GSP Opens Up On Training During The Pandemic And His GOAT Status
Georges St-Pierre has always been known for his dedication to martial arts and innovative methods of training. GSP performed at the highest level, even after two ACL surgeries, and beat multiple generations of challengers during his reign in the UFC.
Although he is now officially retired from MMA, GSP is still regularly in the gym, staying in shape, keeping his skills sharp and helping other fighters. At least he was before the world went on lockdown, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the challenges however, the former UFC welterweight and middleweight world champion insists that it’s still possible to train, even with the restrictions.
“As a martial artist, you always find a way to be creative. Even if you cannot go to the gym, you can find a way to train and do your work. There’s many ways to do it,” GSP told MMA Fighting.
Despite knowing that it would be hard for fighters to prepare for their matches during the coronavirus pandemic, GSP asserted that disadvantages in preparation would be mutual.
“It would be hard, however, you have to take it that way,” GSP said. “It would be hard for everybody. It would be equally as hard for your opponent. So you’re both at a disadvantage in a way, you know what I mean? You’re going to have to be creative. Sometimes the person who is the most creative, the one that can adapt the best with an opponent can have the most success.
“When you’re fighting someone, the perfect way to prepare for someone is to become his perfect antagonist. In a situation like this, the same thing here, you’re taken out of your comfort zone and you each have to find a way to make your training and your preparation and to perform, which is very hard but you have to think about your opponent will go through the same thing.”
This stoic mentality, together with his performance consistency, analytical approach to fighting, clear drug testing record, and humble character, are just some of the reasons why many fans think of GSP as the greatest of all time. However, speaking to ESPN‘s Ariel Helwani (as transcribed by MMA Junkie), St-Pierre said that he doesn’t believe in the concept that there is a GOAT.
“It’s just a matter of timing. Everybody can beat anybody on any given day. There are guys that have your number – you don’t know why. But they have your number. In the fight game, it’s not a straight line.
“When I was young, I wanted to be the best of all time. But when I got older and had more experience, I realised it’s just a fugazi – it doesn’t exist. You can’t be the best guy on the planet. There’s always one guy that will beat you. … There’s guys better than you who maybe are not fighting. That’s how the world works. There will always be one guy that will have your number, and he will beat you. There’s no [best] guy.”
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