GSP and Being the Best in the World
Georges St-Pierre has been the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) Welterweight Champion since 2007 and has been fighting for the title since 2005. While he is only 32 years of age, the grind of being world champion has caused him to relinquish the belt and step away from the sport for the time being.
George Hackenschmidt, World Wrestling Champion from 1901 to 1908
Some pundits have speculated that he is stepping away because of a razor close split decision win over top contender Johny Hendricks, which many observers feel he actually lost. However, a number of reports have emerged that say he intended to step away after this fight whether he won or lost.
It is interesting that he is stepping away from the sport at the same time as Anderson Silva, who has been champion about as long. While Anderson’s challenges have a lot to do with his age, they have both been on top of the world in their professions for a long time. Whether you are an individual athlete or a team, you usually do not stay the best in the world for too long. People have their season and are replaced by someone else.
The New England Patriots won three Super Bowls but have not won one in almost ten years. Collin Farrell was big box office for a while. Most Olympic athletes usually don’t qualify for more than one Olympics.
Georges St-Pierre defeated about every name in the welterweight division since 2005 as he compiled a 25-2 record. His losses were to Matt Hughes, who he defeated twice, and Matt Serra, who he defeated so badly in the rematch that Serra did not get a third match. GSP also had to rehab his knee from a torn ACL.
Besides training several times a day to continue improving, the media commitments are extensive. You quickly find that you have no time for yourself, which is why most UFC champions reign for a couple of years before they are defeated. A number of champions do not make one successful title defense. GSP and Anderson Silva are the exceptions.
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What GSP is going through is a part of every athletes journey. At some point, you will have to do something else. Georges has been doing martial arts most of his life, so he could teach or be a trainer if he wanted to. He could also have a successful business career with the right guidance.
GSP is only 32 years old, so if he wanted to come back in a year, he could probably make another good run. He would almost certainly have a title shot as soon as he wanted it. The question is does he want it. Or is it time to move on. We will know in another year or so.
