Georges St-Pierre was born May 19, 1981, in Saint-Isidore, Quebec. He began martial arts training at age 7, first with karate then Brazilian jujitsu and earned a black belt in both disciplines (the latter in 2008, 6 years into his professional career). St-Pierre also worked with the Canadian National wrestling team and has had training in both boxing and Muay Thai.
As an MMA professional, Georges St-Pierre originally came out of the UCC (Universal Combat Challenge), a Quebec-based MMA organization. UCC started back in 1999, and GSP had his first professional fight three years later at UCC 7 Bad Boyz (January 25, 2002). The fight was against Ivan Menjivar and GSP won it in the first round by TKO.
Georges St-Pierre (0-0-0) vs. Ivan Menjivar (UCC 7 Bad Boyz, Jan. 25, 2002):
The fight went back and forth, each getting the other on the ground, until late in the first round when GSP pushed the shorter Menjivar to the canvas and began pummeling him. The referee stopped the fight at that point, mistaking Menjivar’s shouts of “Okay, Okay” as a verbal tap-out rather than a vocal statement of well-being.
Georges St-Pierre vs. Ivan Menjivar Fight Video:
Georges St-Pierre (1-0-0) vs. Justin Bruckmann (UCC 10 Battle for the Belts 2002, June 15, 2002):
By St-Pierre’s next fight, TKO Major League MMA bought out the UCC and promoted its fights. St-Pierre’s second fight was against Justin Bruckmann for the UCC Welterweight Title and it wasn’t much of a contest with GSP winning in the first round. GSP used his strength to force Bruckmann to the mat then moved from a side mount into a full mount position. After repeated shots to Bruckmann’s head, GSP isolated Bruckmann’s arm and moved into an arm bar submission to which Bruckmann tapped out.
Georges St-Pierre vs. Justin Bruckmann Fight Video:
Georges St-Pierre (2-0-0) vs. Travis Galbraith (UCC 11 The Next Level, Oct. 11, 2002):
GSP’s third fight, like his second, was not much of a contest. Right from the bell St-Pierre used a double-legged take down and passed Galbraith’s guard with ease. When Galbraith hugged St-Pierre tight in the guard, GSP raised him and smashed him to the canvass until he released. Once St-Pierre tired Galbraith out, he finished him with a flurry of elbows and fists. The referee stopped it at 2:03.
Georges St-Pierre vs. Travis Galbraith Fight Video:
Georges St-Pierre (3-0-0) vs. Thomas Denny (UCC 12 Adrenaline, Jan. 25, 2003):
GSP has had little competition up to this point in his career, beating his three opponents in the first round. Fighting American Thomas Denny was his first real test. Denny, at the time, had 19 fights (10-9) (the record of 7-7 shown in the video below was mistaken) winning his last bout by TKO against fellow American Ian Anderson at KOTC (King of the Cage) 17 San Jacinto.
Georges St-Pierre vs. Thomas Denny Fight Video:
Although a more experienced and tougher fighter than any of St-Pierre’s previous opponents, Denny was no match for GSP. St-Pierre took Denny to the mat at will with single-leg take downs. While on the ground, GSP would easily pass Denny’s guard into a full or side mount position and then punish the American with fist, elbow, and knee strikes. Denny survived until the end of round two, when St-Pierre opened his face up with a vicious knee to the head. The referee called the fight due to the injury.
Georges St-Pierre (4-0-0) vs. Pete Spratt (TKO 14 Road Warriors, Nov. 29, 2003):
Seemingly unstoppable, Georges St-Pierre entered the ring for his fifth bout against Pete Spratt. Spratt had a record of 12-6 (again the video below was mistaken) at the time and a skill in submission holds and KO’s (6 of his 12 wins had come from submissions, another 5 from knockouts). Spratt would later become a TV star in The Ultimate Fighter 4, Blind Date, and The Rear Naked Choke show, but here he loses to GSP.
Georges St-Pierre vs. Pete Spratt Fight Video:
In this bout we see St-Pierre have to defend himself in the guard for the first time since the first round of the Menjivar fight. But it didn’t last long, St-Pierre reversed it and spent most of the bout in full mount, side control or on Spratt’s back. Spratt made his final mistake when standing with St-Pierre on his back where by GSP applied a rear naked choke to submit him. This was St-Pierre’s second submission victory and his fourth in five fights winning in the first round. As of fight number five, GSP had yet to go the distance for a decision.