Former Two-Division Champion Georges St-Pierre Says He Could Return By End Of 2018
After a dominant run at Welterweight division with nine consecutive UFC Welterweight title defenses, St-Pierre admitted he was over it. He was physically and emotionally under pressure of being champion, had frustrations with listless drug testing in the sport and as well dealing with personal issues outside of a cage. With all those circumstances St-Pierre vacated the title and vanish from the spotlight.
Georges St-Pierre returned from four years of hiatus at UFC 217 where he submitted Michael Bisping to score the middleweight title back in November from Madison Square Garden. He becomes one of the few fighters to ever win titles in two different weight classes but then relinquish his belt citing ulcerative colitis condition caused by him putting on extra weight to compete at 185 pounds.
‘Rush’ indeed have a plan to move down to 155-pounds and compete for a title as it would benefit his overall legacy, as he always did. Recently he showed his interest in challenging the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor Mcgregor which is set to go down at UFC 229 on October 6 from Las Vegas. (Via MMAFighting)
“I would be interested in that fight,” GSP said. “That’s a win-win situation. It’s a legacy upgrade and it’s good money — it’s gonna be a big fight. Yeah. However, I fought at 170, I relinquished a title. I fought at 185, I relinquished a title. I don’t think UFC will let me fight for the title at 155. They will be afraid I relinquish and I left the division in ruins.
“From my perspective, it’s a very winning situation. For UFC, it’s a big risk for them. Like I said, I’m older. I know Khabib, I’ve met Khabib many times. Khabib is actually bigger than me. He’s a bigger guy.”
St-Pierre, a longtime former welterweight champion then he moved up to compete at 185-pounds, he never fought at 155-pounds, to that GSP said he could do it if needed.
“I’m older. 155 — Khabib, I’ve met him, he’s actually bigger than me when he’s (in) off season. He’s a big guy,” he said. “In terms of size, he walks around 195. Right now, I’m less than 185. I’m 183. I’ve always been like that, my natural weight.
“155, I think I could make it. I’ve never tried it, I’m not a fan of a big weight cut, but are they going to let me do that? I don’t know,” he said. “We’ll see.”
Earlier this year, UFC president Dana White announced his plans of booking a lightweight showdown between Georges St-Pierre and Nate Diaz. But St-Pierre turned down the opportunity
“Nate Diaz’s legacy is not really an improvement for me, because people, they see me as a winner already,” GSP said. “And if I win, they will say I look like a bully a little bit, because I beat his older brother. In terms of money, it’s gonna be big money, because Nate Diaz is a big name. I need to find guys that can help me improve legacy. Money as well. I’m at a point in my career now that I only have a few fights left if I decide to come back.”
‘Rush’ also discussed the possibility of returning to UFC Octagon by the end of this year. Couple end of year cards doesn’t have the main event yet so it could fit him well, UFC 230 is scheduled for Nov. 3 at MSG, while UFC 231 will be in Toronto on Dec. 8.
“November? Yeah,” GSP said when asked about the possibility. “There’s also Toronto in December. The thing is, what excites me is what can I have to improve my legacy? What can I do to improve my legacy? That’s number one. And also the money. But legacy number one, the money is there.”
GSP said if he would still take a fight at 170-pound for his legacy if promotion hesitant at his offer to compete at the 155-pound division.
