Georges St-Pierre suggests that a new competitor might soon join the heated “greatest of all time” conversation in MMA.
The iconic Georges St-Pierre is widely recognized as a top contender for GOAT recognition, boasting a remarkable career inside the Octagon with two championship titles in different weight classes.
He has often been mentioned in the same breath as legends like Jon Jones and Anderson Silva, with a recent Bloody Elbow poll ranking St-Pierre second only to Jones.
This rivalry for the top spot is expected to grow fiercer in the coming years, and GSP is optimistic that a major UFC star could disrupt the current hierarchy if they maintain their dominant performances.
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Georges St-Pierre believes Ilia Topuria has the potential to become MMA’s all-time best
Few fighters have exhibited as much commanding strength on MMA’s biggest stages as Ilia Topuria.
The undefeated 17-0 Spanish phenom has triumphed in all nine of his UFC outings, securing titles in both the lightweight and featherweight divisions.
Topuria’s knockout victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 crowned him the 155-pound champion and extended his list of high-profile victims, which includes Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, all felled by his formidable KO power.
Next, Topuria is expected to face interim champion Justin Gaethje, possibly in a high-profile bout at the White House this June.
If the rising star continues to defeat top contenders as he has, St-Pierre has indicated that he’s on track to claim GOAT status.
“Without a doubt, if Ilia Topuria keeps this pace and level of performance, he’ll become the greatest of all time,” St-Pierre told Alvaro Colmenero in an interview featured in Colmenero’s book.
“He just needs to stay focused and avoid distractions,” he added.
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Ilia Topuria sets sights on a historic three-division championship goal that St-Pierre never pursued
Ilia Topuria’s ambitions go beyond just making history.
After exiting featherweight to become the 10th UFC fighter to hold titles in two different weight classes, he is already aiming higher.
Topuria aspires to become the first UFC athlete to capture championships in three weight divisions.
Securing a third belt would certainly boost his claim to the GOAT title, validating St-Pierre’s belief in his extraordinary potential.
Fan Take: This development is thrilling for fight fans because it signals the rise of a new superstar who could redefine greatness in MMA. Topuria’s pursuit of a historic third title not only adds fresh excitement but could also push the sport’s competitive standards to unprecedented heights.
