- Georges St-Pierre revealed that the UFC wants him to take on Nick Diaz in the grappling event in December
- GSP said he will return to MMA
- Michael Bisping may also be available to compete in the grappling event
Georges St-Pierre is making his combat sports comeback and is likely to face fellow UFC legend Nick Diaz in an upcoming grappling event hosted by the UFC on December 9th. GSP is excited about the event that he even invited his former UFC rival Michael Bisping to compete on the same card.
It’s Nick, not Khabib
Speaking to Bisping in an exclusive interview, “Rush” said that his team and the UFC are gearing toward a grappling match with Diaz. There was some buzz about Khabib Nurmagomedov but St-Pierre said it was just because of the hype of their dream match that never came to fruition.
“I got some name now that came out and apparently most of the fans, the UFC they really want, they would like me to grapple against Nick Diaz,” St-Pierre revealed. “That’s the name that comes back the more often.”
“No [not Khabib], I think it was just the fans that were excited about it because the fight never happened but no I mean I think he’s retired, Khabib, and yeah, the number one choice for UFC was Nick Diaz,” he continued.
“My agent talked to the UFC today, this is real fresh news, breaking news, [he] told me that Nick was interesting apparently, but Nick is still under contract with the UFC so he still have another fight apparently in his contract,” he added. “… There will be other big names in the grappling world like Gordon Ryan… and some other guys.”
GSP will never return to MMA
St-Pierre is a three-time UFC welterweight champion and a one-time middleweight champion. He is widely regarded as the greatest welterweight fighter in the world and many are still thrilled about his possible MMA return. However, GSP admitted that at 42, he’s no longer in his prime and competing in MMA is not his priority anymore.
“I miss the adrenaline of competition but I wouldn’t go back in mixed martial art you know, the risks are too big and I have no illusion, I’m 42 years old probably I’m past my physical prime,” St-Pierre confided. “However, I still like the adrenaline of competition and I think the best way to do it is in grappling. The risks are to a minimum in a way that you know if something happened, you just tap and there’s no brain damage because there’s no strike.”
Bisping could be added in the Card
St-Pierre beat Bisping in their middleweight title fight at UFC 217. Since then, the two have been good friends and now, GSP wants “The Count” to take part in the upcoming grappling event as well.
For St-Pierre, it would be great if Bisping takes on Anderson Silva in the event.
“You should do it, you’re still in good shape why don’t you come train with us in Austin, Texas,” St-Pierre told Bisping. “We should train together and maybe you’ll be on the card with me competing December 9. Maybe you could take on Anderson Silva I would love to see it and I think it would be a formidable opponent for you I think it will be a great matchup that the fans will be pleased to watch.”
On the other hand, Bisping seemed thrilled by the idea and later hinted that he might be able to do so.
“I’m super busy with UFC stuff and a bunch of other stuff I’ve got going on but December might work,” Bisping replied. “Because I know initially you were going to do September right? Or something like that, I didn’t have time for that but December, December I could make. I think I could fit that into my diary.”
St-Pierre has yet to reveal the possible location of the UFC Fight Pass Invitational grappling event but he noted that it would take place in a huge stadium. More updates about the event are expected to be announced soon.
