Famed boxing trainer Freddie Roach has now joined the passive aggressive back and forth between UFC president Dana White and former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Admitting he’s a bit upset over his perception of how St-Pierre has been treated by White since his bout with Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 back in November, Roach reveals some ideas as to why St-Pierre chose to take time away from fighting and how long he may be gone.
“Well, [St-Pierre] told me he wanted to take two years off and I told him, ‘Two years is retirement,'” says Roach. “‘Lets stick with one year for now, see how you feel after a year and if you feel hungry enough to get back in there we’ll do it. If not, we’ll call it a day.’ Georges is a great guy and I just want him to make the right decision at the right time and not be too hasty.
“He was telling me he had headaches and so forth. When I hear that I want to get him checked out completely. I told Georges to see his doctors and make sure everything is 100% and healthy before he makes a decision. It’s really easy to make a decision after a tough fight like that and after Dana talking really bad about him. You get him depressed a little bit and drag him down, instead of most promoters who would try to build you back up, but Dana’s not that kind of cat.”
Appearing on Wednesday night’s edition of FOX Sports Live, White responded to Roach’s comments, saying he believes St-Pierre’s recent statements have more to do with personal resentments than anything else.
“The crazy stuff I keep hearing back from Georges St-Pierre is unbelievable. No, Georges St-Pierre never complained to us about headaches. Georges St-Pierre has never publicly said the real reasons why he stepped away from the UFC for a year. When he sat down with Lorenzo [Fertitta] and I it was a whole different set of issues, personal problems. It had nothing to do with headaches or drug testing or anything else that’s been said.
“Not only did he tell us it was personal issues, he told us what the personal issues were. I have no idea [why he keeps complaining]. I don’t know if he’s just trying to draw a smokescreen to what he’s really dealing with and doesn’t want to publicly talk about [it]? I don’t know.”
Once again, White says he believes St-Pierre is still upset about comments he made post-fight at UFC 167, hot under the collar following St-Pierre’s impromptu quasi retirement speech with commentator Joe Rogan just minutes before.
“When Georges St-Pierre fought I called it like I saw it. I didn’t think he won the fight. I thought Johny Hendricks won the fight. That’s my opinion as the president of the company and as a fight fan. What Georges St-Pierre told us in private I would never repeat. He can get as kooky as he wants to get and say whatever he wants to say, but I would never repeat what he told us.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Aldo will get paid. Dana White clears up some of Jose Aldo’s concerns about vacating his UFC featherweight title, saying he’ll be compensated as if he were still a champion.
Green Power Ranger vs. CM Punk. Part-time MMA fighter Jason David Frank says he wants to fight the professional wrestler in World Series of Fighting.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas covers UFC 169, Jose Aldo’s tenure, UFC on FOX 11’s lineup, Pat Barry signing with GLORY, Vitor Belfort and more in this week’s live chat.
Going to 205. Chris Weidman says he still has plenty of challenges at middleweight, but would have no problem fighting at 205 pounds for the right opportunities.
Team Alistair. Anthony Johnson says Alistair Overeem was never a true teammate of the Blackzilians.
MEDIA STEW
Jon Jones leg kicking some poor man.
Joanne Calderwood on the UK’s Beyond The Octagon.
News and other headlines.
Michael Bisping talks getting cleared and fighting Tim Kennedy.
A look at some of Gina Carano’s recent stuntwork.
And then, some individual saw fit to capture her lingerie scenes and slow them down, as if to draw them out. Disgusting. (NSFW, probably?)
Luke commentating an actual Green Power Ranger fight.
Long watches.
Knuckle Up #432: Offers the most accurate take on MMA’s SuperBowl in UFC 169
Fight News Now – Weidman: “I Wanna Clear Out 185”, Aldo vs. Pettis, GSP vs. Captain America & More
TWEETS
That’s gonna be a problem as the co-main at UFC 173 … in Vegas.
@wandfc Hey Stupid, I decide where we fight and your hometown, Las Vegas, is OUT. Stay tuned for details.
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) February 6, 2014
I hope this never ends.
One of The Best body in the history,result from long health life and of corse train a lot!! Estamos… http://t.co/HFLlE8ZPUV
— Wanderlei Silva (@wandfc) February 5, 2014
Encouraging.
Thnx to all 4 the support through my adversities n the last month-I’m still climbing the mountains-n I’m on my way.. pic.twitter.com/SsD4DwcBRV
— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) February 6, 2014
Eye’s statement.
Hey thanks for patients here is my statement as well as #UFC about my current situation http://t.co/rRF1ZlcXgv
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) February 6, 2014
Not too bad.
So a lot of people have been asking for a pic of my leg, so here ya go ya vultures!!!! Haha! Sorry… http://t.co/mPzDHM8WU8
— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) February 5, 2014
Fun.
Taking body shots from @gfc_diamond after bjj with @renergracie and @ellenbergermma tonight http://t.co/bFsRKAppGD
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 5, 2014
About time.
Finally booked and ready to fight! @dethrone pic.twitter.com/gMEjEpRdpE
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 5, 2014
Hendricks with a man of exceptional size.
Check out my cameo on the upcoming Wing-Men show! http://t.co/IjT8Eq7jMy
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) February 5, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Feb. 5 2014)
cancelled Thiago Tavares vs Zubair Tuhugov at UFC Fight Night 36
Mike Corey vs. Shane Kruchten at WSOF 9
Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Johnny Nunez at WSOF 9
Rafael Silva out, Eduardo Dantas vs. Anthony Leone at Bellator 111
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via MrBrutality.
Let’s Talk About These Caucasian Highlanders
With the recent success of the athletes getting signed from south Russia, follow Mr.Brutality into their homeland:
As we are all now well aware, the ‘Russian Invasion’ has occurred within the UFC, with new Russian prospects already representing an astonishing win percentage in the UFC since January of 2012. However, the term ‘Russian Invasion’ is mis-leading – it would be more accurate to refer to this group as the ‘Caucasian Invasion’.
While the term ‘Caucasian’ is often incorrectly used in North America to describe to anyone who is white, these men are true Caucasians – they are highlanders who hail from the Caucasus mountains in Southwestern Russia. So while they are technically Russians and subject to the Russian government, they truly do not represent the culture of Mother Russia.
In regards to MMA, we are looking at two of the republics in the mountains: Chechnya and Dagestan. We have seen political unrest in this zone on our news channels, particularly about Chechnya, but we are now also witnessing the martial arts skills and aggressive fighting instincts of their native athletes.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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