Rewatch That time GSP dominated an all-american wrestler.

[joy2day]

It was a well contested fight...

If I recall correctly, they both had a round going into the 3rd and St. Pierre actually won the round because Koscheck shot in for a takedown but St. Pierre defended it and ended up on top...

St. Pierre beat the shit out of him pretty easily in the rematch, though.

It's overstating the case to say it was well contested. One judge and most of the media (as well as fight metric) had it 30-27. It wasn't the total shutout that the second fight was, but it wasn't really close either. GSP was the crystal-clear winner, and it was never close to being in question as far as the final decision.

 

[AstralPanda]

The first time GSP fought with Koscheck, koscheck was a guy that wrestled his whole life.

GSP only had amateur wrestling credentials back then, but i think already wrestling with the canadian olympic team wrestling team.

Koscheck was a division 1 national champion.

And he got a silver in the tournament a year prior

Much higher level than an all American.

Koscheck was definitely too arrogant in the first one, thinking there's no way this guy could take him down. Which truthfully shouldn't have been a far off assumption, but GSP has very high fight iq and understands how to prepare at a higher level than most.

He knew he was going in there against a national champion, so his level of training partners, without question reflected this.

GSP was a good wrestler for mma though. Great balance, great hips. It's said that the karate style actually lends itself well to wrestling.

 

[AndrewGolota48]

I thought this would be about the time he grappled Otto Olson.

 

[dog y]

Junior couldn't even distinguish the first fight from the second and now he's trying to justify it? Screw the yellow card, straight to the red card and permanent ban!

I turned 40. It's nice to be called Junior, somehow.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

Koscheck was overrated. Him and Chad Mendes get the most mileage out of their wrestling backgrounds. It's like if you're a decorated wrestler it counts toward your MMA record somehow. They were good, but hardly beat any elite guys.

Was glad GSP beat dat ass.