could be used on a North American PPV that wouldn’t have to be aired on a delay. It would be helpful in cementing the market, but it’s still very much a secondary market for them unfortunately, so it’ll be a while.
it wouldnt have to be on a delay.. they could air the fights on a sunday afternoon.
the fights will then be on a saturday night here…
There is a 12 hour time difference between Manila and the U.S. East Coast, and 13 hours during U.S. Daylight Savings. If they wanted the fights to start at their normal time of 10 PM EST they’d have to start at either 10 AM or 11 AM on Sunday depending on the time of year. I don’t know how realistic that is.
Actually, scratch that. The main card would have to start no later than 11 AM. The prelims would start at 9 AM. That’s just not gonna happen, sorry.
I think u might be incorect...
The ufc did a card in ausssie land on a sunday and it aired normal time here… aussie is relativley close to time as the philippines… also they are used to watching pacuqio fight early on sunday mornings….
yep
UFC cards start at 10am here. I don’t think it would be a problem for people to do that… I remember Donaire’s last boxing title defense here was also held in at around 12noon, to accommodate the US audience
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 28, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
You realize how easy this is to google, right? Manila and Sydney are two hours apart, and three during Australia’s Daylight Savings Time which was when the UFC did their PPV there. There’s a significant difference between starting a show at noon and starting one at 9 am. I would think that might cut into ticket sales to start that early (the ticket prices, even reduced from Vegas prices, are already going to make it prohibitive to the vast majority of Filipinos). If Tabuena thinks starting a card (the undercard) at 9 am (when the U.S. is outside of their DST, otherwise it’s 8 am) is still feasible, I’ll defer to him though, since he’s from there.
Awesome stuff Anton.
What’s your camera set up?
"Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb."
I was using a Rebel T1i, (not that great, but it does it's job)
and I had 250mm zoom lens cause I was farrrrr. (stupid crazy people where waiting several hours earlier than when I came there)
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 27, 2010 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Based on this and...
that video of GSP on that show, I can see a UFC event in the Philippines doing gang buster numbers…Dana really needs to focus there before less hospitable locations like Germany and China.
I like Fedor, it’s just his fans that are intolerable...and his management.
They were already set to start promoting over there
then Brandon Vera started to suck. I think the UFC needs to find some legit filipino contenders before they can have an event there. Same with China.
Seems to be, based on the GSP love...
that waiting on a strong Filipino fighter is a waste of time. Just start promoting fights there and the rest will fall into place.
I like Fedor, it’s just his fans that are intolerable...and his management.
true.
They think Filipinos will only latch on to Filipino fighters. Well this certainly isn’t the case. If Fighter A is loved in the states, they will most likely loved here as well because the country is probably the most westernized in Asia… do they need further proof from Chuck and GSP’s visits? Hell even not-so-famous artists in the US, draw huge huge crowds here.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 27, 2010 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Nice Anton
GSP looks absolutely huge throwing that upper cut. He looks like a mini Overeem. He might be too big for his frame.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
Are you implying that Georges’ has unbelievable genetics? You know Jackson’s gym wouldn’t tolerate that because they are squeeky clean. So squeeky that they can easily evade top-level high guard as well as any ankle-locks that come their way.
Did you see the size of that chicken?
Careful...
some other Troll might take up residence under your bridge while you’re out surfing the net.
I like Fedor, it’s just his fans that are intolerable...and his management.
I’m desperate for responses. Stating the obvious seemed like the thing to do. Especially since the evidence is posted in the photos above. Not only does he lack the shine of the normal GSP, he’s huge and shredded. Two things that normally don’t go with one another.
Did you see the size of that chicken?
They see me trollin’, they hatin’
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former - Albert Einstein"
- Goonisis
he looks more fat then anything
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former - Albert Einstein"
- Goonisis
If that’s fat than I am clinically obese.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
by Neil Manich on Sep 26, 2010 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
You don’t see the belly? You don’t see how the abs are less defined then they usually are?
And come on you donks, he’s obviously not fat. He’s freak athlete fat. And it’s expected. Guy’s in the middle of a long layoff and months out from a fight.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former - Albert Einstein"
- Goonisis
Uhh
Maybe it was because he was taking a deep breathe? But in no possible way can you say he looks fat.
You really can't notice a difference?
No more pictures though. The levels of the gay are approaching critical levels.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former - Albert Einstein"
- Goonisis
No
We definitely can tell a difference. That’s why we are saying he is bigger. Because he is. But he is not fat.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
by Neil Manich on Sep 27, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Don't be scared,
The levels of the gay are approaching critical levels.
Don’t be scared, homie.
I could be sitting here with just pee stains on my rug.
by Earl Montclair on Sep 27, 2010 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
goddamn proofreading fail
I could be sitting here with just pee stains on my rug.
by Earl Montclair on Sep 27, 2010 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions
only if you hold me
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former - Albert Einstein"
- Goonisis
Pacquiao
He was asked this question, he said Pacquiao’s going to make him look old (if it’s a boxing match).
