UFC champ Georges St-Pierre wows Filipino fans ULTIMATE Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre (GSP) recently wrapped up his whirlwind three-day promotional tour in the country with a public workout attended by 7,000 Filipino fans at the jam-packed SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
The event, which was sponsored by sports cable channel Balls and Colt 45, gathered all his loyal followers and mixed-martial arts (MMA) aficionados, some of whom lined up as early as 5 a.m., in one major venue. GSP displayed his famous Muay Thai moves with his Thai trainer Sheewin Srisuk and Jiu Jitsu with his friend Jeff Graham in a specially set-up ring.
When the smiling GSP in his casual attire came onstage, the first words he uttered to the crowd were ?Kamusta po kayo? I am such a shy person. I am overwhelmed. I asked myself, what did I get myself into?? To this French-Canadian fighter?s amazement, in unison, fans repeatedly chanted ?GSP?.
Before his training, GSP warmed up to his fans through a Q & A portion where lucky winners of Balls Channel?s viewer?s promo were able to share the stage with their idol.
?It?s my first time in the Philippines, the first time in Asia and everything?s been incredible from the warm welcome at the airport. The people are very nice. I plan to come back one day for vacation, or maybe one UFC fight in Manila,? said GSP. The fans responded with a deafening roar of approval on that idea.
GSP?s three-day promo tour included a press con, radio and TV guestings, a party and surprise training together with pound-for-pound boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.
A fashion show showcasing official UFC Apparel took place before GSP made his appearance. Official UFC shirts, shorts, jackets, bags and caps are available at leading department stores and sports boutiques nationwide. Official UFC fight gloves and training gear are available at Sportshouse branches nationwide.
The 29-year-old GSP, who has a 20-2 win-lose slate, is known as a well-rounded MMA fighter. Among the Canadian?s best fights are against BJ Penn and UFC hall-of-famer Matt Hughes. On Dec. 12 (Manila time), GSP is set to face American Josh Koscheck in UFC 124 in Montreal.
Balls Channel SkyCable 34 is the official broadcaster of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Balls brings the top brand in MMA to the Philippines so Filipino fans can enjoy the live UFC events, the best archive fights and the popular reality program The Ultimate Fighter series.
