Georges StPierre was born on May 19 1981 in SaintIsidore Quebec to Jim and Paulyne StPierre StPierre had a difficult childhood attending a school where others would steal his clothes and money He started learning Kyokushin karate at age seven from his father and later from a Kyokushin Karate Master to defend himself against a school bully He took up wrestling and Brazilian JiuJitsu after his karate teacher died and also trained in boxing Before turning pro as a mixedmartial artist StPierre worked as a bouncer at a Montreal night club in the South Shore called Fuzzy Brossard and as a garbageman for six months to pay for his school fees StPierre has trained with a number of groups in a large variety of gyms throughout his fighting career Prior to his fight with BJ Penn at UFC 58 he trained at the Renzo Gracie JiuJitsu Academy in New York City StPierre received his brown belt in BJJ from Renzo Gracie on July 21 2006 In September 2008 StPierre earned his black belt in Brazilian JiuJitsu under Bruno Fernandes