St. Pierre looks to topple Matt Hughes

Montreal — At 25, handsome and polite, Georges St. Pierre could break your heart. And your arm. And your leg.

St. Pierre is the Canadian poster boy of mixed martial arts, a hybrid sport that requires expertise in boxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu. The Montreal welterweight is smart, sleek and athletic — and Saturday night he can become UFC world champion with a win over veteran Matt Hughes.

St. Pierre, 12-1 as an MMA fighter, says it's his time.

"No doubt, no doubt," St. Pierre said confidently after battering a sparring partner in the boxing ring at an east Montreal gym.

"I have never been so focused, so mentally and physically well-prepared."

A win and St. Pierre will join Carlos Newton of Newmarket, Ont., as the only Canadian ever to hold a UFC title.

Standing in his way is Hughes, a fighting farmer from Hillsboro, Ill., who has won 19 of his last 20 fights — including a 2004 victory over St. Pierre — while raising his record to 42-4. Hughes knows all about Canadians, having defeated Newton twice in title fights.

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