One of the all-time MMA greats, Georges St-Pierre, has retired.
In a Montreal press conference, the former UFC Welterweight and Middleweight champion confirmed that he'd be hanging up the gloves after having only one fight in the last five years. The 37-year old calls it quits with an MMA record of 26-2, having won 13 consecutive fights.
“Today ... I announce my retirement. There’s no tears. I’m happy to do it. It’s time to do it.” @GeorgesStPierre -- pic.twitter.com/Z8NMZOemAC
— UFC (@ufc) February 21, 2019
At the presser, GSP noted that he'd tried to put together a superfight with UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but believed that the company itself had other plans. Despite the fact that Khabib himself was interested, St-Pierre underscored the need to have the UFC's support in order to make a fight of that magnitude happen.
St-Pierre recapped his career and mentioned that he's financially secure for the rest of his life due to his fighting career, and said he hoped he'd thanked the fans via kindness when he'd see them in public. Among his career highlights, GSP said surviving a Carlos Condit head kick to win the bout was his favorite.
"As a fighter, it's very important you stay motivated. If you lose motivation, it's a dead end."@GeorgesStPierre -- pic.twitter.com/v0VlF4ygvY
— UFC (@ufc) February 21, 2019
The legendary fighter was far from coy about the stress he was under, particularly on fight day. He said that the retirement was an effort to alleviate that stress, and didn't want anyone else to call him out, because he's done fighting. He'll continue to train as soon as tomorrow.
I’m announcing my retirement from the UFC and mixed martial arts competition. I intend to keep training and practicing martial arts for as long as I live, but now is the time that I chose to end my career as a professional MMA athlete. Read my official statement in the images. pic.twitter.com/uMP0LE5XeF
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) February 21, 2019
GSP's resume includes an insane ten victories over fighters who would hold UFC Championships. He had no losses on his record that he didn't avenge, and his 2017 stoppage win over Michael Bisping would be his first finish in almost eight years.
