For athletes, being in tip-top physical shape is very important. But according to this UFC champ, it takes more than that to compete and win. To outperform, Georges St-Pierre told Cheddar in an interview on Cheddar Wednesday, that he makes sure that he trains in three categories: physical, tactical, and technical. The middleweight champion is fresh of a titular win at UFC 217 from last Saturday. “Confidence of a competitor comes from how he prepares himself, and I was very well prepared,” he said. “It’s a little bit like when you study for an exam. If you studied well, you’re very confident that the exam will go well.” While St-Pierre acknowledges that preparation does not ensure winning, he says it’s required to win. The martial arts fighter told Cheddar that it’s imperative to view all three components of his training regimen as complementary to each other. Mental preparation, or the tactical aspect, is about clarity, and focusing on things that the athlete can control. He told Cheddar that a common mistake among athletes is focusing on other people. Winners don't focus on their fans or critics, he says, but on their opponents instead. He encourages athletes to focus only on what they can control, “especially leading up to a fight.” On the flip side, the physical preparation or being in shape, is the foundation, according to St-Pierre. Technicality is one’s ability to understand and excel in the sport, ie, knowing things such as chokes or counterattack strategies. The combination of these three elements ultimately results in one thing, St-Pierre says: focusing on yourself.

Share:
More In Sports
Gymnast Laurie Hernandez Prepares for Tokyo 2020
Olympic gold gymnast Laurie Hernandez won over our hearts at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Now, she has her mind set on the 2020 games. Hernandez joins Cheddar to talk about training this time around, her personal mantras, and partnering with Alcon to launch an 'Eye Can, Eye Will' campaign.
Influencer Platform Trufan to Launch with Backing of Big Sports Names
Trufan, a new platform letting brands and influencers reward their most loyal fans on social media, has attracted the attention of big names in sports and entertainment, but CEO Swish Goswami told Cheddar he's taking a "very Canadian approach" by catering to mom-and-pop shops as well.
Lacrosse League Startup Gets Backing from Alibaba's Joe Tsai to Build Media Business
Professional lacrosse league startup Premier Lacrosse League has big ambitions to take professional lacrosse mainstream ー and now it has funding from big investors to do it. Premier Lacrosse League announced on Tuesday it closed a series A round of funding, co-led by Alibaba billionaire Joseph Tsai's J Tsai Sports, the Raine Group, and Brett Jefferson.
Golden State Warriors Join Forces With Google for Cloud Tech
The star-studded Golden State Warriors is adding another flashy name to its team: Google. The NBA defending champions and the Chase Center just formed a new partnership with Google Cloud to create a high-tech sports and entertainment area. The Warriors' Chief Revenue Officer Brandon Schneider joined Cheddar to discuss the partnership.
Load More