UFC 154: Common opponent Dan Hardy helping Georges St-Pierre prepare for Carlos Condit bout

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Georges St-Pierre's got an interesting training partner in camp at the Tri-Star gym in Montreal, as former opponent Dan Hardy has been helping in preparations for St-Pierre's return against Carlos Condit at UFC 154.

It's an interesting addition to camp, given the two fighters have competed against one another, and Hardy himself has also fought Condit. He lost both fights, losing a decision to St-Pierre and getting knocked out by Condit.

So it was interesting to see Hardy appear on Monday's Fuel TV special "Training Day: Inside Tristar Gym Live." St-Pierre's head trainer, Firas Zahabi, discussed his involvement in camp.

"He's a special guest this week to spar with Georges," Zahabi said (transcribed by MMAFighting.com. "He fought Condit. When he was fighting Condit, it was neck-and-neck. Yes, he got stopped by Condit, but I think it was one inch away from being the other way around. It was very close - extremely close fight - and I think he's a very good look for us to see what it's going to look like when Georges fights Condit."

Also joining the proceedings for this camp were British middleweight Tom "Kong" Watson, and prospect Brandon Thatch, who were in to help emulate Condit's striking game for the upcoming fight.

Penick's Analysis: This is actually the second time Hardy's joined St-Pierre at Tri-Star, as he was brought in for the initial Condit fight last fall prior to GSP's injuries. He's a solid choice as a sparring partner, and though he was knocked out by Condit it was during a sequence in which they were delivering simultaneous blows. Both connected, but Condit's was the better strike at the moment. Ultimately, it's a mutually beneficial pairing, and he's just one of many working with the Champ on his return.

[Dan Hardy art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_14895.shtml

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