In Case You Missed It...These Guys Are Good

Lost in all the hoopla of Super Bowl Sunday, and let's face it it was pretty darn good, two performances from champions that don't get a lot of pub around here but should not be forgotten.

Rafael Nadal continues his recent dominance of the tennis world-not that it was easy. Nadal captured the Australian Open with back to back 5 set marathons. First, the longest match in Aussie Open history: Five hours and 14 minutes to send good friend and fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco home in the semifinas. Next, more than 4 hours to take out rival Roger Federer in the finals. Amazing when you consider: Federer took out Andy Roddick in three sets and was trying to tie Pete Sampras' record 14 Grand Slam singles titles. Winning the French, Wimbledon, Olympics and Australia in less than a year has him cemented as the best tennis player on the planet. 'Rafa' has won the last 4 French Opens, so Federer may have to wait till Wimbledon before he gets another shot at Sampras. Nadal is no longer just the 'King of Clay.'

Another man on the rise: Georges St. Pierre. The UFC welterweight champion may not be in a class by himself at 170 pounds, but it sure doesn't take long to take attendance. 'Rush' methodically beat down B.J. Penn Saturday night.Time for 'The Prodigy' to go back to 155 pounds and stay there. Penn got his long awaited second chance at St. Pierre after a split decision loss to Pierre nearly three years ago. He got it, and was pounded for the trouble. The UFC commentators kept pushing St. Pierre-Penn 2 as the most important fight in MMA history. It wasn't. Perhaps one day a fight will live up to Joe Rogan's self indulgent decibel level commentating on the fights.

Penn's camp filed a complaint with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, claiming St. Pirre's corner applied Vaseline on the champ's back. His corner could face disciplinary action, but the outcome would not have changed. That's how good the Canadian was.

St. Pierre is also on the short list of 'Pound for Pound' fighter in the world. Anderson Silva and Fedor (Dana White-sign him quick if you can) are also there. St. Pierre deserves the status of big honcho in the UFC, despite Silva's greatness and Dana White's man crush on the overhyped Brock Lesnar.

Look for Nadal and St. Pierre-two awesome champs who deserve more attention-to be around for a long while.