Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Simon Benoit still has some work to do on his punching technique — at least according to someone who knows a thing or two about fighting.
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre chimed in on X on Tuesday after seeing the photo of Benoit’s now-famous “Superman punch” during a fight with Michael Kesselring of the Utah Hockey Club.
“He missed the target because he telegraphed too much but the picture is awesome,” GSP quipped when ranking the punch thrown by his fellow Quebecer.
Plenty of comparisons also were made between Benoit and WWE superstar Roman Reigns, who is a fan of the Superman punch.
The fight also brought back memories of then-Anaheim Ducks defenceman Kevin Bieksa, now a Sportsnet analyst, firing a similar punch against Radko Gudas of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2017.
Benoit tried the same move last season against Erik Gudbranson, but it failed to make an impact on a much taller opponent. He was sticking up for Bobby McMann on Monday.
Benoit’s next chance to fight — or score, as he did for the first time this season on Monday — comes Thursday when the Leafs host the Florida Panthers.
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