While visiting Canada, Israel Adesanya sat down with UFC legend and former two-divisional champion Georges ‘Rush’ St-Pierre. GSP imparted some invaluable advice to the reigning middleweight champion.
St-Pierre met Adesanya at Jacob & Co. Steakhouse in Toronto, where they enjoyed a high-end, private dinner. They reminisced on past fights and the pressures of being a champion. Israel Is going for his league-leading sixth title defence among active champions in November against kickboxing rival Alex Pereira.
Israel won the title in 2019 after defeating Robert Whittaker by a devastating knockout. Just shy of two years after St-Pierre won and relinquished the very same title. After a dominant showing over the middle champion Michael Bisping in 2017, Georges would inevitably step down due to health complications from attempting to increase his weight for the 185lb weight class.
High-End Advice, High-End Meal With Georges St-Pierre
“It’s good that you use it [criticism] as a fuel to motivate you because it gives you more energy to prove them wrong, but don’t pass the line of doing this,” St-Pierre told Adesanya.
“Heavy is the crown my friend,” St-Pierre continued. “And it’s just the beginning for you. Heavy is the crown. I’m honest with you. I like you. I’m telling you the truth; heavy is the crown.
“Nobody can understand, but it gets worse. It adds more weight to your shoulder every fight. Every fight is bigger and bigger, and the criticisms are worse, and the expectations are more and more. Keep that fire, man, because this journey can change you from the inside out.”
Adesanya posted a six-minute video of the pair’s conversation to his YouTube channel ‘FREESTYLEBENDER.’ Check it out below!
George St-Pierre and Israel Adesanya Chat it Up
What do you think of GSP’s advice to Israel? Do you agree that the pressure gets more intense for champions? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image credits to Israel Adesanya
