Georges St-Pierre Warns Dana White’s Welterweight ‘GOAT’ About Continuing to Fight

Georges St-Pierre cautions Kamaru Usman about extending his MMA career, highlighting the risks of competing at an older age.

Georges St-Pierre Warns Dana White’s Welterweight ‘GOAT’ About Continuing to Fight

Georges St-Pierre talks about Kamaru Usman's retirement (via ESPN, MMA Mania)

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The conversation around career longevity in mixed martial arts continues to surface as prominent figures revisit the realities of competing at the highest level. Discussions often highlight the physical and strategic considerations athletes face as they approach the latter stages of their careers. UFC legend Georges St-Pierre recently brought up this topic while discussing the career of Kamaru Usman.

The welterweight division has featured many champions over the years, including Matt Hughes, Robbie Lawler, and Tyron Woodley. Within this history, St-Pierre and Usman stand out as the most dominant champions the division has produced. GSP held one of the longest reigns in UFC history, while Usman maintained a lengthy winning streak and defended his title multiple times.

Usman recorded notable victories over Jorge Masvidal, Colby Covington, and Gilbert Burns during his peak. His career changed after his title loss to Leon Edwards, marking a period of uneven results and reduced momentum. These fluctuations created a backdrop against which St-Pierre recently offered guidance on how a former champion might navigate the later stages of an elite career.

Kamaru is in his late 30s and I said, man, I’ve been there, and I said, are you gonna compete again? He’s like, ‘Yeah, I think I’m gonna go for one more stretch.’ I said, if you want one of my advices, Kamaru, I said, do what you got to do, get it out of your system, but get out on top.

Georges St-Pierre via Adin Ross

Usman earned his UFC contract by winning The Ultimate Fighter 21 and later captured the welterweight championship from Tyron Woodley at UFC 236 in 2019. Before losing to Edwards at UFC 278 by head-kick knockout, he was riding a 15-fight UFC win streak. The defeat was followed by consecutive losses, signaling a turning point. These setbacks intensified discussions about his competitive future.

Despite recent struggles, Usman is still widely regarded as one of the most dominant welterweight champions in UFC history. UFC CEO Dana White has also labeled him the greatest fighter to ever compete at 170 pounds. Usman has considered a title shot against middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev. His ambitions reflect his continued belief in championship potential.

The broader landscape indicates that Usman remains a highly dangerous contender in a young, rapidly developing division. He has been linked to a potential title opportunity against new champion Islam Makhachev, keeping him firmly in elite conversation. These possibilities underscore his ongoing relevance. St-Pierre’s involvement further highlights the importance of legacy and timing in MMA careers.

Georges St-Pierre slams critics after Islam Makhachev’s performance at UFC 322

UFC 322 featured a significant shift in division dynamics as Islam Makhachev moved up in weight class and captured the welterweight championship. The contest took place in New York, where Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena and secured the belt with strong grappling control and takedowns. With the victory, he became a two-division UFC champion and joined a small elite group.

Georges St-Pierre commends Islam Makhachev's performance at UFC 322
Georges St-Pierre commends Islam Makhachev’s performance at UFC 322 (via Bloody Elbow, ABC News)

Following the event, Georges St-Pierre addressed the backlash directed at Makhachev, focusing on criticisms questioning the style and substance of the performance. St-Pierre built up his response by highlighting how many observers overlook the deeper elements of high-level mixed martial arts. He emphasized that such criticism misunderstands the technical demands of elite competition.

I don’t think he even took a punch. It’s unbelievable. A lot of people who were there said, ‘Oh, yeah, it was a decision.’ People who say that, I’m sorry, because they don’t know the art of fighting. They have no idea. They don’t understand the art of fighting. His performance was freaking amazing. Yeah, the fight was not a flawless victory with a crazy submission or knockout. But going up a weight class and beating Jack Della Maddalena like he did is freaking hard.

Georges St-Pierre via Adin Ross

Georges St-Pierre has long been an avid supporter of Makhachev and has consistently identified him as the best fighter of this era. His stance reflects continued recognition of Makhachev’s accomplishments across both weight classes. As Makhachev settles into welterweight, St-Pierre’s backing adds further weight to his status.

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