Thursday night, the UFC announced a special media conference call for Friday afternoon with Welterweight champion Geroges St-Pierre and UFC president Dana White. Reports followed on Friday that the champ intended take an indefinite leave of absence and will be relinquishing the title.

At the beginning of the call, St. Pierre explained that after 22 fights in the UFC, 15 of them for the title, he's decided take an indefinite leave of absence and vacate the title. He assures that he is healthy physically, but needs the break because of mental pressures of being champion.

Dana White said he completely supports GSP's decision.

St-Pierre is coming off a closely fought split decision win over Johny Hendricks at UFC 167. He's letting go of the Welterweight belt with a career record of 25-2, on a 12 fight win streak with 9 consecutive title defenses. As one of the biggest and most consistent draws in the organization St-Pierre will be greatly missed by the UFC and the entire MMA world.