Georges St-Pierre
After compiling a 12-fight winning streak, including many welterweight title defenses against the best the division had to offer, Georges St-Pierre suddenly vacated the title and announced his was going to have an extended hiatus from the sport.
Unfortunately for fight fans one of the sport’s greatest ever talents would then go on to sit out for four long years.
When he did finally return it was to compete for the middleweight title against Michael Bisping in 2017, and he soon reminded everyone why he was such a special talent by showing no signs of ring rust as he dropped ‘The Count’ and ultimately finishing him by rear-naked choke in the second round.
While it was hoped that was just a taste of things to come, GSP promtly vacated the belt and sank back into the shadows, revealing that he had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after the fight.
St-Pierre would go on to bring the disease under control, but talks over a return to the Octagon stalled and the two-division champion announced his retirement in February of this year.
There is still a slight window of opportunity for a return, with Khabib Nurmagomedov known to be eager to fight him, but if not then it will be a great loss for the sport.
