In this edition of MMA Flashback we travel back in time to 2002 when a young Canadian fighter by the name of Georges St. Pierre makes his professional debut against the undefeated welterweight Ivan Menjivar. Menjivar, whose nickname is “Pride of El Salvadar,” was 4-0 when he fought St. Pierre at UCC 7 in Montreal. Menjivar came into the fight a couple of pounds over weight and had to forfeit 20% of his purse to St. Pierre.
Although just an inkling of the fighter he is today, UFC fans will surely notice the athleticism and the seeds of greatness St. Pierre already possessed. The referee makes a big mistake and stops the fight early near the end of the first round, but it is still an entertaining and important fight within the history of the sport.
There were several well known fighters on the UCC 7 card including Jeremy Horn, John Alessio, Jonathan Goulet, and David Louiseau among others. St. Pierre went on to win six more fights after this one until he fought his idol, Matt Hughes at UFC 50. Hughes submitted him at the end of the first round.
After the Hughes fight, St. Pierre won his next five fights then got his rematch against Hughes at UFC 65 for the title. St. Pierre won the title, but then lost it in his next fight in what was arguably the biggest upset of 2007, against Matt Serra.
St. Pierre won his next two fights, won his welterweight title back from Serra at UFC 83, and has remained undefeated ever since. Now with a record of 19-2 Georges St. Pierre is considered one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the world. It all started in this fight with Ivan Menjivar.