GSP says Justin Gaethje should retire: 'He's already achieved everything'

Georges St-Pierre has publicly called for Justin Gaethje to hang up his gloves, saying the lightweight champion has accomplished enough to walk away on his own terms.

Speaking on the subject, the retired welterweight legend said he would choose retirement if he were in Gaethje's position, framing a potential exit not as a defeat but as the ideal conclusion to an extraordinary career. St-Pierre did not mince words, arguing that Gaethje has already reached the pinnacle of the sport.

St-Pierre, 45, is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. The Canadian, who trained out of Tristar Gym, finished his career with a 26-2 record and was known for his technical, all-around game — averaging 4.16 takedowns per fifteen minutes and landing strikes at a 53 percent accuracy rate across his career.

Gaethje, 37, currently holds the lightweight championship and carries a 28-5 record. The Arizona native, who trains out of Genesis Training Center, is one of the most relentless pressure fighters the division has ever seen, averaging 6.48 significant strikes per minute with a 58 percent striking accuracy — elite numbers for the 155-pound class. He has pursued and captured gold after years as one of the sport's most exciting and durable competitors.

Why it matters

• St-Pierre's comments put public spotlight on Gaethje's future in the sport at 37 years old
• Gaethje is the reigning lightweight champion, meaning any retirement would immediately open a title vacancy
• The stylistic toll of Gaethje's high-output, pressure-heavy approach raises legitimate long-term questions about wear and tear
• Remarks from a figure of St-Pierre's stature carry weight in shaping the broader conversation around fighter longevity