UFC legend earns Joe Rogan’s biggest respect for training after retirement 

Joe Rogan talks about the former UFC welterweight champion and GOAT of MMA, Georges St-Pierre, and his habit of always training.

UFC legend earns Joe Rogan’s biggest respect for training after retirement 

Joe Rogan talks about Georges St-Pierre's training habit (via Imago/X)

Joe Rogan has been in the MMA business for more than 20 years now and has seen many fighters. He has interviewed several fighters inside the octagon and also during episodes of his widely popular podcast show. Rogan has tried to understand their craft in great detail, exploring techniques, mindsets, training routines, and fighting philosophies over time.

Among all the fighters he has met and spoken with, Georges St-Pierre has truly managed to impress him in a unique way. St-Pierre is often regarded as the greatest of all time when it comes to the history of MMA. However, despite all that success, his affinity towards learning and staying disciplined has impressed Rogan the most.

He still does the same thing. He’s really a martial artist. He doesn’t want to fight anymore at all. He’s just a martial artist. He’s so happy and content. He’s the best example of the guy who retired with millions in the bank and is living like his best life. He just want to learn and grow.

Joe Rogan via JRE #2309

It was Joey Diaz who brought up GSP, admiring his evolution and growth as a fighter during his incredible prime years. He described how St-Pierre constantly introduced new techniques, surprising fans with different skills whenever he stepped inside the octagon. Rogan agreed and highlighted GSP’s brilliant fight IQ, which played a huge role in defeating even the toughest and smartest opponents.

Rogan also mentioned how St-Pierre was always curious about learning new things and trained everywhere around the globe for knowledge. According to him, GSP retired at the top, on his own terms and as a champion. Something like this is very hard to achieve, especially in a highly competitive promotion like UFC.

When Joe Rogan taught Georges St-Pierre his iconic kick 

Before starting his career as a UFC commentator, Joe Rogan had an incredible experience in martial arts. He has competed in various kickboxing tournaments during his early years and has a nasty spinning side-kick. Rogan once demonstrated a powerful spinning back kick to Georges St-Pierre during a training session, impressing him with its precision.

Joe Rogan teaches Georges St-Pierre his sidekick
Joe Rogan teaches Georges St-Pierre his sidekick (via X)

St-Pierre, known for his openness to learning, asked Rogan to break down the technique step-by-step, analyzing its mechanics with intense focus. Rogan explained the kick’s torque generation and hip rotation, emphasizing balance and follow-through to maximize impact and prevent injury.

Notice how everything goes in a straight line. What you’re doing wrong is your knee is low and as you’re kicking, you’re going up. In going up, you lose a lot of the energy. You don’t want to go up, you want to go straight.

Joe Rogan via an old video.

GSP practiced repeatedly under Rogan’s guidance, refining his posture and distance until the motion became fluid and explosive. After hours of drilling. The technique eventually became part of GSP’s arsenal, blending perfectly with his karate roots and enhancing his already elite striking versatility.

Georges St-Pierre’s greatest wins 

Georges St-Pierre is one of the most decorated fighters in the history of UFC, with two championships in different weight classes. He has a whopping nine title defenses, making him the most successful welterweight of all time. St-Pierre’s dominant win over Matt Hughes at UFC 65 showcased his evolution, avenging a prior loss with conviction. 

Georges St-Pierre beats Michael Bisping to become champion
Georges St-Pierre beats Michael Bisping to become champion (via X)

At UFC 94, St-Pierre neutralized BJ Penn’s offense with suffocating wrestling, proving his superiority in a long-anticipated champion versus champion showdown. His victory over Josh Koscheck at UFC 124 was a masterclass in striking, particularly with repeated jabs that shattered Koscheck’s orbital bone.

St-Pierre’s return against Michael Bisping at UFC 217 highlighted his resilience, capturing the middleweight title after a four-year hiatus from competition. This victory earned him the double champion status.

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