Georges St. Pierre (GSP) is a legend not just within the UFC, but all of MMA. The two-division French Canadian UFC champion dominated the welterweight division longer than many fighters even competed for the company. Still holding multiple UFC records to this day, GSP is a bonafide legend.
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With his countless feats, it should come as no surprise that he’s offered up plenty of his championship-caliber wisdom through the years. With various books, movies, and interviews for fans to look through, many have found some of their all-time favorite quotes courtesy of GSP. With quotes that reference champion-level training, hardships, respect, and plenty more, GSP is someone to be admired by many MMA fans.
10 Training Is The Toughest Thing
There’s plenty that could be said about what truly makes a champion, and GSP has offered up an excellent quote on the subject, “Training to become champion is the toughest thing. The fight itself is just a test.”
There’s something that is both respectable and endearing about a legend of a fighter being able to acknowledge the difficulty of training. The journey toward someone’s end goal often is much more difficult than that moment of achievement. While there likely aren’t many who would assume an actual fight is easier than the training, GSP definitely made it look that way.
9 Don’t Set Goals Too Low
Goal setting is one of the most difficult things anyone can do in their personal life. Some struggle with creating attainable goals, and some struggle to even decide on what a goal looks like.
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GSP has some words of wisdom for his fans that may need some assistance with their personal goal setting, “The danger is not to set your goal too high and fail to reach it. It’s to set your goal too low and reach it.” A key takeaway from a quote like this is the importance of ambition within each and every person.
8 Winners Start From The Bottom
Almost everyone has had a moment in their life where they felt like things couldn’t get any worse. It’s those moments that allow true champions to push forward toward something truly special.
GSP offered an honest analysis of his time as a kid in this quote, “The truth is that I didn’t start as a winner. When I was a kid, I was just another reject. I started at the bottom. I think all winners do.” If GSP could go from a reject to an iconic champion, anyone can with enough effort.
7 The Goal Is Unattainable Perfection
For someone with as many records and accolades as GSP, it wouldn't be surprising if he came across as a relatively arrogant person from time to time. Rather than any level of arrogance, GSP always seems to show off a calm and modest part of himself.
When GSP discussed his goals in the past he had this quote to offer, “I’m training all the time. My goal is perfection. But I will never reach perfection.” It may seem a little far-fetched for someone so skilled to speak that way, but to be fair he does have two losses to his name.
6 Knowledge Equals Advantage
It’s likely that most UFC fans have GSP somewhere on their list of smartest fighters to ever enter the octagon. His fight IQ led him to dominance for the majority of his career in some of the most entertaining brawls UFC fans have ever seen.
When it comes to knowledge in the octagon and in life, GSP had this to say, “A guy that has more knowledge has the advantage.” It’s hard to argue with something like that, especially when it comes to something as demanding as MMA.
5 Power And Wisdom
Three of the most important things that any fighter needs when they step into the octagon is a combination of skill, power, and smarts. Many UFC fans agree that GSP was the very personification of those three things.
On the topic of power and smarts, GSP said, “Power is different when you combined it with wisdom. Wisdom allows you to use less power to accomplish more tasks.” Any MMA fan knows that a well-placed strike is far more valuable than a powerful, but poorly aimed strike, making this an excellent piece of guidance.
4 The Line Between Success And Failure Is Narrow
In the world of MMA, both fighters and fans know that every single fight could end at literally any moment. One well-placed strike, a sudden submission, or even a freak injury could all end a bout.
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Even during an exchange between two fighters, one could claim victory in an instant. GSP demonstrates that he understands that fact well, “Watching myself fight, I realize the line between success and failure is so narrow, it’s scary.” It’s that kind of incredible self-awareness that separates world champions from the average fighter.
3 Trash Talk And Drive
There was a time when just how good GSP would end up being was debated by MMA fans. He was always an excellent fighter, but many questioned if he had what it took to be the best after his first loss against Matt Hughes.
While GSP is often pretty respectful toward his opponents both before and after his bouts, he had some choice words for Hughes at UFC 63, "I'm glad you won that fight, Matt, but I'm not impressed by your performance." There is a hint of respect mixed with the kind of taunt you’d expect from the future legend.
2 Train For An Army
Training for each new opponent any fighter has to face can’t be an easy task. Every fighter has their own unique fighting style, different fighting rhythms, and plenty of surprise maneuvers tucked away.
As it turns out, GSP doesn’t concern himself with preparing for one single opponent, “I’ve trained myself to fight an army, so one guy will not defeat me.” There are few better examples of a champion mindset than that fantastic quote. Watching just about any of GSP’s fights shows the truth behind that statement.
1 Post-Fight Humility And Analysis
Many MMA fans and fighters believe that a true champion comes with some level of humility. They don’t need to be the most gracious and humble people alive, but once the fight is over, there should be some level of respect.
On the topic of respect after a fight, GSP had plenty to say, “I bow to my opponent in praise and thanks. After the fight is a time for humility, acceptance, and analysis, no matter the result.” No matter which way the fight goes, being able to accept the result and grow is the most important thing to do.
