Published 09/30/2022, 11:42 AM EDT
Friendly challenges have become common, now that combat sports have risen to become one of most viewed sports. These challenges are usually taken in light and are intended to be just for fun. These matches are enjoyed and carry almost no tensions between the parties involved. Although these are friendly fights, they catch the reactions of many professionals, as well.
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The Canadian heavyweight ice-hockey player, Georges Laraque, had challenged his friend and fellow Canadian, Georges St. Pierre, to a grappling match. Georges St. Pierre accepted the friendly challenge, and grappled with Laraque at the Tristar Gym, in Montreal. This match not only saw cheers from the gym, but also from Jorge Masvidal, the record holder for the fastest knockout in UFC.
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Georges St. Pierre grapples with Georges Laraque
Big Georges Laraque and George St. Pierre had appeared on ‘Off the Record’, where Georges Laraque promised to use his heavier body against ‘Rush’. But the event didn’t go as per Laraque’s plans.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 04: Georges St-Pierre of Canada prepares to enter the Octagon prior to facing Michael Bisping of England in their UFC middleweight championship bout during the UFC 217 event inside Madison Square Garden on November 4, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
George St. Pierre, nicknamed GSP and ‘Rush’, has a record of 26-2-0, and is a former UFC Welterweight champion. Going against him was not going to be an easy feat for Laraque. GSP used his speed and technique to take down Big Georges Laraque. When asked if Laraque’s size was a problem, GSP replied, “Oh yeah. It is. But, I don’t play against his strength. I play against his weaknesses.”
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Georges Laraque stood his ground for the three 2-minute rounds. The entire match was filled with smiles and cheers. Even though Laraque lost, the memory of the fight definitely goes into the good box of memories. “That’s much harder than hockey game or NHL fight. I couldn’t imagine fighting someone in my own size,” said Laraque. ‘Rush’ impressed him.
‘Rush’ praised Laraque, showing respect that he actually showed up for the fight and was a lot harder to grapple than what he had imagined. “I’m sure if I would have shown him a couple of technique, if he would train as much as me, he would have beat me,” said Georges St. Pierre. He added that if he went against Laraque on the ice, the fighter would have faced defeat himself.
Jorge Masvidal reacts to the grappling match
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The friendly battle between GSP and Georges Laraque did not escape the eyes of Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal, the welterweight fighter at UFC.
He posted on his Facebook page, saying, “This is wild AF!”.
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It sure was fun to watch the match. Such matches do catch a lot of attention and praise from the entire community. What are your thoughts on it?