UFC President Dana White isn’t surprised by Georges St-Pierre’s decision to relinquish the UFC middleweight championship, but he’s not exactly mad, either.
The aftermath of UFC 217, UFC president Dana White made it clear that he expected Georges St-Pierre to defend the middleweight title after scored a stunning victory over Bisping and obligated to defend the title against then-interim champion Robert Whittaker.
Earlier this week it was announced that Georges St-Pierre would be vacating the 185-pound title he won from Michael Bisping early last month, citing an illness that would keep him out-of-action indefinitely.
Dana White spoke about GSP’s decision, saying he didn’t expect the unification with Robert Whittaker to happen — even if it was in the contract. White spoke at UFC Fight Night Fresno post-fight media scrum.
“At the end of the day, there’s a reason I put that stuff in the contract for him to sign,” White said. “There’s a reason. You know, am I shocked? I don’t think anybody’s shocked. He came out, he hand-picked Bisping then went away again. So whatever. It is what it is.”
Previously Dana White told reporters that he would be really pissed if St-Pierre didn’t defend the title against Whittaker. When asked if he would ever consider allowing the St-Pierre to return to his old division, White said that GSP doesn’t want to fight any of the top names in the weight class today.
“I thought I would be (super pissed), but I’m not. I expected it,” White said. “Listen, I had him sign a contract that said he would defend against Whittaker for a reason — because I knew he wouldn’t.
“He doesn’t want to fight anybody at welterweight. That’s why he fought Bisping,” White said. “He didn’t want to fight Woodley, he didn’t want to fight “Wonderboy” Thompson, he didn’t want to fight any of those guys. He wanted to fight Michael Bisping. He did, and now he’s off again, so – listen, I’m not shocked, I’m not mad, it is what it is.”
There are a few people who are criticizing him for not defending the belt, but in reality, GSP doesn’t owe us — or the UFC — anything.
Do you guys think he will fight at welterweight division or not at all?
