Georges St-Pierre, often referred to by his initials GSP, is a retired Canadian professional mixed martial artist widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. Born on May 19, 1981, in Saint-Isidore, Quebec, Canada, St-Pierre’s martial arts journey began with karate during his youth before expanding to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and boxing.
Georges St-Pierre resides in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, his hometown.
Montreal is not only where GSP began his martial arts journey but also where he continues to train and stay connected to his roots. He has occasionally mentioned enjoying the city’s culture and community while maintaining a private life away from the limelight.
Achievements and Career Highlights:
- UFC Welterweight Champion: GSP held the UFC Welterweight title twice, with his second reign being the longest in the division’s history.
- UFC Middleweight Champion: In 2017, he returned from a four-year hiatus to defeat Michael Bisping and claim the UFC Middleweight title.
- Record: GSP ended his career with an impressive professional MMA record of 26 wins and 2 losses, with victories over some of the sport’s biggest names, including BJ Penn, Matt Hughes, and Nick Diaz.
- Awards and Recognitions: He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2020 and received multiple Fighter of the Year accolades during his career.
Revenue and Net Worth of Georges St-Pierre
Career Earnings from Fights: Georges St-Pierre earned an estimated $7 million in fight purses alone during his UFC career, excluding bonuses and sponsorships. He was consistently one of the UFC’s highest-paid fighters due to his dominance and marketability.
Notable payouts include his fight against Michael Bisping in 2017, for which he reportedly earned $2.5 million in disclosed pay, excluding pay-per-view bonuses.
Endorsements and Sponsorships:
St-Pierre had lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Under Armour, NOS Energy Drink, Gatorade, and Hayabusa, earning $1–2 million annually at the peak of his career. He was also sponsored by major Canadian companies like Harley-Davidson.
Total Career Revenue: Factoring in fight purses, bonuses, PPV shares, and endorsements, as of 2024, Georges St-Pierre’s net worth is estimated at $30 million.
Georges St-Pierre’s Last Fight
Date: November 4, 2017
Event: UFC 217
Opponent: Michael Bisping
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City
Outcome:
Georges St-Pierre won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round, becoming the UFC Middleweight Champion. This victory marked a triumphant return to the Octagon after a four-year hiatus.
Following this fight, GSP vacated the middleweight title a month later, citing health concerns related to ulcerative colitis. He officially announced his retirement from MMA on February 21, 2019, closing out his career as one of the greatest fighters in the sport’s history.
Interesting Facts About Georges St-Pierre
- Started Martial Arts Due to Bullying: GSP began practicing karate at the age of 7 to defend himself against bullies at school. This early adversity shaped his disciplined approach to martial arts.
- Only Two Career Losses: Throughout his professional MMA career, St-Pierre suffered only two losses, to Matt Hughes and Matt Serra, both of which he later avenged in dominant rematches.
- Elite Wrestling Without a Collegiate Background: Despite never competing in collegiate wrestling, GSP became one of the best wrestlers in MMA, earning accolades for his takedowns and defense.
- Paleontology Enthusiast: St-Pierre has a deep fascination with dinosaurs and paleontology. He has worked with paleontologists and once joked that he might have pursued this career if he weren’t a fighter.
- Longest Welterweight Reign: GSP holds the record for the most title defenses in UFC welterweight history with nine consecutive defenses during his second title reign.
- Comeback Victory at Middleweight: After a four-year break from MMA, St-Pierre returned in 2017 to defeat Michael Bisping for the UFC Middleweight Championship, becoming a two-division champion.
- Trilingual Fighter: GSP speaks French, English, and Spanish, reflecting his Canadian heritage and global appeal.
- Hollywood Career: GSP transitioned to acting after retiring, with notable roles, including Batroc the Leaper in Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
- UFC Hall of Fame: In 2020, GSP was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest icons.
- Philanthropy and Advocacy: St-Pierre is active in anti-bullying campaigns and has supported youth programs in Canada, using his platform to inspire and educate.
- Guinness World Record: GSP set a record for the most significant strikes landed in UFC history, demonstrating his dominance in fights.
- Perfectionist Approach: Known for his meticulous preparation, GSP is regarded as one of the most disciplined and strategic fighters in MMA history. He famously said, “I don’t want to be a good fighter; I want to be the best.”
Georges St-Pierre’s Movie Appearances
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014):
GSP played Georges Batroc, a mercenary and skilled martial artist also known as Batroc the Leaper. His fight scene with Captain America (Chris Evans) showcased his athletic and choreographed fighting skills, blending his MMA expertise with cinematic action.
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” (2021):
Reprising his role as Batroc, GSP appeared in several episodes of this Disney+ series, further expanding his presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Kickboxer: Vengeance” (2016):
St-Pierre played Kavi, a quirky trainer in this martial arts reboot alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dave Bautista.
“Cartels” (2017):
GSP appeared in this action thriller starring Steven Seagal, playing a minor role in the intense world of crime and justice.
“Never Surrender” (2009):
In this lesser-known action film, GSP had a cameo as himself, adding to the movie’s MMA theme.