UFC legend Georges St-Pierre is widely regarded by many as the greatest fighter of all time. One might find it hard to believe that it hasn’t come without some serious struggles. He defeated a laundry list of great fighters with pure dominance. Nevertheless, he admits to having an “obsessive-compulsive” personality. Even now, he sticks to fighting being not his passion despite his wide array of achievements.
Georges St-Pierre hung it all up after becoming double champion from Michael Bisping. Although ‘Rush’ maintains a prime physicality even now, he has chosen not to return to any pro-fighting competition. This March, St-Pierre admitted that he did not particularly have a love for fighting. In a recent sitdown with Theo Von, he does so once again.
I’ll be honest with you…100%, I never like to fight. I love the sport. I love the science of it…[But] I despise fighting. It’s unbearable for me. I’m extremely uncomfortable. Not knowing if I will be hurt, humiliated or winning the ultimate prize is unbearable for me…
Georges St-Pierre via the This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von Episode #523; @TheoVon
St-Pierre struggled with health issues in the mid-to-late 2010s and once also mentioned that he had a condition called Ulcer Colitis. It’s an inflammation of the intestine that put him under severe medication for a while. During a special appearance for the Anik & Florian Episode 500, St-Pierre also mentioned having sleeping troubles in the lead-up to fights.
Former UFC Champ Georges St-Pierre explains why he despises fighting:
“It’s unbearable for me. I’m extremely uncomfortable. Not knowing if I will be hurt, humiliated or winning the ultimate prize is unbearable for me…”
(via @TheoVon) pic.twitter.com/Ydf6HlN7jW
— Full Violence ™ (@Full_Violence) August 9, 2024
Despite a legendary run, GSP would take a lot of time-outs. Not that he’d nitpick opponents, but he always mentioned having to give his body time and space to recover from the extremes of combat sports. GSP has long maintained that whatever success he has had is for the love of the sport. Contrarily that does not stop pundits and enthusiasts from veering to his notions about it all, even to this day.
Georges St-Pierre pitches in on MMA being added to Olympics
Given both his wrestling pedigree and consensus status as one of the G.O.A.Ts, Georges St-Pierre still keeps a chord with MMA cultures. The Team TriStar Gym standout maintains prime physicality and is an icon to many, even to this day. Hence, it’s not surprising that he’d have to venture into the future of MMA.
Georges St-Pierre pitches in on MMA as an Olympic sport (Souce: X/express.co.uk)The 2024 Paris Olympics technically feature five different combat sports – Greco-Roman, Freestyle, Judo, Boxing, and Taekwondo. Over the past few weeks, veteran combat sports insider Ariel Helwani, has been over at the Paris stomping grounds.
Helwani has been covering the Olympic Games for the Canadian Broadcast Corporation. GSP, who was in attendance for the Canadian wrestling team, caught up with him. Here’s what he had to say on the possibility of MMA in the Olympics:
It used to be at the Olympics in Ancient Greece, but it was called Pankration…The rules were much different back then but who knows [moving forward]. I don’t think that I’ll live long enough to see it in the Olympics; and the reason is because it’s called Mixed Martial Arts, it’s a combination of different combat sports…Perhaps if they wanted to go back to their roots, they could have some modifier rules.
Georges St-Pierre on ‘Paris Tonight with Ariel Helwani at the Olympic Games’ for CBC Sports (@CBCSports)
GSP had an engaging idea of getting MMA, or a subset of the sport, into the games. He even nudged the likes of Jiu-Jitsu being the first to go into the Olympics if it ever came to be. The 2024 Games in Paris are the first GSP has attended in person to support the Olympic Team – Wrestling Canada Lutte. As such, he expects to attend it more and more and for MMA to have a role someday.
