Move over Crosby and Nash, meet St. Pierre

I have long held the view that Canadians are some of the best MMA fans. They cheer for the little things in an MMA fight that make die hard fans proud. Think of it as if football fans were more interested in watching offensive line play over the glittery highlights on Sportscenter.

This week the Canadian fans didn't disappoint when they voted George St. Pierre Sportsnet.ca's 2008 Canadian Athlete of the Year. George St. Pierre is the current UFC welterweight champion and won that belt at UFC 83, the first UFC event to be held in Montreal. In February St. Pierre will face off against an old foe in lightweight champ B.J. Penn, in the UFC's 'Superbowl' fight card.

In winning the Canadian Athlete of the Year award, St. Pierre joins the ranks Steve Nash and Sydney Crosby. St. Pierre garnered 89 percent of the vote and beat out Chantal Petitclerc, Jarome Iginla, Justin Morneau, and Daniel Nestor.