UFC legend Georges St-Pierre has revealed the deal between the UFC and Reebok could prove to be an obstacle that prevents him from ever making a return to the Octagon.
St-Pierre stepped away from the sport prior to Reebok's agreement with the UFC and, speaking with The MMA Hour (h/t Adam Gullen Jr. of MMA Mania), GSP stated:
Look, I don't know the Reebok deal. My contract is different. I'm lucky, I have a great team of management behind me. I cannot comment on that because of sponsor issues and things like that. My contract is different than most people. …
It could stop maybe UFC from having me come back.
St-Pierre, who last fought under the UFC banner in November 2013, is rumoured to be closing in on a return to action. Iconic trainer Freddie Roach told FightHubTV (h/t Adrian MacNair of MMA Mania) in November the former welterweight champion would take part in a six-week training camp before making a decision.
The former champion cited UFC President Dana White—who claimed St-Pierre should give Johny Hendricks a rematch after a split-decision win in his last fight—as one of the reasons why he walked away from the brand, per the You’re Welcome podcast (h/t Lewis McKeever of Bloody Elbow).
White said recently he doubts GSP will return, insinuating he has been out of action for too long, per the Los Angeles Times (via Tim Burke of Bloody Elbow).
St-Pierre established himself as one of the finest MMA fighters in the sport's history during his career in the UFC, before deciding to vacate his title and take some time off in late 2013 after the controversial win over Hendricks.
After beating Matt Serra and winning the UFC welterweight title in 2008, he went on to defend the belt another nine times, getting the better of illustrious names such as B.J. Penn, Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz. St-Pierre’s last defeat came against Serra in 2007, in what was just one of two career losses, having won 25.
The current champion in the welterweight class is Robbie Lawler, who defended the crown last at UFC 189 in one of the finest fights in UFC history against Rory MacDonald. It was the kind of slugfest fans may not have been treated to had St-Pierre still been at the top of the division, given his cautious but clinical fighting style.
MMA journalist Adam Martin thinks the reigning champion has the attributes to test the Canadian should they ever square off in the future:
I want to see GSP come back, but I feel like Robbie Lawler is a horrible matchup for him. If Condit wins that'd be a better matchup for GSP.
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) November 19, 2015
While there are some who have been critical of the Canadian’s style in the past, with many feeling as though he could have done more to conjure spectacular finishes, he’d be an asset to the brand if he were to come back. It may not have always been exciting, but St-Pierre’s craft inside the Octagon, whether outworking, outwrestling or outboxing an opponent, was always a sight to behold.
The welterweight division has produced some exciting showdowns of late and is in fine shape without the former champion. However, Lawler potentially going up against someone of St-Pierre’s class would be a fight fans would love to see, meaning many will be hoping obstacles can be overcome and he makes an overdue return.
