Sherdog’s Top 10: Post-Fight Interviews and Moments

4. Performance Issues

Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn
UFC 63 “Hughes vs. Penn”
Sept. 23, 2006 | Honda Center, Anaheim, Calif.

Hughes had just defeated Penn via third-round technical knockout to avenge his loss to “The Prodigy” more than two-and-a-half years earlier, but the reigning welterweight king was hardly the star of the evening. The victory over Penn set up a rematch with a young Canadian named Georges St. Pierre, whom Hughes had defeated for the 170-pound strap at UFC 50 after Penn vacated the title due to contractual issues.

As Hughes was still basking in the glow of victory, UFC analyst Joe Rogan handed St. Pierre the microphone.

“I’m very glad you won that fight, Matt, but I’m not impressed by your performance,” he said. “I look forward to fighting you in the near future.”

His words paid no mind to the fact that Hughes was in the middle of one of the most dominant championship reigns in UFC history and was widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world at the time. The thing is St. Pierre’s memorable line was delivered as politely as possible, preceded by a hug and concluded with a handshake.

“That’s his opinion. It might stink, but it’s his opinion,” Hughes replied.

St. Pierre’s statement would have life as a useful critique long after his rematch with Hughes was in the books, however. Wife burns dinner? Boss gives another boring presentation? Neighbor brags about his lawn? “I’m not impressed with your performance” serves as the all-purpose response.

The website Asylum.com later capitalized on this concept beautifully, producing a commercial that featured St. Pierre delivering his signature statement in an office setting as workers went about the mundane tasks of drinking coffee, making copies and filing reports. Perhaps St. Pierre knew what he was talking about: he knocked out Hughes in the second round at UFC 65.

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