Despite Georges St-Pierre's UFC 196 visit, White still unsure he wants to fight

LAS VEGAS – Don’t make anything of Georges St-Pierre’s attendance at UFC 196, said UFC President Dana White after the ex-UFC welterweight champ was spotted cageside at Saturday’s pay-per-view event.

“Trust me, that was a coincidence,” White told MMAjunkie at the post-event news conference, dismissing the idea that St-Pierre’s presence might be related to the outcome of a welterweight headliner between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz.

McGregor, of course, had been talking up a title shot against champ Robbie Lawler. The checks written for a fight with St-Pierre, however, would undoubtedly have the Irish featherweight champ’s interest. The Quebecois champ was a top draw when he was active, and McGregor (19-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC), ever the fan of bank withdrawals, covets any chance to make them.

But that was before he was submitted by Diaz (19-10 MMA, 14-8 UFC) in the second round at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena – and anyway, White said the UFC didn’t have anything up its sleeve.

“There was no plan,” he said. “Some other people were asking tonight whether (McGregor) was going to call out Georges, and that was never a plan.”

While the UFC executive will admit the promotion is in regular communication with St-Pierre (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC), he indicated his position on the ex-champ’s return remains the same, which is to say he’s uncertain.

Three years after the long-reigning welterweight star walked away from the sport, White said he’s not sure whether a comeback is ever going to happen. While there have been plenty of rumors to indicate otherwise, he isn’t willing to sign off on them.

“It’s still a rumor,” White said. “Georges just wanted to come to the fight tonight. Have we been talking to Georges? Yes we have. But who knows. I honestly, right here, right now, don’t know if Georges still wants to fight.”

St-Pierre didn’t attend the press conference to answer that question, so back to the rumor mill MMA fans will likely go. Backstage during UFC 196, he told UFC.com that he is still training, though not for a fight. While he said he keeps tabs on the UFC welterweight division, it’s as a spectator, not as an active participant.

St-Pierre said he was in town for UFC 196 because he had some friends that were in town for the event, and he decided to come even when McGregor’s scheduled fight with UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos was nixed in favor of a welterweight meeting with Diaz.

It certainly didn’t sound like St-Pierre was chomping at the bit to get back in the cage. But as long as he keeps showing up, White will probably have to explain.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.