Georges St-Pierre retires as the greatest welterweight of all time, and a solid contender for G.O.A.T. After fighting professionally for 16 years, he retires with robust health, a monster bank account, coming off a world title win.

This is a moment for celebration.

The announcement came during a press conference in Montreal.

“I know damn well what I don’t want, and that is to retire too late,” explained the ever intelligent fighter.

It takes a lot of discipline to become and stay champion. It also takes a lot of discipline to stop while still feeling that you’re in the best physical and mental shape of your life, but I’ve always planned to leave the sport when I’m at the top and in good health.

I want to thank my family, my fans, my coaches, trainers, and training partners, my sponsors and my agents for their indefectible support during all these years. I will forever be grateful for the work of Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, as well as Dana White and all UFC employees for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills before the world, from UFC 46 to UFC 217. I also want to thank each of my opponents. All of them are incredible athletes who brought out the best in me. I retire from competition with great pride at having had a positive impact on my sport. I intend to keep training and practicing martial arts for as long as I live, and I look forward to watching the new generation of champions carry our sport into the future.

UFC president Dana White offered due praise:

Georges has cemented his legacy as one of the pound-for-pound greatest fighters ever. He beat all the top guys during his welterweight title reign and even went up a weight class to win the middleweight championship. He spent years as one of the biggest names in MMA and remains one of the best ambassadors for the sport. He put Canada on the MMA map.

h/t Mike Bohn, MMAjunkie