mma / News

Georges St-Pierre Wanted to Fight Khabib Nurmagomedov Before Retirement, But Couldn’t Make It Happen

February 22, 2019 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas
Georges St-Pierre GSP Image Credit: Fox Sports/YouTube

Georges St-Pierre spoke with reporters about his decision to retire, not facing Khabib Nurmagomedov and more. Highlights are below per MMAjunkie:

On having tried to get a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov: “It takes three people to make a fight – the two fighters and the organization. And it didn’t happen. I wish Khabib the best of luck. I’m a big fan. I think he’s the best fighter right now, and I look forward to seeing his next fight.”

On Nurmagomedov offering a fight after his retirement announcement: “For a fighter where I am in my career, the most exciting thing is also the scariest thing: to fight an opponent who seems invinceable. And Khabib is that guy right now. That’s why I wanted to fight him. It was a fight that could elevate my legacy…Unfortunately, it takes two fighters and the organization to make the fight happen.”

On his decision to call it quits: “At the point where I am in my career, for me, it’s taking one fight at a time, instead of being there for several fights. The way the business works, if they promote someone, they want to keep him there to have a guarantee that the guy is there. It’s like an investment, and I don’t have the same motivation as I used to. I’m not the same person I used to be back in the day. I used to want to go there and beat everybody. I didn’t care who and when – I wanted to destroy everybody to get on top. I don’t have the same anger, the same hunger anymore. Even though physically I feel I’m on top of my game, the anger is not the same.”