UFC President Dana White is beginning to believe former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre will never return to the Octagon.
Speaking on Fox Sports' Jay & Dan Podcast, White didn't totally discredit the chances of the legendary Canadian returning, but he provided a pessimistic outlook when the topic arose.
"I offered him a fight in Montreal, and he said 'I'm not ready yet,'" White said about GSP (h/t Fox Sports' Damon Martin for the transcription). "I'm on the fence, I'm leaning toward he's not coming back these days."
GSP famously took an indefinite hiatus from the sport in December 2013, directly after edging out a razor-thin decision victory over Johny "Bigg Rigg" Hendricks at UFC 167.
Since that time, White said on the Jay & Dan Podcast, GSP has been living a fun, entertaining life. He's been at basketball games, concerts and other social events, and White is not sure he still possesses the hunger to return to fighting.
"He's got a lot of money, he's young, he's got a lot of other options and he's going out on top," White said.
If that's the case, I say good on you, Mr. St-Pierre.
Georges St. Pierre is probably the smartest man in MMA.
— JustBleedMMA (@JustBleedMMA) March 26, 2015
You made your money. You left your legacy. You went out as undoubtedly the best welterweight the sport has ever seen, and you're unquestionably one of the top three fighters who has never been caught using steroids, and that's downright incredible.
You've said you suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder, and it showed in your perfectionist fighting style.
Now, enjoy your life. You're 33 years old, and the 170-pound division isn't getting any weaker. Use the likes of Chuck Liddell and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua as lessons in what happens when you hang on a bit too long, and avoid their fate.
Prove White's inclination correct and ride away from the Octagon—forever. You've spent a lifetime growing and nurturing the fruits of your labor.
Go harvest them.
