UFC legend Georges St-Pierre retires, again

GSP leaves the sport with a record of 26 wins and two defeats

The world of mixed martial arts waved gooddbye to one of its top performers on Thursday with Georges St-Pierre announcing his retirement at the age of 37. Few have remained at the top of the MMA game for as long as the Canadian welterweight fighter, who initially retired in 2013 before a triumphant return in November 2017, defeating middleweight champion Michael Bisping. He told a press conference in Montreal: "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." St-Pierre posted an Instagram message that outlined why he is calling it a day on a record of 26 wins and two defeats, picking up three UFC titles in the process. "I’ve always planned to leave the sport on my own terms and timing," he wrote. "It takes a lot of discipline to become and stay champion. "It also takes a lot of discipline to stop while still feeling that you’re in the best physical and mental shape of your life. I believe that the best way to pass the test of time is to remain ahead of it." St-Pierre's streak of 2,237 days across his two weight divisions tallies as the second-longest title reign in UFC history, with his middleweight success making him only the fourth multi-division champion in the sport. In explaining his decision to reporters, the MMA legend added: "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. "Some athletes when they retire, they get fat and out of shape. It’s not going to happen to me."