JRE MMA Show #28 with Georges St-Pierre

GSP’s attempt to bulk up unnaturally to fight Bisping—eating every two hours and forcing food despite no appetite—triggered severe digestive issues and ulcerative colitis, and he now believes he would have performed better at his natural walking weight.

Working with Dr. Jason Fung, GSP adopted intermittent fasting, training on an empty stomach, and limiting his eating window; his symptoms diminished, his fat percentage dropped, muscle mass increased, and his inflammation and joint pain improved without changing his training volume.

GSP structures camp as a pyramid—physical conditioning at the base, technical skills in the middle, and tactics at the top—and credits coaches like Firas Zahabi, John Danaher, and Freddie Roach for being rare trainers who can influence all three, especially the tactical layer that separates contenders from champions.

He treats fighting as “autopilot” built through endless repetition and uses mental routines—like psyching himself up in the mirror before walking out—to override fear and ensure his training translates directly under pressure, rather than hoping to “step up” on fight night.

GSP relinquished the middleweight title once his colitis diagnosis was clear, refusing to stall the division or fight again at a weight that harmed his body, emphasizing he’s financially secure and must prioritize long‑term health over organizational expectations or public pressure.