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Joe Rogan explains why Georges St-Pierre’s career is the ‘best-case scenario’ for UFC fighters

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 7:03 PM ET

Not many have the kind of clean exit from MMA that Georges St-Pierre did.

The legendary former UFC middleweight and welterweight champion is a leading candidate for the greatest-of-all-time status in mixed martial arts.

That is courtesy of an illustrious career inside the Octagon, during which the Canadian set multiple records and recorded many memorable victories.

St-Pierre beat Michael Bisping at UFC 217 to achieve two-division superiority in 2017, a bout that marked his very last in the cage.

Many pushed for GSP to return, believing that he ended his career too soon. But in the eyes of Joe Rogan, fighters should aspire to exit like the former double champ did.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Joe Rogan says UFC fighters should target a career like Georges St-Pierre’s

‘Rush’ retired with just one TKO loss in 28 fights spanning a 15-year career. With that in mind, Rogan thinks new fighters should be looking at St-Pierre’s career as an example.

During an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the longtime UFC color commentator highlighted the issue of CTE and traumatic brain injuries in veteran fighters, especially those who did not call it quits soon enough.

St-Pierre is one example of a retired UFC star who appears to be thriving post-MMA, so much so that Rogan sees him as the “best-case scenario” for fighters.

“Guys in the gym that I used to train with…I was seeing brain damage in these guys,” Rogan said. “I was seeing them slurring their words, forgetting what they were saying, repeating themselves.

“They’d tell you a story, then they’d tell you the same story like two minutes later…they don’t remember anything.

“He’s fine,” Rogan added, regarding St-Pierre. “He’s a very intelligent guy. He also does a lot of things to keep his mind very active.

“He’s the best-case scenario for an all-time great MMA champion who has a successful and happy life outside of it.

“He’s (physically) fine. I’ve hung out with him a bunch…he’s great.”

Georges St-Pierre falls short of Jon Jones as fans choose the MMA GOAT

No conversation about the greatest of all time is complete in MMA without the inclusion of St-Pierre, as was proven in a recent Bloody Elbow fan vote to determine the GOAT.

Over 1,000 readers had their say on the ever-polarizing debate as part of TalkingPoints, and ‘Rush’ finished in second with just under 25 percent of the vote.

St-Pierre was beaten only by Jon Jones, who took the crown with 34.62 percent.

Below the Canadian were Khabib Nurmagomedov, Demetrious Johnson, Fedor Emelianenko, Anderson Silva, Amanda Nunes, Conor McGregor, and Daniel Cormier.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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