Georges St-Pierre Should Halt his Potential Return

Two-years and five-months ago, the greatest welterweight in mixed martial arts history to this date, called it a night. Georges St-Pierre took the gloves-off one last time for what he said would be an indefinite retirement from the sport. He had marginally beaten Johny Hendricks by way of split-decision at UFC 167. Many cried foul, and rightfully, so. The former Oklahoma Sooner, Hendricks, was able to bully the dominant welterweight champion often with his power, while keeping the ground game of the most dominant welterweight in check with his All-American wrestling.

For the first time since winning his title back from Matt Serra, the longtime welterweight champion’s spirit was noticeably broken after the final bell, yet, relieved. His face was bruised and battered; whereas, the challenger appeared unscathed and deserving of the unparalleled victory. An official retirement announcement followed a few weeks later and one of the best fighters, and most humbled human beings to ever step into the octagon, vanished from the competitive aspect of the sport. He left the door open for a return; but, for the most part, he claimed he was done competing for the indefinite future.

He retired as a two-time UFC Welterweight Champion, having defended his welterweight title nine consecutive times, the second most title defenses in UFC history. In his 27-professional fights he had only suffered defeat twice, once to Matt Serra and once to the legendary Matt Hughes. He is also the winner of the first, and thus far only, UFC Champion vs. UFC Champion bout. A near unblemished record and holding numerous records and Fight of the Night designations, Georges St-Pierre retired at the right time, an uncommon occurrence in professional mixed martial arts.

The norm, when discussing MMA fighters and retirement, is fighters typically fail to hang it up when reaching the twilight of their careers. High level athletes will all too often extend their careers far too long and MMA fighters are no exception. They step into a cage or ring as glances of what they once were, and further diminish their records and accomplishments. Instead of first remembering the great accomplishments and battles, we remember them as the fighter who fought one too many battles—the guy who was utterly and viciously dismantled by that up-and-comer. Think B.J. Penn.

GSP detoured outside of the said norm after UFC 167. He was burnt out, had endured a serious knee injury, endured head trauma, and was clearly losing a step or two against the welterweight elite. By the end of the fight with Hendricks, GSP knew he was done. In no way could he continue to fight and win at the same elite level in his condition. He had made and saved enough money to be able to live comfortably without having to fight again. This allowed him to step outside of the norm. He made the money and was able to call it day on his own terms unlike so many fighters.

His decision to retire at 32-years-of-age was met with scrutiny by fans and those at the helm of the UFC. With most feeling the Canadian had lost to Hendricks, a rematch was thought necessary and the UFC was salivating at the idea. From a business perspective it made sense. The champ hadn’t been scuffed-up, wound, and taken to his limits in years. A rematch was sure to sell, but was uncalled for in the condition GSP was in.

The welterweight division has moved on and we’ve been left with unbelievable championship matches and exciting prospective bouts. The division has survived just fine without the former long-reigning champion. I expressed my opinion in a column a few years ago, along with many others, as to why GSP should never look back—ending it on his own terms, head trauma lapses in his memory, injures, his stories of alien abduction, etc. In the two-years and several months since he walked away, rumors have circulated of his return, none proving true. If you’ve followed along the MMA news outlets this week, you know things have changed, and GSP himself has confirmed he is working on a possible return.

On one hand it’s an exciting turn of events. Potential matches range from fights with Nate Diaz or Conor McGregor, a super fight with Anderson Silva, and Robbie Lawler or whoever is the champion upon his return; all captivating bouts sure to sell with fans gravitating in by the millions. On the other hand, is a feeling of disappointment. It seems GSP could be falling into the trap fighters commonly fall into, after all. The urge to compete and to have one last fight seems to have GSP disenchanted. Why take more head trauma, why risk adding another loss to an exceptional career record, and why stay too long when your best years are behind you and risk looking like a shell of your former self?

Fighters view the world differently and the former champion is no exception. The rush and will to step into the cage or ring and leave it all on line can overtake rational thinking. Coupled with outside pressure, like a coach calling for your return, and here we are. Georges St-Pierre’s return would be glorious. He could re-establish his footing quickly and proceed to give us one more amazing run. He could come back for on last fight and give the performance of a lifetime and finally hang it up for good.

Yet, chances are just as equal GSP could come backs incapable of accomplishing what he once could. Five years ago he’d have no problem walking through Robbie Lawler; but, the current welterweight champion of today could pummel GSP win or lose. We really don’t know and the only way to find out is for the former champ to step back in the octagon. And it is not worth the trouble. Father time has not slipped away from GSP completely; but, why risk it when you left on your own terms once already. Chances are, in this unpredictable sport, it won’t happen again.