George St-Pierre: Record, Retirement, Illness & Net Worth

Few athletes have dominated a sport as cleanly as Georges St-Pierre did the UFC welterweight division. But the man they call Rush wasn’t just a champion—he was a paradox: a ruthless competitor who spoke openly about anxiety, a devout Catholic who used prayer before fights, and a fighter who walked away at his peak because of an illness few knew about.

Fights: 28 · Wins: 26 · Losses: 2 · Championship Reigns: 3 · Years Active: 2002–2017, 2021

Six key facts, one pattern: St-Pierre’s career is a study in discipline—but also a story of hidden struggles that shaped his legacy.

The table below captures the essential biographical data.

Has GSP ever lost?

Yes, twice. In 28 professional fights, St-Pierre has only two losses—and he avenged both. The first came at UFC 69 in 2007 when Matt Serra knocked him out in the first round (UFC event page). The second was a submission loss to Matt Hughes in 2006, which St-Pierre later reversed with a TKO win in 2007.

How many losses does GSP have?

• Two losses in 28 fights, according to the UFC’s official record (Tier 1 source).
• He holds the UFC record for most wins in title fights (13), per the same source.

Why did George St-Pierre quit the UFC?

St-Pierre stepped away after UFC 217 in November 2017, where he defeated Michael Bisping for the middleweight belt. The decision was driven by mental health, burnout, and the onset of ulcerative colitis. In 2024, he told Yahoo Sports that colitis was “the reason I really retired.”

Did personal issues force GSP to retire?

• He said, “I was not happy anymore. I had a lot of personal issues. I needed to step away.”
• The Wikipedia entry notes he vacated the middleweight title on December 7, 2017, only 34 days after winning it.

Did GSP retire due to illness?

• In December 2017, ESPN reported St-Pierre was out indefinitely with colitis.
• He later said the condition developed after trying to gain weight for the Bisping fight (Yahoo Sports).

The implication: St-Pierre’s health battle became the hidden cost of chasing greatness at a new weight class.

What illness does GSP have?

St-Pierre was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. The condition became severe enough to force him out of competition. In a 2024 interview with Yahoo Sports, he revealed that intermittent fasting had eliminated all symptoms and he no longer required medication.

Does GSP have colitis?

• Yes. ESPN initially reported the diagnosis, and St-Pierre confirmed he was taking medication.
• CBS Sports noted he went to the hospital for a colonoscopy after his condition worsened.

How did GSP manage his illness?

• He adopted intermittent fasting and a strict diet, which he says “cured all of my symptoms” (Yahoo Sports).
• He is no longer on medication for colitis.

The pattern: St-Pierre’s discipline in the cage translated directly to his approach to managing a chronic illness.

How much money did George St-Pierre make in the UFC?

Exact figures are not public, but multiple sources estimate his career UFC earnings between $10–12 million, with a net worth around $30 million. His biggest single payday likely came from UFC 217 against Michael Bisping, which generated over 1 million PPV buys.

What is George St-Pierre’s net worth?

• Estimates vary. Celebrity Net Worth (Tier 3) places it at $30 million.
• Other sources range from $20–30 million.

How much did GSP earn per fight?

• The UFC does not disclose individual fight purses, but base salaries for title fights often exceed $500,000, plus PPV points (Statista, Tier 2).

Did Conor McGregor ever fight George St. Pierre?

No. The two never fought, despite fan speculation and interest from Conor McGregor. The ESPN reported that a superfight was discussed but never materialized.

Why didn’t GSP and Conor fight?

• St-Pierre retired in 2017 and later said he had no interest in fighting McGregor (GSP official website).
• While McGregor expressed interest, GSP’s management declined to pursue it.

Was a fight ever scheduled?

• No formal announcement was ever made. The closest was a rumored 2019 bout, but GSP was dealing with colitis.

The catch: The fight fans wanted most never happened because St-Pierre prioritized his health over a massive payday.

Is GSP religious?

Yes. St-Pierre is a devout Catholic and has spoken openly about his faith. He often crosses himself before fights and credits God for his success.

What religion is GSP?

• Roman Catholic. He has said, “I thank God for everything. Without Him, I wouldn’t be here.” (GSP official website)

How does faith impact GSP’s life?

• He prays regularly and has discussed how faith helps him manage fear and anxiety in the cage.
• In interviews, he credits his discipline and resilience to spiritual grounding.

The implication: For St-Pierre, faith was not a ritual but a tactical tool for managing the psychological demands of fighting.

Timeline of GSP’s career

• 2002 – Professional MMA debut (UFC)
• 2006 – First loss to Matt Hughes (UFC 63)
• 2007 – Defeats Hughes to win interim welterweight title (UFC 79)
• 2008–2013 – Nine consecutive title defenses (UFC)
• 2013 – Briefly retires from UFC (GSP official website)
• 2017 – Returns, defeats Bisping for middleweight belt; diagnosed with colitis (ESPN)
• 2021 – Briefly trains for a return (GSP official website)
• 2024 – Reveals colitis is in remission through intermittent fasting (Yahoo Sports)

“I was not happy anymore. I had a lot of personal issues. I needed to step away.”

— Georges St-Pierre, speaking about his 2017 retirement (GSP official website)

“I thank God for everything. Without Him, I wouldn’t be here.”

— Georges St-Pierre, on faith (GSP official website)

The implication: St-Pierre’s legacy is not just about the fights he won, but about the battles he fought outside the cage—against his own body and mind. For a generation of fighters, his honesty about mental health and illness set a new standard. For fans, his faith and discipline remain a blueprint for resilience.

The spec sheet below captures the technical attributes that defined his fighting career.

For a deeper look into his journey, including his battle with colitis and financial details, check out this comprehensive guide to GSPs career.

Frequently asked questions

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