UFC 167 preview: A closer look at Georges St-Pierre’s ridiculously impressive career stats

Since first stepping foot inside the octagon against Karo Parisyan at “UFC 46: Supernatural” in January 2004, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has become one of the most successful fighters in the history of the organization.

In hindsight, the event name couldn’t have been any more perfect, because more than nine years after his UFC debut, the 32-year-old has developed into a “supernatural” talent.

St-Pierre (24-2 MMA, 18-2 UFC) has done it all during his incredibly successful time in the sport, and at UFC 167 on Saturday, the French-Canadian will hope to further his legacy when he meets top contender Johny Hendricks (15-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) in the evening’s pay-per-view main event.

The event marks the UFC’s 20th anniversary show, and who better to headline than one of the biggest stars of this era?

St-Pierre has spent his most recent years defending his 170-pound belt in his native Canada, but the organization felt it was necessary to bring out the big guns for a big show, and officials brought St-Pierre back to Las Vegas for the first time since July 2009.

Every time “Rush” steps foot in the cage, it’s a monumental occasion for the sport. And with arguably his most threatening opponent chomping to end his title reign, what better time than now to take a closer look at all the achievements St-Pierre already has under his belt?

GENERAL STATISTICS

UFC 167 marks St-Pierre’s 21st appearance under the UFC banner, tying him with Chris Leben for eighth most all-time. Tito Ortiz holds the record with 27 UFC appearances.

St-Pierre’s 3,577-day career with the UFC (as of UFC 167) makes him the longest tenured active welterweight on the UFC roster.

His total fight time of 5:03:12 is the second most in UFC history. B.J. Penn leads the category with 5:03:51. St-Pierre needs just 40 more seconds of fight time to pass him.

St-Pierre is tied with Matt Hughes for the most wins by any fighter in UFC history (18).

He’s fought in the main event in 13 of his 20 UFC appearances. The only time St-Peirre has not fought in the main event in his past 13 fights was at UFC 100, when Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir headlined and fought for the heavyweight title.

St-Pierre’s 11-fight UFC winning streak is the longest among active UFC fighters.

His 11-fight UFC winning streak is tied with Royce Gracie for the second longest of any fighter in company history. Anderson Silva leads the category with 16 consecutive victories.

CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS

At 32, he’s the oldest of the nine current UFC champions. The second oldest is Cain Velasquez, who is 31.

St-Pierre’s one of two Canadian fighters (Carlos Newton) to win a UFC championship.

He’s one of only five fighters in UFC history to become a two-time undisputed champion in a single weight class (Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia, Velasquez and Hughes).

His title reign of 2,174 days (as of UFC 167) is the longest in welterweight history and second longest overall in UFC history behind Anderson Silva (2,458 days).

St-Pierre’s eight welterweight title defenses are the most by any fighter in UFC history.

His eight consecutive title defenses are the second most in UFC history behind Anderson Silva (10) and the most ever in a row for a welterweight champion.

His 11 victories in UFC championship fights are tied with Anderson Silva for the most in organizational history.

St-Pierre is second to Couture for the most championship fights in UFC history with 13. “The Natural” fought in 15.

Along with bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and heavyweight champ Velasquez, St-Pierre is one of three current UFC titleholders to have avenged all of his career losses.

IN-FIGHT STATISTICS

St-Pierre has the most completed takedowns of any fighter in UFC history with 84. Lightweight Gleison Tibau is second (71).

St-Pierre has the highest takedown accuracy in UFC history at 75 percent; Nate Marquardt is second (73 percent).

He has the highest takedown defense rate in UFC welterweight history at 88 percent.

He has the highest significant striking defense rate in UFC welterweight history at 75.1 percent.

St-Pierre has the most total strikes landed in UFC history with 2,398. Jon Fitch is second (2,185).

He has the most significant strikes landed in UFC history with 1,153. Michael Bisping is second (947).

His total of 2:35:57 for control time in the cage is the most for any fighter in UFC history.

His 11 UFC fights to go to a decision are the third most in company history. Jon Fitch and Sam Stout hold the record with 13.

He’s won six fights in a row by decision, equaling 150 minutes of fighting without finishing an opponent, a current UFC-high.

St-Pierre averages the second longest fight time in UFC welterweight history at 15:10. Shields leads the category (15:59).

He has the second most submissions attempts of any fighter in UFC welterweight history with 22. Chris Lytle is first (31). Sixteen of those submission attempts have come via armbar or kimura.

For more on UFC 167, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.