GSP not focused on title, wants a fight that will 'elevate' him
The UFC's longest reigning welterweight champion wants to return to peak form, even if that means not fighting for a title.
Georges St-Pierre recently entered the four-month USADA testing cycle in an attempt to supposedly return to active competition. After a three-year hiatus from the sport, the decorated vet seems set on a return, but his comeback bout doesn't have to involve the division strap.
"Yeah, I had the belt for a long time, but it doesn’t matter if it’s for the belt or not. I want a fight that’s going to elevate myself," St-Pierre told Uproxx's Jason Nawara. "There are fights that will help elevate me and there are fights that does not. For example, some people challenge me to a fight and I would not accept it."
Two names have been attached to St-Pierre's return, welterweight champ Tyron Woodley, and former foe Nick Diaz.
Woodley called out GSP minutes after dethroning Robbie Lawler at UFC 201. The Quebec native has reciprocated the interest because of both Woodley's newfound status and his respectful courtship.
"What happened is that, he texted me and I don’t know him very well, but he texted me and he explained that he challenged me and he wanted to do it because he wanted to fight the best. He didn’t want me to take anything as disrespect, and I didn’t take it as disrespect. He’s a competitor and I said, 'If you want to do it, let’s do it. I’m ready to fight you.'
"Fighting Tyron Woodley would elevate myself because he’s the champion now and if I win, it would elevate me and make my situation better. I have to consider the risks in fighting him, but yeah, a win would elevate me."
As for Diaz, who St-Pierre convincingly bested in their title match at UFC 158, GSP would gladly grant him a rematch.
Diaz, recently eligible to return to competition after an 18-month suspension for marijuana, has been vocal about how their bout was managed, specifically concerning the pre-fight drug test and weigh-ins. St-Pierre thinks a rematch would silence Diaz once and for all.
"Same thing with Nick Diaz - a win would elevate me. Even though I beat him already, I feel like I didn’t beat him the way I should’ve and then he came back with a bunch of excuses about why he lost the fight. So, if you wanna do it again, no problem!"
Assuming St-Pierre makes it through the USADA's protocol unscathed, he still has to hammer out a deal with the UFC. He can return to active competition as early as December.
- With h/t to FOX Sports