Georges St-Pierre has reaffirmed his intention to make a full return to MMA and has hit back at suggestions from UFC President Dana White that he doesn’t have the desire to fight.
The 35-year-old has been out of action since a controversial split-decision win over Johny Hendricks in November 2013. However, speaking with UFC Tonight, the former welterweight champion made it crystal clear he’s ready to get back in the Octagon again:
GSP: "I want to come back. They [the UFC] know my terms I want. Trust me, I'm very reasonable so it's up to them."
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) September 1, 2016
GSP: I needed some time out of the spotlight. In training I know that I'm a much better version than I was before.
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) September 1, 2016
While some competitors come back to the sport for sporadic outings, the Canadian was adamant this wouldn’t be a short-term venutre:
GSP says he doesn't want his comeback to be a one-off, he wants to make a full fledged run in the UFC.
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) September 1, 2016
Rumours have lingered for a long time about a potential comeback for St-Pierre, and there’d be a genuine excitement accompanying the return of an icon of the sport.
The division has changed a lot since St-Pierre vacated the title in 2013, following his ninth successful defence, with Tyron Woodley the titleholder after his brilliant win over Robbie Lawler at UFC 201.
On UFC Tonight, the former champion made it clear he’d be keen to go up against Woodley, although he admitted there are other opponents he’d consider facing:
GSP on who he wants to fight: "Tyron Woodley, Nick Diaz and Demian Maia. These guys can elevate me."
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) September 1, 2016
A return can only happen once the UFC sanctions it, and there have been questions from the top about how serious St-Pierre is about getting back in the Octagon. White told The Herd (h/t Damon Martin of Fox Sports) the fighter “doesn't have that drive and that desire that he once had.”
White went on to suggest that without that determination, you shouldn’t fight. However, the welterweight legend said the UFC boss’ opinion is well wide of the mark, arguing “he doesn't know anything about me” on UFC Tonight (h/t Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting): St-Pierre continued:
Let me fight [Woodley], then we'll see if I want to be world champion again. I understand what he means, and I'm not angry at Dana. He does what he does for the best of his interests. I do what I do for the best of my interests.
One day when all of that is going to be over, we'll probably be friends, like most of the guys who I've fought. But now, it's like a game. He's doing his game, I'm doing mine.
It’d be fascinating to see how St-Pierre would fare should he return, and while there seems to be some kidology at play between the fighter and president, it’d be a huge surprise for the Canadian not to get his wish.
There’s certainly a gap to fill in the welterweight division after Rory MacDonald departed the UFC for Bellator recently. However, as noted by MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, there are a lot of fighters in the 170-pound class pushing for a shot at the title even without St-Pierre in the picture:
170 is a shark tank. Wonderboy and Maia are on fire right now. Maia needs a title shot after that. Not sure when but hard to deny him now.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 28, 2016
The issue is timing. Wonderboy has earned one. GSP warrants one. Now Maia. Fun times for the new champ, Woodley. No gimmes.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 28, 2016
After almost three years out of action, many would reason the former champion needs to work his way back up to the top of one of the strongest divisions in the UFC. However, having previously held the strap for a month shy of six years, St-Pierre carries the clout to quickly force his way back into contention.
A return may be a way off yet, with White evidently still unsure about the Canadian’s attitude. But St-Pierre's quotes seem to suggest he is ready to get back to the grind; given his prestige and profile in the sport, that’ll surely culminate in him stepping foot in the Octagon again.
