In any sport, famous and traditional lists of the best or greatest of all time are common and often spark discussion among fans, athletes and the trade press. At mma it’s no different and we constantly see important members of the community being asked about it. And with Canadian Georges St-Pierre – former UFC welterweight (77 kg) and middleweight (84 kg) champion – this rule is confirmed.
In Paris (FRA), where he closely followed the first event promoted by the UFC on French territory, ‘GSP’ took part in a question-and-answer session with the fans, before the show’s weigh-in ceremony, and , as in other opportunities, has heard the request to make a new list, this time ranking the fighters who have had the greatest impact in the history of MMA. Considered by many to be one of the greatest of all time, St-Pierre showed humility and did not include himself, but mentioned seven big-name athletes, including three Brazilians who made a name for themselves in the Ultimate.
“Royce Gracie, because he did things early on that no one else had done. Amanda Nunes, even though she hasn’t retired yet, because I believe she’s the greatest fighter who ever lived. Khabib (Nurmagomedov), because he had the perfect career, undefeated, an incredible career. I would also put Conor McGregor, because he took the sport to a different level. I would put Jon Jones , Anderson Silva and Demetrious Johnson, because of their performances,” ‘GSP’ said.
Royce Gracie was the winner of UFCs 1, 2 and 4, using jiu-jitsu, until then unknown to most of the public, to win his duels against bigger and stronger opponents. The slender black belt’s triumphs served to bring attention to the sport which until then had been known as ‘Vale-Tudo’.
Amanda Nunes is the current UFC bantamweight (61 kg) and featherweight (66 kg) champion. The Bahianaise is considered by most of the fighting community as the “GOAT” (the greatest of all time) of women’s MMA.
Anderson Silva, meanwhile, has become one of Ultimate’s great stars over the past two decades, alongside Georges St-Pierre, both for his plastic fighting style and his dominance in the weight division. means, which lasted almost seven years.
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