Canadian Museum of History adds Georges St-Pierre’s UFC championship belt to the national collection

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Gatineau, Quebec, January 31, 2019 — The Canadian Museum of History has acquired a unique piece of Canadian sports history: mixed martial arts legend Georges St-Pierre’s 2009 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 94 title belt, along with a pair of shorts and gloves that he wore.

A two-time former UFC Welterweight Champion and one-time Middleweight Champion, St-Pierre is the most successful Canadian to compete in mixed martial arts (MMA), a form of combat that combines wrestling, jiu‑jitsu and kick-boxing. He has successfully defended his title nine consecutive times from 2008 to 2013. He is recognized as one of the planet’s best pound-for-pound MMA fighters and all-around athletes.

“We are very pleased to be the first institution to add to our collection a piece of memorabilia related to Georges St-Pierre, and in so doing recognize both his exceptional career and the popularity of mixed martial arts in Canada,” said Mark O’Neill, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History. “The belt helps us tell the story of a well-loved and inspiring figure in Canadian sport, and the evolution of mixed martial arts from brutal combat to a mainstream sport with universal rules.”

“I was very pleased and proud to learn of the acquisition of my UFC 94 championship belt by the Canadian Museum of History,” said Georges St-Pierre. “The belt, which could have been lost as a result of an unfortunate set of circumstances, is now in good hands for the long term. It is a great honour to have it on public display. I would like to express my deep gratitude and thanks to the Museum’s management, as well as to everyone who has encouraged me over the years.”

Born in Saint-Isidore, Quebec, St-Pierre was named the Canadian Athlete of the Year by Rogers Sportsnet in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He retired from the UFC at the end of 2013 but returned in 2017 to defeat Michael Bisping for the Middleweight title at UFC 217. Now 37 years old and still fighting, he holds the all-time record for most wins in UFC title bouts, with 26 wins (eight by knockout, six by submission and 12 by decision).

UFC 94 was a pay-per-view event held on January 31, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main bout, St-Pierre defended his UFC Welterweight Champion title against UFC Lightweight Champion and former UFC Welterweight Champion B. J. Penn. The historical match — the first time that two current UFC titleholders competed against each other — consisted of five five-minute rounds. St-Pierre was declared the winner by TKO at the end of the fourth round, when the referee stopped the match on the cage-side doctor’s advice.

The belt, a large black leather and metal piece, encrusted with cubic zirconia and emblazoned with the UFC logo, evokes the spectacle of the UFC itself. It was acquired through Classic Auctions, a respected seller of iconic sports memorabilia.

Visitors will have the opportunity to admire the belt, which will be on display in the Museum’s Lobby, from February 1 to 4.

Located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of History attracts over 1.2 million visitors each year. The Museum’s principal role is to enhance Canadians’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the events, experiences, people and objects that have shaped Canada’s history and identity, as well as to enhance Canadians’ awareness of world history and culture. Work of the Canadian Museum of History is made possible in part through financial support of the Government of Canada.

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