Pros react to Georges St-Pierre’s retirement

Thank you for everything you did for our sport @GeorgesStPierre you’re a living legend my friend

— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) February 21, 2019

View this post on Instagram

Now look at this video and you’ll understand why I wanted to fight with him, simply he’s one of the best оf all times. I just wanted to share cage with him while he’s active, that’s the history and people be watching it again and again, I want to fight with the best. Anyway, good luck to you Legend @georgesstpierre time is merciless, and your decision is right. And don’t forget, when you’re in Russia next time, I’ll introduce you with Dagestan cuisine, you don’t need to cut weight anymore #Legend

A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Feb 21, 2019 at 9:19am PST

Hey @GeorgesStPierre why you ducking me https://t.co/2YGkDZ3geB

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) February 21, 2019

You guys all know what he is talking about.... Dana to GSP: “I really need someone to eliminate this curly haired f*** how much is it gonna cost” https://t.co/qUxlz7n9It

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) February 21, 2019

View this post on Instagram

This was at my first UFC fight. It was against Dustin Porier. My career started by being finished. Becoming champion was not easy for me but the instructions were clear. I had to just keep beating the guy in front of me. After 10 wins in a row I got my title shot. But when I became champion there were no instructions on what to do next. I had to figure out what it meant to me. How to represent my team and my community. How to express my values as a martial artist. How to be a good father to my son while trying to entertain fans. I'm still figuring it out every day but I looked to GSP to create a blueprint for myself on the martial artist I would be. Many people think I named my son Rush after GSP. I didn't but Rush watches everything I do so GSPs influence is there every day. Thank you GSP from me and Rush @georgesstpierre

A post shared by Max Holloway (@blessedmma) on Feb 21, 2019 at 10:22pm PST

Want to wish a happy retirement to @GeorgesStPierre. A true martial artist in every sense. pic.twitter.com/U67BGCioHE

— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) February 21, 2019

Thank you @GeorgesStPierre for an incredible career. Thank you for shedding your sweat and blood to excite us. Enjoy the glory for the rest of your life. #salute

— Siyar The Great (@Siyarized) February 21, 2019

All the best in your endeavors Georges. @georgesstpierre
I’m sure I’m not the only one Georges has made his impact but also a whole country and an entire sport worldwide. Amazing to witness an individual grow to such heights and setting the bar for everyone. #andstill #goat pic.twitter.com/xpYmxQUoDa

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) February 21, 2019

View this post on Instagram

I was lucky enough to be able to train along side Georges St. Pierre many times throughout my career. Georges was always the consummate professional in everything he did, whether it be in the octagon or out. I think a lot of young fighters can learn from him, I know I did. The classy and respectful approach he brought to his fighting career is something to be admired, I know theatrics and pizzazz sells fights but there’s something to be said about the way Georges did it. Last of a dying breed! Congrats on an amazing career, you sir is what the word Legend is for!

A post shared by Frankie Edgar (@frankieedgar) on Feb 21, 2019 at 1:59pm PST

Au revoir au plus grand du sport à mon avis ! Bonne retraite @georgesstpierre ! #oldschool #mma #gsp #rush @ufc à Montreal, Quebec https://t.co/rF5BQEufg0

— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) February 21, 2019

I was lucky enough to officiate 7 of @GeorgesStPierre fights in the Octagon including his first championship fight and his last. GSP it was always an honor to work your fights & I hope you dominate retirement just like you dominated the @ufc cage!! Thank you for being a class act

— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) February 21, 2019

View this post on Instagram

A study in greatness: The most important people in our lives are those who give us an example of what is possible so that we can lift ourselves higher. They don’t give us THINGS, they give us IDEALS; and those ideals can move us from within to become better people. Georges St-Pierre was the single greatest example of a positive athletic role model I ever met in my career. Every dojo or training partner he walked into or befriended was lifted by his appearance. Starting off as an unknown youngster from Quebec, he fought his way to the top of the fight worlds toughest division and beat the best of three generations of welterweights and then came back from an initial retirement to win the title at middleweight. Along the way he exhibited the highest standards of character and professionalism in an often wild sport. He ushered in the modern era of professionalism in preparation for MMA athletes to replace the traditional martial arts methodologies used by previous generations of competitors. Nobody did more to elevate the standing of the sport in the public eye as it grew from its bloodsport beginnings into the most popular combat sport in the world. He was an innovator who staked his career on the paradigm shift from single style specialists to what he stood for - integrated skills where the primary emphasis was on the interface BETWEEN skill sets rather than over emphasis on any one skill set. This enabled him to outwrestle wrestlers, outstrike strikers and dominate Jiu Jitsu champions on the floor. He was not the best at any one of those skills - he was the best at integrating them with a speed and direction that no one could keep up with. He defeated all his opponents, dominated every re-match he ever took and shut down the toughest opponents to a degree what was utterly astounding. It was the greatest privilege of my coaching career to be a small part of this great mans ascent to the top of martial arts. Through all the time i knew him and i have no doubt all the way into the future - He was a martial artist first and an MMA athlete second. This made him a perpetual student, a generous teacher and a truly noble fighter. Thank you, Georges, from all of us

A post shared by John Danaher (@danaherjohn) on Feb 21, 2019 at 2:47pm PST

This fascinates me. Fight day was just about the only thing I DID like about being in MMA. Probably why he is one of the best ever, truly loving the grind is a strange and remarkable thing. https://t.co/30xvaxZmXY

— Sean O'Connell (@realOCsports) February 21, 2019

@GeorgesStPierre I hope you’re blessed in whatever you do from here #gsp https://t.co/yxfOWuRghS

— @CrisCyborg on IG #CyborgNation (@criscyborg) February 21, 2019

Thank you for everything you’ve done for our sport @GeorgesStPierre you’re a role model of a champ and a big inspiration for me. Enjoy you retirement.

— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) February 21, 2019

The best to ever do it, had it all world class Wrestling ‍♂️ Striking Jiujitsu most importantly Heart ❤ and the nicest guy you will ever meet.

Pleasure i got to learn from you when i was over at

Enjoy your retirement @GeorgesStPierre pic.twitter.com/kM4pfwqVtP

— Paul Redmond (@RedserMma) February 21, 2019

Happy retirement to one of the best to ever do it https://t.co/q6CZhj212b

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 21, 2019

#GOAT #RESPECT https://t.co/BzOpUOg1Wv

— Leonardo Santos (@LeoSantosbjj) February 21, 2019

One of the GOATS enjoy retirement, Georges! @UFC https://t.co/C7uI39Fv5N

— Danny Roberts #HC (@DanHotChocolate) February 21, 2019

Thank you @GeorgesStPierre pic.twitter.com/EEpXuMv4j9

— Ilir Latifi (@Latifimma) February 21, 2019

Congrats on an amazing career @GeorgesStPierre pic.twitter.com/i54MxX3nL9

— Dana White (@danawhite) February 21, 2019

Thank you, @GeorgesStPierre. https://t.co/DLjeu0i5iO

— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) February 21, 2019

Le meilleur de tous les temps, à nos yeux. Félicitations @GeorgesStPierre pour une carrière légendaire.

The ! Congrats to GSP on a legendary career. pic.twitter.com/t3MYM4TV5y

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 21, 2019

Une véritable légende. Je vous souhaite une excellente retraite, GSP. Thank you for representing Canada in the octagon with skill, sportsmanship and the heart of a champion. https://t.co/pMFKYIh1oP

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 21, 2019

I’m announcing my retirement from the UFC and mixed martial arts competition. I intend to keep training and practicing martial arts for as long as I live, but now is the time that I chose to end my career as a professional MMA athlete. Read my official statement in the images. pic.twitter.com/uMP0LE5XeF

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) February 21, 2019