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"I see myself [in Mousasi], but two weight classes above. He's a great fighter. He's very open-minded. He's amazing. He taught me two great techniques. Those two things I learned today are worth my whole trip. I'm very happy, and I'm going to be working on it a lot... [Gegard] does things that he doesn't even know he does well. He does things he doesn't think about. He just does it. It's really amazing. It's something not everybody has. You can't teach that. There is something from him that I know I can learn. If I can help him at the same time, we both are going to gain from each other. It's a great experience. If I could have a choice between money, fame or wisdom and knowledge, I would take wisdom first, without hesitation. I'm already a better fighter than I was before the practice. I have more knowledge."
-UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre talks to Josh Gross at SI.com about training with Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi heading into his UFC 111 bout with Dan Hardy in March.
Penick's Analysis: This is precisely why GSP is right now the greatest fighter in the world. I'd have him above Fedor and above Anderson on my pound for pound list simply for the fact that he's constantly evolving his game and actively searching out as much as he can learn about the sport. And it's not just talk with him, we've seen the evolution of his wrestling game, to the point where he's someone without a wrestling background that would have a legitimate shot at making the Olympics for that sport. That one is a long shot, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. These are also great compliments for the 24-year-old Mousasi, who is gaining tons of respect in the U.S. after his 2009 victories over Babalu and Sokoudjou. It's just great to see St. Pierre continuing his fight evolution, and it could mean a long, long night for Dan Hardy on March 27th.
[Gegard Mousasi photo provided to MMATorch courtesy Strikeforce]
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