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Getbig Misc Discussion Boards => Mixed Martial Arts (MMA/UFC) => Topic started by: SinCitysmallGUY on January 31, 2009, 11:17:31 AM
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LAS VEGAS - Nearly 24 years ago, just down the street from the site of Saturday's "UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn II" event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler (60-2-2, at the time) defeated Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns (40-1) in one of the most legendary boxing matches of all time.
Promoted as "The War," the April 1985 event took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and was covered thoroughly across the globe.
UFC President Dana White expects Saturday's rematch between UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and lightweight title-holder B.J. Penn to be just as historic.
"I've been saying the whole time you're lucky if in your lifetime you get to see three or four of these types of fights," White said during Wednesday's UFC 94 press conference. "Two guys in their prime, both hungry, both champions, and both going into the fight wanting to finish each other."
"This is Hagler (vs.) Hearns. This is Hagler (vs. Sugar Ray) Leonard. This is one of those types of fights. And I truly believe the guy that wins this fight on Saturday night walks out there a huge superstar and is on his way to going down in the history books as one of the great fighters to ever live."
While never one to shy away from boastful claims, White isn't too far off with his assessment. The outcome of Saturday's bout is ultimately up to St. Pierre and his opponent, Penn, whom the popular Canadian fighter defeated via split decision during their first meeting in 2006.
However, all the pieces are in place for the show, and more specifically the night's main event, to reach epic proportions. The MGM Grand Garden Arena has long been sold out, and UFC 94 is likely to post one of the biggest live gates in the organization's 16-year history. Aided by a $2 million "UFC Countdown" preview series, the event could also reach some of the biggest PPV numbers the UFC has ever seen.
And while the bout features a rare champion vs. champion format with St. Pierre's belt on the line, the hype is less about the titles and more about the fighters themselves.
"Holding two belts would be very important and historic, but you could win the welterweight title from a less-important opponent, and it wouldn't mean as much," Penn said. "The most important thing is fighting Georges St. Pierre."
St. Pierre, already one of the most impressive and talented fighters in MMA history, could cement his remarkable legacy with a decisive win over a true MMA legend.
"It's a great fight that makes a great champion," St. Pierre said. "For me, as a champion, I want to fight the best guy in the world, and I'm glad it's him." To put on the champion vs. champion bout, the UFC put on hold two divisions' title pictures. Thiago Alves has already earned a shot at St. Pierre's belt, and Kenny Florian has been promised a fight with Penn. Both could be inactive for more than half a year while they await those title shots.
But White scoffs at any criticism over UFC 94's headline fight.
"Who gives a [expletive]?" White said. "Super fights are awesome. Who wouldn't like a super fight to see two of the best in the world? ... It's ridiculous. People are always going to bitch about something.
"If Thiago or Kenny were both in the same position, they'd want the same opportunities these two are going to get. It's like B.J. Penn said. He said it's not about winning the welterweight title; it's about who you win it from. Beating Georges St. Pierre is big. And for Georges St. Pierre, beating B.J. Penn is a big deal. It's a big deal for these. It's a big fight and a big motivator for these guys."
It's also a big fight for the fans, he said.
"If you look at ticket sales and how fired up people are for this fight, super fights are a good thing," White said.