01 Jan Morning Report: Watch Georges St-Pierre’s reaction to his UFC Hall of Fame announcement
UFC 249 was a landmark event in MMA for a number of reasons. It was the first event held by the UFC during the coronavirus pandemic, Henry Cejudo announced his retirement from MMA, and Justin Gaethje may have killed the cursed Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight for good. But in the coming years, UFC 249 may be remembered more for something else entirely: the announcement that Georges St-Pierre would headline the UFC’s 2020 Hall of Fame class.
There are few (if any) fighters more deserving of such an honor than St-Pierre, but due to the strange circumstances of the global lockdown, his announcement was slightly more demure than other inductees have received. Frequently, when the UFC announces a new Hall of Fame inductee they like to surprise the honoree sitting at cageside. That was, of course, not possible due to COVID-19 so instead, Dana White called the former welterweight and middleweight champion during the event, to let him know the good news.
Watch @GeorgesStPierre’s first reaction to hearing he’ll be entering the #UFCHoF!
White: “Well this was supposed to be, obviously, a lot bigger when we announced this but this pandemic thing, but you’re being inducted into the Hall of Fame, my friend.
St-Pierre: Oh really? Thank you! Wow! What an honor! Thank you so much!
White: You’re welcome. And well deserved, my man. You’ve accomplished a lot of things in your life. Well deserved, my brother.
St-Pierre: Thank you for everything and wow! I don’t know what to say, man. What a great honor!
The UFC made the announcement official with a touching video tribute and St-Pierre later released a statement over social media thanking the Fertitta brothers, Dana White, the UFC, and everyone else that made it possible.
It’s a great honour to be inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame. I want to thank Lorenzo & Frank Fertitta, Dana White, the UFC team, my family, coaches, teammates, sponsors & all other collaborators, my opponents & my fans. This amazing journey wouldn’t have been possible without you. https://t.co/b6Mc7B1Sxb
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) May 10, 2020
St-Pierre is widely considered to be one of, if not, the greatest fighter in MMA history. His 15-year career saw him claim the UFC welterweight title twice (including nine title defenses) and the middleweight title once, while amassing a 26-2 record that saw him avenge both of his two defeats. St-Pierre’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony is expected to take place later this year and to air on UFC Fight Pass.
MUST-READ STORIES
Champion. Justin Gaethje brutalizes Tony Ferguson, wins interim lightweight title with fifth-round TKO.
Retirement. Henry Cejudo announces his retirement following TKO win over Dominick Cruz.
Hall of Fame. Georges St-Pierre will be inducted into 2020 UFC Hall of Fame class.
Accusation. Dominick Cruz upset with referee over stoppage at UFC 249, claims he ‘smelled like alcohol and cigarettes’.
Moving on. Dana White: It will be ‘Petr Yan and somebody’ to crown new UFC bantamweight champion.
Contract. Report: UFC 249 fighters can be fined for disparaging COVID-19 safety protocols.
VIDEO STEW
UFC 249 Post Show.
GSP’s Hall of Fame montage.
Post-fight presser.
Free fight.
This is interesting. A look at the cornering in the main event.
How good was Wandy? Real good.
LISTEN UP
6th Round. Immediate post-fight discussion of UFC 249.
Severe MMA. Discussing UFC 249 and Jacare testing positive for COVID-19.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Tony being Tony.
“Love You Babygirl” Thanks For Taking Care Of Me # Happy Mother’s Day Toots ⚾️ -XTA- Hometeam
“Recovery Dayze” ♂️ When You’re About To Get Discharged From The Hospital #LetMeOut # MothersDayVibes Post-Fight #ufc249 @ufc pic.twitter.com/KD21W1VlXL
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) May 11, 2020
Khabib’s reaction.
Whatever happened is in the past. Heads up Tony, I hope everything is good with you and your family. When your son grow up, he’ll be proud with you. @TonyFergusonXT
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 10, 2020
Lol.
Congrats @GeorgesStPierre on the Hall Of Fame. An amazing career, and couldn’t think of a better guy to choke me out unconscious and take my belt. ♂️ ♂️
— michael (@bisping) May 10, 2020
Cruz.
Thanks for the overwhelming love and support! It didn’t go my way last night.. But, you will never see me quit! Thank you guys #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/s06oiPNPVv
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) May 10, 2020
Title fight.
Smart decision to runaway from fighting me @HenryCejudo
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) May 10, 2020
I’m very happy to hear this news @danawhite Just tell me when and where, I don’t care who’s the opponent. My goal is to win the belt and become undisputed champion ✊ https://t.co/cXUR683vKB
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) May 10, 2020
@danawhite you have two beasts, ready to put on show for the vacant 135 lb title. @PetrYanUFC I know you want this just as much as I do. I am ready whenever! #UFC249
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 10, 2020
You know I’m in! Let’s do it @danawhite @seanshelby https://t.co/IQQyysTwXD
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) May 10, 2020
Respect.
I’m okay! Big up to @FrancisNgannou for taking the fight. Respect. ❤️ #UFC249 . . @ufc @michaelbabb01 @topnotchnl @noahsark @telesur_sr @ramadaparamaribo @firstroundmgmt @americantopteam @optimalmmatraining #FightWeek #Paramaribo #Suriname #Heavyweight #MMA #UFC #JairzinhoRozenstruik #BigiBoy #TeamBigiBoy
Respect always. Thank you as always to my friend, family and fans who support me no matter what! Thank you @VicenteLuqueMMA for getting in the octagon with me again! And thank you to the @ufc for calling me to fight during this time. #ufc249 #warriors #thankful pic.twitter.com/gUF06kyi67
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) May 10, 2020
Friends.
Cold.
The face off last longer than the fight itself #africapower pic.twitter.com/PCSNutYi3x
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 11, 2020
OUCH.
Put me in coach I’m good #ufc249 #imgood #battlewounds pic.twitter.com/l61g2ect5d
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) May 10, 2020
DC on Ngannou.
This is hilarious, this reaction is real. The moment I saw @francis_ngannou start to head downhill I knew jarzinho was in trouble. Crazy , insane , power. This dude gives the refs heart attacks, they run in like they’re trying to save his opponents lives, maybe they are sheesh! https://t.co/qWi4pBAHal
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 10, 2020
JDS on Ngannou.
Man this guy is lucky cause he has a lot of power because that’s it. Crazy
— Junior Dos Santos ️➕ (@junior_cigano) May 10, 2020
Jon Jones being the most petty.
Damn, beat that man like he broke into the wrong house
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 10, 2020
Perhaps. But the champ is a different story.
I’m better than these guys
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 10, 2020
Weird.
Happy mother’s day
Damn good poster.
Next fight @TonyFergusonXT @Justin_Gaethje @TeamKhabib #DESIGNBYFEO @danawhite pic.twitter.com/Hwp3vkUurM
— DESIGN BY FEO (@designbyfeo) May 10, 2020
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
FINAL THOUGHTS
GSP is pretty obviously the MMA GOAT so glad good the UFC is inducting him. There are still a few glaring omissions from the Hall *cough* Frank Shamrock *cough* but GSP being inducted shores up a big one.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
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