Georges St-Pierre Retirement: The End of an Era

Georges St-Pierre officially steps out from the octagon.

Speculations has long been in the air for the Canadian’s future, especially after he was forced to relinquish the Middleweight Championship back in 2017 due to his diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.

Today, he announced the retirement at a press conference in his hometown of Montreal.

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

The 37-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in UFC history, with an incredible record of 26-2. He is a two-time former UFC Welterweight champion and one-time Middleweight champion.

St-Pierre is also one of the few two-division champions of the promotion, alongside Daniel Cormier, Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, B.J Penn and Randy Couture.

The world however, is left to only dream of what could have been.

 

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Let’s do it in November. After this fight you can retire. I grow up on your fights, and have nothing but respect for you, and I believe showed that to you George when you were in Moscow. But, it would be honor for me to share Octagon with one of the greatest fighters of all time. Let’s do it 155 lbs, or I give away 5lbs to you, cause you newer done 155. Well, it’s your choice 155 or 160, Montreal, NYC, Moscow or Abu Dhabi. Send me location my Friend 📍 #GSPvsKHABIB #ufc #mma #history #RUSSIAvsCANADA

A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Feb 20, 2019 at 9:31am PST

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the current lightweight champion, was negotiating to fight St-Pierre after his suspension. According to reports, both camps could not come to an agreement. The Russian then went as far as to concede a catchweight, given the fact that St-Pierre has never fought below welterweight throughout his career.

“He has one or two fights left, Georges St-Pierre is the greatest fighter ever to step in the octagon. That’s my opinion,” Khabib said in an interview.

During his retirement press conference, St-Pierre said, “It takes three people to make a fight. The two fighters and the organization. It just didn’t happen. I wish Khabib the best of luck. I’m a big fan and I think he’s the best fighter right now.”