Commonly referred to as 'GSP'.

St. Pierre is not your average athlete inside or outside the ring. While some star athletes exude arrogance, disdain or a major-league sense of entitlement, St. Pierre is polite, well-mannered and almost ego-free.

He drives a workmanlike SUV, grew up supporting the Oilers, lists his mother's tourtiere as his favourite dish and enjoys going to the movies. He loves fine dining but has a weakness for McDonald's (two cheeseburgers and french fries).

When he dethroned Matt Hughes to win the 170-pound title at UFC 65 in November 2006 in Sacramento, he gave the championship belt to his mother as a thank you for a lifetime of support.

When a busy schedule and unexpected development distracted St. Pierre from a scheduled interview with a reporter recently, the apologetic fighter rushed over to collect the journalist, conducted the interview over a steak dinner - which he paid for - and then drove the reporter to his hotel.

"A heart of gold," says trainer Greg Jackson.

"What's not to like about Georges St. Pierre?" asked UFC president Dana White. "He's the epitome of everything you'd like in a sports figure or a tough guy. He's humble, he trains hard, he's a good-looking kid, he says all the right things."

An elegant five foot 10, St. Pierre looks like he just walked off the pages of GQ. Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Affliction (a sponsor) fill the closet.

In the cage, St. Pierre is a different man. Determined. Measured. Relentless.

"Georges is a very sweet nice guy, very down to earth," said Firas Zahabi, one of St. Pierre's main trainers in Montreal. "But you can't go to war with that mentality. When you go to war, you've got to be ready to put everything on the line and you've got to forget about being nice.

"He can do that."

Courtesy of the Canadian Press.

UFC Welterweight Champion (former)

TKO Canadian Welterweight Champion (former)