'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Georges St-Pierre is regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. Throughout his Hall of Fame career, he defeated some of the biggest names on his way to becoming welterweight champion. His nine successful title defenses are still the most of any welterweight champion in the promotion’s history.
After cementing his legacy as the greatest welterweight fighter of all time, GSP decided to take a break from the sport. His hiatus lasted four years, and when he returned, he had other goals in mind. 'Rush' etched his name in the record books when he won the middleweight championship. In doing so, he became the latest to win a championship in two different weight classes.
What makes St-Pierre's resume so impressive is that he not only defeated the top contenders of his era but also defeated many Hall of Famers. This list will look at five UFC Hall of Famers that Georges St-Pierre has defeated.
#5. Frank Trigg – UFC 54: Bitter Rivals
St-Pierre’s bout with former title-challenger Frank Trigg at UFC 54 was another important test in his path back to title contention. When the two Hall of Famers met in the octagon, they both tasted defeat to then-champion Matt Hughes.
‘Rush’s' mental strength was tested as he dealt with Trigg’s trash talk in the buildup to the fight. This wasn’t something he really had to deal with until then, so he had to keep his emotions in check. He did just that as he executed his game plan perfectly.
The Canadian got the better of a standup exchange with Trigg before taking the fight to the ground. GSP was dominant from there as he controlled him on the ground. He then managed to take Trigg’s back before submitting him with a rear-naked choke at 4:09 of the first-round.
#4. Matt Serra – UFC 83
Georges St-Pierre vs. Matt Serra is still regarded as one of the biggest upsets in the promotion’s history. Serra won TUF season 4 and, as a result, was awarded a title shot against GSP.
Many assumed that after beating Matt Hughes, ‘Rush’ wouldn’t have too much trouble making his first title defense against Serra. That wasn’t the case as the TUF winner dropped St-Pierre with a powerful right-hand and finished him with ground strikes. The upset was the biggest turning point of his career as he made the necessary adjustments and never lost another fight.
Watch St-Pierre take on Matt Serra below:
The rematch took place one year after their first bout and had a much different result. This time, St-Pierre was the aggressor and finished Serra with knees on the ground to earn the TKO win and regain the welterweight championship.
#3. B.J. Penn – UFC 58 and 94
St-Pierre had two wins over UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn, one of the best fighters of his era. He first defeated Penn in 2006, when the promotion booked a Canada vs. USA card. It was a back-and-forth bout that saw both fighters have their moments. St-Pierre earned a split-decision win after the judges scored the bout 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28.
The highly-anticipated rematch took place three years later when ‘Rush’ was welterweight champion, and ‘The Prodigy’ was lightweight champion. This was significant as it was the first time two active champions fought each other in the promotion. St-Pierre again got his hand raised after Penn’s corner stopped the fight at the end of the fourth round.
There was some controversy following the rematch as Penn accused St-Pierre’s corner of applying too much vaseline on him. He felt that ‘Rush’ was able to slide out of the exchanges and ensured that he wouldn’t have any success grappling.
#2. Michael Bisping – UFC 217
One of the biggest wins of St-Pierre’s career was when he defeated Michael Bisping to become middleweight champion at UFC 217.
Following his four-year hiatus from the sport, it looked as though ‘Rush’s' return would be against then-welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. However, Dana White changed his mind following ‘The Chosen One’s' title defense over Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, which he felt wasn’t exciting. As a result, St-Pierre vs. Bisping for the middleweight championship was made official for the promotion’s return to Madison Square Garden.
‘The Count’ was a larger opponent and had competed at light heavyweight in the past. But that didn’t faze ‘Rush’ as he executed his game plan. He dropped Bisping with a left hook in the third round and submitted him with a deep rear-naked choke. St-Pierre joined the list of fighters to become a two-division champion in what ended up being his final fight.
#1. Matt Hughes – UFC 50, 65 and 79
St-Pierre’s trilogy with UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes ended the debate on who the greatest welterweight was at the time. He challenged Hughes for the welterweight championship in only his eighth professional fight.
Despite coming up short, it was a valuable learning experience for St-Pierre. He got a better idea of what it’s like to be in a championship fight and the adjustments he needed to make. ‘Rush’ had truly evolved as a fighter and put his skills on full display two years later when they fought in a rematch. He dropped Hughes with a head kick and finished him with strikes on the ground to become the new welterweight champion.
Watch St-Pierre battle Hughes at UFC 65 below:
In 2008, St-Pierre and Hughes met again in a trilogy bout for the interim welterweight championship. Once again, the fight ended in the second round. But this time, ‘Rush’ submitted Hughes with an armbar to close the chapter on the rivalry.
