Last week in an ESPN exclusive interview, former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion and consensus GOAT George’s St. Pierre (GSP) announced his retirement. The press conference was held as GSP’s sign-off. GSP explained that he felt he was leaving on his own terms; he was retiring on top and healthy and not being forced out.
GSP had a storied career, suffering only two losses which he avenged in rematches by finishing his opponents (Matt Hughes and Matt Serra). GSP was a two-weight champion. So for a fighter, it makes sense to hang up the gloves and avoid damage, right? Well here’s the thing: GSP already stepped away once.
In 2013 GSP won a controversial fight with Johnny Hendricks after which Georges announced he was taking time off. After a four-year lay-off, GSP returned to do something he hadn’t done before: win a title in a second weight class. This situation is relevant because it seems that if GSP is offered the opportunity, he will do something challenging and accomplish thing he has not previously done. There is a challenge on the horizon in undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Prior to GSP’s official retirement, Nurmagomedov offered GSP a fight.
Why does this matter? Plenty of athletes have retired and come back to accomplish more, simply answered. Michael Jordan came back for a second run of NBA championships. Brett Favre came back to set records. Former UFC fighter Randy Couture came back to win a second belt. Wait... So a UFC fighter has already retired and come back? The UFC isn’t opposed to this situation, then (as long as there’s money to be made). This is an individual sport; a team doesn’t have to sign a fighter, a fighter just has to show interest in fighting. GSP’s accolades are enough to sell a comeback, and his athleticism is enough to prove he is able and willing to fight.
GSP is no doubt a Hall of Fame fighter. But in an era of “Champ Champ” fighters, there is only one thing GSP can do to prove he is better than these super-fight champions: win a belt in a third weight class (against the only undefeated champion). Therefore, before writing this off as the end of GSP, consider the fact that the fight game is vastly different than any other sport. The chance to prove something (and a nice paycheck) can always change the course of a career.
Sources:
Image by Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
YouTube- ESPNMMA
Instagram: @khabib_nurmagomedov
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