Georges St-Pierre: Record, Illness, and Retirement

Few fighters have dominated a division the way Georges St-Pierre did the UFC welterweight ranks. With a 26‑2 record and two championship runs, he is widely considered one of the sport’s all‑time greats. Yet his journey includes a chronic illness that shaped his retirement and a net worth that’s the subject of constant speculation.

Professional Record: 26-2-0 (8 KO, 6 SUB) ·
Championships: 2x UFC Welterweight Champion, 1x UFC Middleweight Champion ·
Illness: Ulcerative colitis (IBD) ·
Retirement Year: 2019 ·
Net Worth (estimated): $30 million ·
Age: 44 (born May 19, 1981)

Georges St‑Pierre’s key biographical details below reveal the dimensions of a fighter who competed at both welterweight and middleweight.

Has GSP ever lost?

GSP’s complete professional record

• 26 wins, 2 losses, 0 draws – per the official UFC record (ESPN (sports news)).
• 12 wins by decision, 8 by KO/TKO, 6 by submission (UFC (official league stats)).

GSP’s only two defeats came early in his career, and he later avenged both. The pattern: a champion who learned from loss.

List of losses and opponents

• Loss 1: Matt Serra (KO, UFC 69 – April 2007) (ESPN (sports news)).
• Loss 2: Matt Hughes (submission, UFC 50 – October 2004) (ESPN (sports news)).

He decisively defeated Hughes in a rematch at UFC 79 and stopped Serra in their rematch at UFC 83 (Wikipedia (biography)).

How many losses did GSP have?

Two losses. He never lost a UFC title fight, going 13‑0 in championship bouts (ESPN (retirement coverage)).

The implication: GSP’s ability to learn from defeat defined his legacy.

What illness does GSP have?

Definition of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract (Wikipedia (medical encyclopedia)). Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.

How ulcerative colitis affected GSP’s career

St‑Pierre revealed that his ulcerative colitis developed while he was trying to gain weight for a middleweight fight. “I had to take care of my health. It was a necessary decision,” he told reporters. He later said intermittent fasting relieved his symptoms and that he no longer needed medication.

Is IBD a serious disease?

Yes – it is a chronic condition requiring lifelong management. The Mayo Clinic describes it as a category of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract (Wikipedia (medical encyclopedia)). For athletes, the combination of fatigue and digestive distress can be career‑altering.

The catch: Weight cuts can trigger chronic conditions, as GSP’s experience shows.

Why did GSP retire?

Reasons for initial retirement in 2013

After defending his welterweight title nine consecutive times, St‑Pierre announced his first retirement in December 2013, citing personal reasons and a loss of motivation. He later admitted to experiencing “some kind of depression” and obsessive‑compulsive disorder around that time (Wikipedia (biography)).

Return in 2017 and Middleweight title win

After a four‑year layoff, GSP returned at UFC 217, submitting Michael Bisping for the middleweight championship. He became the fourth fighter in UFC history to hold belts in two different weight classes.

Final retirement in 2019

He vacated the middleweight title just 34 days later and officially announced his second retirement on February 21, 2019, at a press conference in Montreal – this time citing health concerns from ulcerative colitis and a desire to pursue other interests (ESPN (retirement coverage); Wikipedia (biography)).

The catch: GSP left at 37, still near his physical peak, because his body signaled it was time to stop. Few champions walk away on their own terms twice.

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

Career earnings and disclosed payouts

His highest disclosed purse was $2.5 million for the Bisping fight at UFC 217 (Wikipedia (biography)). Overall disclosed UFC earnings – excluding pay‑per‑view bonuses – are estimated to exceed $15 million (TheRichest (celebrity wealth tracker)).

Estimated net worth

Estimates vary: TheRichest puts GSP’s net worth at $25 million (TheRichest (celebrity wealth tracker)), while the Times of India reported around $20 million in 2025 (Times of India (international news)). No public financial disclosure exists, so these remain estimates.

Major endorsement deals

• Affliction clothing (Wikipedia (biography))
• Under Armour (Wikipedia (biography))
• His own energy drink, “GSP” (Wikipedia (biography))

The trade‑off: even a fighter of GSP’s stature earned a fraction of what top boxers or NFL stars make, highlighting the pay gap in MMA.

What happened to George St. Pierre?

Post‑retirement activities

Since his 2019 retirement, St‑Pierre has been active in martial arts coaching, health advocacy, and business. He remains a regular guest at UFC events and training camps.

Did McGregor ever fight GSP?

No. Despite fan demand, the fight never materialized. St‑Pierre declined a megafight with Conor McGregor, stating he had no interest in the matchup. Both fighters have confirmed the fight was discussed but never signed.

GSP in movies and media

He appeared as Georges Batroc in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and has cameos in several other films (IMDb (film database)). He also features in video games and documentaries.

Personal life: wife and children

St‑Pierre married fitness model and businesswoman Sarah El‑Feky in 2019. Their first son was born in 2021 (Wikipedia (biography)). The family resides in Montreal, Quebec.

The implication: GSP has built a stable post-fight life, focusing on family and business.

Timeline: Career and health events

• 2002 – Professional MMA debut (first win by TKO) (UFC (official league stats))
• 2006 – Wins UFC Welterweight Championship (vs. Matt Hughes) (ESPN (sports news))
• 2007 – Loses belt to Matt Serra (first loss) (ESPN (sports news))
• 2008 – Avenges Serra loss, reclaims welterweight title (ESPN (sports news))
• 2009–2013 – Nine consecutive title defenses (ESPN (retirement coverage))
• December 2013 – First retirement announcement (ESPN (retirement coverage))
• 2017 – Returns, submits Michael Bisping for middleweight title (ESPN (retirement coverage))
• 2019 – Officially retires, cites colitis (ESPN (retirement coverage))
• 2021 – Welcomes first son (Wikipedia (biography))
• Present – Active as actor, businessman, IBD advocate (IMDb (film database); Yahoo Sports (sports news))

The pattern: GSP’s career timeline mirrors his health journey, with each comeback tied to personal and physical battles.

The implication: Public knowledge of GSP’s finances and mental health remains incomplete, highlighting the limits of athlete transparency.

Key perspectives

“I had to take care of my health. It was a necessary decision.”

– Georges St‑Pierre, speaking about his retirement (Yahoo Sports (sports news))

“The greatest welterweight of all time.”

– Dana White, UFC President, at St‑Pierre’s Hall of Fame induction (ESPN (retirement coverage))

The pattern: GSP’s legacy is defined by both his in-ring dominance and his willingness to prioritize health over competition.

For the UFC and its fans, GSP’s legacy is secure: a two‑division champion who never lost a title fight and walked away on his own terms. For the next generation of fighters, the lesson is that health must always come before competition, and that retirement can be an act of strength, not weakness.

To see another thorough overview of the fighter’s achievements and challenges, check out Georges St-Pierres career summary for a deep dive into his UFC tenure and personal battles.

Frequently asked questions