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UFC legend Georges St-Pierre says he retired because of stress: It really took it out of me

Georges St-Pierre had always suffered with pre-fight nerves, but to what extent, we didn’t really know.

St-Pierre was forced to relinquish his UFC middleweight title after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017 and, according to a recent interview with South China Morning Post, ‘Rush’ believes stress may have played a factor in his diagnosis.

The 39-year-old believes he could still compete at the highest level if not for feeling so terrified before his fights.

“I was always very scared,” St-Pierre said. “I couldn’t sleep well the night, a few nights, before the fight.