Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) superstar and UFC Hall of Famer, Georges St-Pierre, admits he isn’t fond of the act of fighting. His last encounter was a victory by submission in his headlining match against Michael Bisping at UFC 217, seven years ago. Following his retirement, St-Pierre earned a spot in the revered UFC Hall of Fame, courtesy of his unbeatable record and his impact on the sport.
Widely recognized as one of the premier talents in martial arts history, St-Pierre’s discomfort on fight nights is not a reflection of his abilities. On the contrary, he wholeheartedly embraces the sport, the science behind it, and the bond formed with his team during preparation. In an interview on the podcast ‘This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von’, St-Pierre revealed a rather interesting perspective.
‘I’ve never been a fan of the fight itself,’ he confessed. ‘Leading up to it is what I loved – the camaraderie with my team, the all-encompassing build-up as we all march towards the fight; that’s the part I’ve always enjoyed. But the actual fight day… It’s incredibly unpleasant for me.’
St-Pierre noted that the uncertainty of each outing was excruciating, explaining, ‘I struggle with not knowing the outcome: will I be injured? Could I face embarrassment? Or might I lift that coveted trophy? The uncertainty is agonizing. But, it’s a choice one must make to attain that overall freedom.’ These comments are little surprising coming from a fighter of St-Pierre’s caliber, shining a light on the mental toll that the sport can charge, which is often overlooked by the public.
With his fighting chapter presently closed, St-Pierre, now 44, has the liberty to seek and pursue whatever captures his interest in the next stage of his life. Yet, rumors of his potential return to the UFC have been persistent, given the outstanding 13-win streak with which he concluded his career – a record that dates back to 2007.
St-Pierre’s impressive resume encapsulates a series of victories over some of the best in the game, from BJ Penn, Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit, Johny Hendricks, to Dan Hardy. The Canadian superstar’s prowess especially stood out when he defended his 170lb title nine times, setting a UFC record that remains untouched since his departure from the division over a decade ago.
It is noteworthy that St-Pierre was bested just twice. However, the losers of these bouts, Matt Hughes and Matt Serra, couldn’t escape resolute defeats when they had their second shot at the legendary fighter. St-Pierre’s final match stats stand at an impressive 26-2 record.
Following a four-year break, St-Pierre returned for a bigger challenge, having climbed in weight, but remained as nimble and quick on his feet as ever. He grabbed the middleweight title after triumphing over Bisping, marking his victorious farewell from the world of MMA.
Only Jon Jones might attest to possessing superior skills than St-Pierre, and rightfully so. The UFC’s top decision-maker, Dana White, has openly expressed his sentiments regarding the greatest of all time (GOAT) in MMA history.
Judging by his words at a recent interview, White holds Jones in particularly high regard. In White’s words, ‘Jon Jones not only cleared out the light-heavyweight division but also dominated the top heavyweight fighter like it was routine. There are no doubts about it – Jon Jones is the best. The undisputed best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and likely the best across any sport.’
White remains certain that Jones is the ultimate fighter, stating, ‘When we talk about who the most formidable man on the planet is, if you put two fighters in a room, you can bet Jon Jones will walk out every single time. There’s no debate.’
In White’s view, Jones’ abilities go beyond just MMA. According to him, ‘Jon’s prowess is not limited to the UFC or MMA. He’s unmatched in any combat sport. In a fight against anyone, my money would be on Jon to be the last man standing.’ This highlights the level of respect and admiration White has for Jones and his achievements in the sport.
It’s intriguing to consider these opinions side-by-side: Georges St-Pierre’s apparent discomfort with fight days juxtaposed with Dana White’s high praise for Jon Jones. Both are icons of the sport in their own right, each with diverse perspectives and experiences. Such is the gamut of emotions and opinions in the multifaceted world of MMA.