Round 1
Fitch gets a quick double-leg takedown at the bell. Fitch, from guard, ties up both arms and lets go to elbow the head. Fitch is active with his hips, searching for an armbar. GSP goes to half-guard and Fitch stands as chants of “U-S-A” liter the crowd. St. Pierre knocks St. Pierre down with a straight right on the heels of a low kick. St. Pierre pounces with punches from Fitch’s guard. Fitch is hurt as he is taking lots of punishment from the hands of GSP. A wobbly Fitch stands and is hit with a straight right. He looks for a takedown but is stuffed. St. Pierre enters his guard and passes to side-control after landing some sharp elbows.
Round 2
St. Pierre shows a good jab to start the second stage. Fitch lands a left hook to the midsection. GSP lands a switch kick to the lead leg of Fitch. The champion shows good legwork as he moves away from Fitch’s punches. The jab and lowkick continue to score for the champion. St. Pierre doubles up on the jab but doesn’t follow-up. St.Pierre lands a hard right and misses a spinning-back kick. Fitch lands a hard punch and starts to come on. St. Pierre is bleeding at the top of his forehead. The fighters trade jabs and Fitch stuffs a takedown attempt. Fitch lands a right hand and absorbs a counter right hook.
Round 3
Fitch lands a hard right, but is dropped by the champion’s right hook counter. Fitch’s mouthpiece goes flying into the stands but he recovers. Fitch is bleeding heavily. The challenger crawls away from GSP and takes the top position. Fitch is resting in St. Pierre’s guard. Fitch lands a hard right, but is dropped by the champion’s right hook counter. Fitch’s mouthpiece goes flying into the stands but he recovers. Fitch is bleeding heavily under his right eye. The challenger crawls away from GSP and takes the top position. Fitch is resting in St. Pierre’s guard. The Canadian sweeps and is now on top in Fitch’s guard against the fencing. St. Pierre allows Fitch to stand. The champion lands several hard low kicks before going to the clinch against the cage. St. Pierre rocks Fitch with a left knee to the chin and two right-legged head kicks. St. Pierre gets another takedown before the round ends.
Round 4
Fitch lands a right hand that opens a cut near the temple on St. Pierre’s left eye. The champion wipes blood from his face as he absorbs a body kick. St. Pierre defends a Fitch single attempt and kicks the groin. The fighters touch gloves after the incidental contact. Fitch finds range with his jab but the champion shows his own. St. Pierre balances on one leg and sprawls away from a Fitch shot. Fitch ends up in guard, where he takes a grazing elbow off the right side of his face. Fitch kicks the kidney with his right heel and gets to his feet before the round ends.
Round 5
St. Pierre connects with a left hook to start the fifth. A right hook follows. St. Pierre jabs the battered challenger and grazes a spinning-back kick. Fitch smiles and is taken down effortlessly with a single. GSP punches from guard and postures as Fitch tries to go high with his hips. Fitch stands with two minutes remaining. Slick double-leg by the champion is executed as the frustrated challenger puts up little resistance. St. Pierre advances to side-control. Fitch gives up his back and nearly gets to his feet, but is dragged back down. GSP makes it look easy for 25 minutes.
The official judges see the contest 50-43 and 50-44 (twice) for Georges St. Pierre
