Don’t hold your breath waiting for Georges St-Pierre.
The former UFC welterweight champion stepped away from fighting in 2013 and doesn’t sound to be in hurry to return.
The UFC climate is quite a bit different from when he left it. While he’s encouraged by a reinvigorated approach by the promotion to combat PED use, the UFC’s outfitting deal with Reebok doesn’t sound appealing to St-Pierre. Even inactive, St-Pierre still claims endorsements from marquee brands like Under Armour, none of which he’d be allowed to bring inside the Octagon.
Speaking with media Thursday in Las Vegas, St-Pierre spoke about the unique place he holds in the sport as an athlete, comfortable and bound to no one.
“I’m wealthy now,” said St-Pierre. “A few years ago, I didn’t make as much money. It was easy for people to say, ‘Oh yeah? You’re talking bad about us? Out. You’re out. We don’t hire you.’ There are a lot of guys in the same situation. They think the same things as me, but they don’t have the power I have. I don’t need to fight anymore. If I don’t want to fight, I am wealthy, I am happy. I don’t need this anymore. I don’t have to. Maybe I would like to, but I don’t need to.”
St-Pierre also spoke on the pressure for fighters not to voice complaints towards the UFC, alluding to the promotion’s controversial dismissal of beloved cutman Jacob ‘Stitch’ Duran in July.
“Some of the guys, when you’re a professional athlete, it’s not a jet set life,” said St-Pierre. “It’s a very hard life. These guys, they don’t make a lot of money. They need to keep their mouths shut. If you open [your mouth] and say what you think, you saw what happened in the Reebok thing. If you talk bad about certain things you’re kicked out.
“Some of these guys, they need the income. I understand that and I’m no different. But now I’m in a position where I can say what I think. I’m just not disrespectful. I don’t say names or anything, but this is a problem. I’m talking for a lot of people. Trust me.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Sorry, Johny. Robbie Lawler defends his welterweight title against Carlos Condit at UFC 193 in Australia.
‘The champ goes up.’ Cris Cyborg tells UFC, ‘Don’t make Ronda Rousey fight for me, make it for the fans.’
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas talks Ronda Rousey mania, UFC 190 results, previews UFC Fight Night 73 and more in this week’s live chat.
‘He was more slippery than okra.’ Rousimar Palhares rips ‘greased a–hole’ Jake Shields and denies eye gouging accusations.
Judgement day. Anderson Silva believes testing irregularities will clear him at his NAC hearing.
MEDIA STEW
Around the Octagon with Ariel Helwani.
Cris Cyborg on Sports Center.
Jose Aldo says he wasn’t impressed with Conor McGregor at UFC 189.
UFC fighters hang out with the Tennessee Titans ahead of this weekend’s Nashville card.
CM Punk with an update on his training.
We’ve reached peak Ronda.
Long watches.
UFC Fight Night Nashville Care/Don’t Care Preview
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5 Rounds Today – UFC 190 & WSOF 22 Recap
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‘You’re Welcome’ with Chael Sonnen – Jake Shields
TWEETS
Finally got it.
#LockedAndLoaded By @ufc via @RepostWhiz app: BREAKING: Hendricks vs @TWooodley added to #UFC192 in Houston TX! pic.twitter.com/oMQ4Paymli
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) August 6, 2015
Whoa.
Badass Super Saiyan Goku vs Frieza DBZ edit of #UFC190 weigh-in https://t.co/6yo0ai4Ku3
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) August 6, 2015
Cool.
Random drug test time
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) August 5, 2015
Beef.
Hey @Thebeast_ufc… How about u and I get into a fight and put on a show for the @ufc fans
— Anthony Hamilton (@AHamilton_MMA) August 5, 2015
Yo @HenryCejudo do you actually wanna fight or you just gonna talk about it. I’m ready, Sep. 5 or Oct. 3 let’s make this official! @UFC
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) August 5, 2015
Hey @BigfootSilva you have plans for ufc193? It’s in Australia and I could use another stamp on my passport… @danawhite @ufc
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) August 6, 2015
I don’t choose fighter to fight, not like blackzilian and it would be great, I would like to fight a top 10. Not you https://t.co/KERmxOQuuh
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) August 6, 2015
Yeah you’re right, it’d hurt your career to get starched again but by a top 15 guy. Rankings mean nothing. https://t.co/A3kyKiwGjm
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) August 6, 2015
More if you want to fight me,come on ATT or marks the day that I’m on Blackzilians and fought with the doors closed. https://t.co/dslDJcVRzX
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) August 6, 2015
Eat something, Mark.
Getting it
Posted by MARK HUNT on Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Questions.
Don’t refs pat down fighters&feel4grease b4 entering the cage? RT RousimarPalhares rips ‘greased a–hole’Jake Shields http://t.co/dB3sunYnYg
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) August 6, 2015
I don’t think it’s true because Jake was checked by The officials plus Palhraes didn’t once complained to the ref https://t.co/Ja14ZdYHTK
— Ray Sefo (@SugarRaySefo) August 6, 2015
Nah.
So I think I’m gunna quit fighting to become a country and western singer with my little girl. http://t.co/0orVt574HA
— Sam Alvey (@smilensam) August 6, 2015
Sixth man.
Ball is life bro. Thanks for having us out this week @DetroitPistons pic.twitter.com/WVQKc5zXFU
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) August 6, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 5 2015)
Johny Hendricks vs. Tyron Woodley at UFC 192
Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit at UFC 193
Ricardo Lamas vs. Diego Sanchez at UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Gastelum
Chris Cariaso vs. Sergio Pettis at UFC 192
Alan Jouban vs. Albert Tumenov at UFC 192
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via lt_rkm.
Cyborg closing the distance on Rousey
It’s ironic that Ronda Rousey’s background is in Judo; a sport that emphasizes sportsmanship and humility as a fundamental teaching.
Unfortunately, Ronda has turned a blind eye to those ancient traditions to instead embrace the behavior of one of America’s ugliest Americans, Dana White.
Not long ago, Rousey was flipping birds at her opponent, Meisha Tate and she had been quoted in various media around the world for referring to Cris Cyborg as an “it.”
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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