Georges St-Pierre, a two-division UFC champion who put mixed martial arts on the map in Canada, has announced his retirement from the sport.

“There are no tears,” he insisted.

“It takes a lot of discipline to retire on top. It was a long process in my mind, but it’s time to do it. Only a few people have done it.”

Related

National history museum acquires Georges St-Pierre’s UFC title belt

Citing health issues, Georges St-Pierre gives up UFC middleweight title

Georges St. Pierre takes UFC title upon return from 4-year retirement

Walking into the press conference, held by the UFC Thursday at Montreal’s Bell Centre, St-Pierre said he made a point not to bring any written notes.

“I want to do this with my heart,” he said.

“I’m here to announce my retirement. It’s hard to retire when you’re in a combat sport. I always said it’s better to do it yourself than be told to do it. You should retire on top.”

Closing his eyes, St-Pierre thanked all his coaches and those who helped him throughout his career.

“All the people that I mentioned had a huge influence on my career,” he said.

“If it was not for them, I wouldn’t be able to be where I am.”

The 37-year-old from Saint-Isidore, Que., last fought in November 2017 when he dethroned middleweight champion Michael (The Count) Bisping.

He gave up the 185-pound crown a month later, citing health issues — an ulcerative colitis.

“I don’t have the same hunger anymore. Even though physically I feel on top of my game, I don’t feel the same hunger anymore,” he explained.

“I could do this one fight at a time, but this business is about what’s next, not about what was.”

The Bisping fight was St-Pierre’s first time entering the octagon since stepping away from the sport four years earlier after a memorable run as welterweight champion.

“I don’t like fighting. The day of the fight was always the worst for me. I hated it,” he said, adding that he didn’t like hurting others or being hurt.

“It’s hard to explain and not a lot of people can understand it. I liked the competition, but I don’t like to fight.”

St-Pierre also took a moment to address the bullying in his childhood, saying he has chosen not to view his younger self as a “victim.”

“I changed myself from the inside out and that’s how I overcame bullying,” he stated.

“I don’t see it as, ‘oh it’s way too hard.’ I see it as a challenge and it gets me excited. Martial arts taught me confidence. It saved my life. I would not have been able to channel all that negativity when I was younger.”

His proudest career moment? “When I got dropped by a head kick and I survived it,” he said.

St-Pierre, who leaves with a 26-2 record, defended his 170-pound title nine times.

His parting words? “Some athletes when they retire they get fat and out of shape. It’s not going to happen to me.”

— with files from The Canadian Press.

Source: Read Full Article