GSP Hones his Skills in Brazil

IO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) arrived in Brazil on Tuesday, but not for its beaches. The Quebec native has already begun training with a cast of Gracie Barra black belts in preparation for the upcoming bout with Jon Fitch at UFC 87 "Seek and Destroy" on Aug. 9 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn.

"I came to train and improve my Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Gracie Barra," St. Pierre said. "The black belts have a unquestionable level (of skill) and I am looking to get a better game for my fight."

While the Canadian stays in Rio de Janeiro to sharpen his ground skills, he has also assumed a full training routine with Gustavo Machado and Aloisio Barros.

"They are two very good fighters and it is important to spar with them to get prepared," Sherdog's No. 1-ranked welterweight said.

St. Pierre isn't limiting his training in Brazil to one style. He also boxed in Nobre Arte, rolled with Gracie Barra Combat Team members and had a wrestling clinic with Adrian Jaoude, the brother of Olympic wrestler and International Fight League veteran Antoine Jaoude.

"His wrestling skills are fantastic," Machado said of St. Pierre.

St. Pierre will leave Rio de Janeiro on June 10.

(Sherdog.com)