He also brought a really good muay thai fighter from Thailand with over 300+ fights (Sheewin Srisuk) to spar with him, if there was scoring, the muay thai fighter would’ve won. He was much faster than GSP, he was checking GSP’s leg kicks easily. I know it’s not his strength but he said he learned a lot of things from said trainer, so he still can/will improve his standup skills.
by nicholaskulas on Sep 27, 2010 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL @ ppl critizing GSPs body.
Elite athletes always concentrate more on high calorie, high protein diets + heavy lifting and weight training in the off season. Then during camp they start to dial back the diet and go into a “maintence lifting” program that minimizes fatigue and injury.
Before a 12 week camp, he’s going to need some of those extra pounds, bc once he gets into camp he’s going to be buring thousands of calories a day.
Great stuff Anton...
I’m glad that we actually have someone “on the scene,” so to speak, to cover such an important event. While it’s true that other UFC fighters have been to the PI, GSP seems to have brought many more “mainstream” eyes with him. Great write up and great shots!
yung super taas talaga? hinde, pero nakita ko rin sila haha… nasa 2nd floor kami, in the middle, being squished by a bunch of random sweaty dudes.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 27, 2010 6:20 AM EDT up reply actions
yup yun nga, yung kalevel ng guards, im one of those random sweaty dudes na may bitbit na ecobags haha..
kala ko special passes ka or something
badtrip nga eh, wala akong nakuha.
ABS-CBN kasi yung naghhandle. If URCC may connect, at least pwede ko makausap about it eh…
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 28, 2010 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Great post, Anton !
Well, anybody who knows me knows I'm no fan of dictionaries or reference books. They're elitist. Constantly telling us what is or isn't true. Or what did or didn't happen.
Great pics Anton, thx. Hope you’re getting paid for this or else you’re missing out.
To save me some time on 25% of all threads, here's the universal answer to the Fedor-debate: Fedor is the most accomplished MMA fighter ever. That is a fact. If he still is the best fighter at this point in time is up for debate.
Great coverage, Anton!
Being a filipino-canadian myself, I can’t help but feel proud to see GSP being so well received by my native people. I wouldn’t be surprised if the first thing he was asked when getting off the plane was, “Are you hungry, Mr. Georges?” That’s just how us filipinos are. Can’t help but be hospitable and friendly to a guest.
Again, great pics and coverage!
by KenCanFightBear on Sep 27, 2010 8:30 AM EDT reply actions
great post Anton...
my wife is filipino and we just love to hear about mma in the philipines… I was wondering if u knew how many people went to the open workout? And was also wondering if there was a buzz in the local news about Gsp?
mma is still not as big as boxing here in the Phils. But mma’s popularity is steadily growing. And with chuck’s then gsp’s recent visit, it certainly gave a big boost for the mainstream awareness for the sport.
No surprise MMA isn’t as big as boxing in the Phillipines when they’re home to friggin Pacquiao. ;)
by kinzoku_baka on Sep 27, 2010 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not so sure if it's such a huge gap...
sure Manny is absolutely freaking gigantic here, but when you look at the two sports as a whole — how many people actually watch non-pacquiao boxing here? Certainly much less than the people who watch MMA/UFC shows. Pacquiao, is truly mainstream here, but the sport of boxing as a whole? I’m not so sure anymore… Especially if you look at the key 18-34 yr old demographic.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 27, 2010 12:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
first off, great job anton!
when it comes to viewing numbers, of course boxing has the advantage (when it comes to pacquiao, everything literally stops when he has a live match going on), but when he’s not fighting, i dunno. When it comes to MMA, I know more people involved in MMA than I do in boxing(teammates, workmates etc), discounting the numbers who are non-mma practitioners that are my friends. We go to outback where they show live MMA events to watch it with other MMA afficionados (including professional basketball players here) which we would not do when boxing is involved.
Boxing and martial arts in the Philippines go hand in hand. We literally grew up watching boxing and Filipinos are very knowledgeable when it comes to combat sports. I remember watching manny back when he was not famous (blow by blow was the show) just because my family loves watching boxing. Even my grandma watches boxing.
TKD and Karate were popular here even before UFC hit bigtime, Arnis and Kali were practiced (back when I didn’t know how it would benefit me). now i’m a yawyan practitioner (a FILIPINO martial art and a muay thai rival here), and my teammates don’t even watch UFC, I think it’s just the culture here. Filipinos embrace combat sports.
by nicholaskulas on Sep 27, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not sure if they released the numbers yet
…I am certainly no expert at estimating the sizes of crowds, but if I had to guess, I’d say he did 6-8k. They said chuck drew 4k+ fans, but this one certainly had wayyy more people.
by Anton Tabuena on Sep 27, 2010 12:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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