Georges St-Pierre: The Science of Fighting | Lex Fridman Podcast #179

The following is a conversation with Georges St-Pierre, considered by many to be the greatest fighter in the history of UFC and MMA, but even more than that, one of the greatest martial artists ever. Quick mention of our sponsors: Allform, ExpressVPN, Blinkist, Theragun, and The Information. Check them out in the description to support this podcast. As a side note, let me say that getting the chance to hang out with Georges, talk to him on the podcast, record a quick self-defense video that I'll release soon, all while both of us wearing suits, was one of the most memorable days of my life. In setting all this up, I talked to Joe Rogan and originally, we couldn't schedule a chat with him and Georges on the JRE, which allowed me to pretend for a brief time that Georges came down to Austin just to see me. Who the hell am I? In truth, him and Joe probably conspired to make me feel special, but that's the point. It's inspiring to see Georges and Joe, who are at the top of their field, treat others as equals, as human beings, no matter who they are, even silly Russians in a suit. Meeting Georges was an honor for me beyond words. This is the Lex Fridman Podcast, and here's my conversation with my longtime martial arts hero, and now my friend, Mr. Georges St-Pierre. In your fighting career, were you more motivated by the love of winning or the fear and hatred of losing?

I like to win better than I hate to lose because if it would not have been the case, I would never have fought in the first place because I don't like to fight at all.

But you talked about the anxiety, the fear that you experienced leading up to a fight. So, to you, ultimately, the reason to go through that difficult process is because it feels damn good to have your hand raised?

There is that. There is also the fact that martial art had been introduced when I was very young and it's probably the best thing I can do in my life. Fighting is- it's- that's what I do best. Also, it provides me of freedom, of access of things that most of people do not have, um, but all that has a price. And a lot of money, I made a lot of money, of course, with it. I was maybe predisposed with certain abilities, I met incredible mentors throughout my life, I worked really hard, and, of course, I had a lot of chances. The- the stars were all aligned. And in order to- to kept- keep that- those advantages of freedom, money and glory and access of things that most people don't have and have th- this dream life that I have, I had to sacrifice myself and fight in order to keep it. It's very hard to understand because I also believe most fighters are not like me. They... A lot of guys, because I corner a lot of guys, and it seems to me that they love their job, they enjoyed to- to go fight in a cage. I love to train, I love the science of fighting, the sport, the f- to- to be in good shape, the confidence that training in mixed martial art give me. However, I do not like the feeling of uncertainty, the stress that I have not knowing if I will be badly injure or humiliated or winning the fight. It's, to me, unbearable and it... That's what takes the most out of me, more than brain damage, more than anything, that's what takes the most out of me.