“Being patient is part of training, so for now, please rest and concentrate on your recovery. I wish you all the best and look forward to your great success ahead.” Shokei Kancho Matsui gave Georges St-Pierre his blessings on 21 February 2012 when he visited Honbu to meet the legendary embodiment of Kyokushin karate. Apart from this, Matsui honored GSP’s achievements by presenting the 3rd Dan Black Belt and ICHGEKI Dogi. Starting in the discipline at the tender age of 7 and making it his MMA base, the French Canadian has always been a martial artist at heart.
Matsui wasn’t just another inspiration in GSP’s life. The International Karate Organization’s leader was the gatekeeper to a forgotten wisdom, a philosophical alchemist who could transform raw talent into something transcendent.“I idolized Sosai Oyama and Kancho Matsui since I was a child. Unfortunately, Sosai Oyama has passed away, but meeting Kancho Matsui has made my childhood dream come true.” GSP said with a smile on his face.
His weathered hands, calloused from breaking countless boards and bones, guided the GOAT contender through rituals of discipline that bordered on beautiful suffering. The Dan master didn’t see the greatest welterweight champion of all time, he saw only an eternal student with mountains yet to climb. Matsui, a direct disciple of Kyokushin founder Mas Oyama (also known as Masautatsu Oyama), embodied the purest essence of the art. And St-Pierre soaked it in. He often traveled to Japan to train under Matsui, immersing himself in the old-school rigor and spiritual depth of true Kyokushin karate.
However, the former UFC champion was highly influenced by the founder of the system, Mas Oyama. Though Georges St-Pierre never met the legendary master in person (as he passed away in 1994), the founder of Kyokushin karate has remained a powerful presence in his life and martial arts journey.
The 43-year-old took to his Instagram to share a heartfelt message for Oyama. He shared a picture with a caption that read, “A memory from Tokyo, Japan, on February 21, 2012, the date I received my 3rd dan black belt in Kyokushin karate from Shokei Matsui. In memory of Mas Oyama. OSU”.
Even after reaching global stardom, the French Canadian never distanced himself from his roots. He remained loyal to the teachings, often speaking publicly about the profound impact Matsui had on his life. In many ways, the calm, disciplined champion the world saw was a reflection of the Kyokushin master behind the scenes. While the 43-year-old was a dominant champion, he never really liked the idea of fighting. During a recent conversation on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, he shared his thoughts on what he felt about fighting.
Georges St-Pierre makes an honest confession about the idea of fighting
Georges St-Pierre is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes to ever compete in the Octagon. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he loved every aspect of the fight game. While some fighters are obsessed with combat, thriving on the chaos, the adrenaline, and the grind, GSP was different. He mastered the sport, no doubt, but it wasn’t his passion in the way it is for others. For him, fighting was a means to challenge himself, to grow, and to overcome fear, not something he eagerly looked forward to.
St-Pierre didn’t just conquer one weight class—he left his mark on two. At the height of his career, he reigned as the undisputed king of the welterweight division before making a triumphant return to capture the middleweight title as well. Now retired, GSP remains a constant presence in the greatest-of-all-time.
Despite all such accolades, he never liked the idea of fighting. While speaking to Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman on their podcast, the 43-year-old made some surprising revelations. He said, “I’m going to tell you something, guys. I never liked it. I never liked to fight. I liked the sport, the science of it, I liked to go train in the gym. The camaraderie of that I have with my training partner. The science of it, the freedom that fighting gives me, you know the money, the access to things that others doesn’t have.”
How highly do you rate the former UFC champion as a fighter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post “In the Memory of…” – Emotional Georges St-Pierre Sends Heartfelt Message to Karate Coach for 2012 Achievement appeared first on EssentiallySports.
