Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre seemed destined to return this year. After vacating the title in 2013, ‘GSP’ remained inactive, citing personal issues and the problems with the lack of drug testing. St-Pierre’s departure was met with shock from the fans, and with outrage from UFC president Dana White. The promotion reportedly had St-Pierre’s belt taken from his locker room and denied him access to the post-fight presser. ‘Rush’ then showed up half way through the conference before discussions with White and Lorenzo Fertitta ensued.
That was the last we’d see of ‘GSP’ during a UFC broadcast. Teasing a comeback frequently during his hiatus, it seemed 2016 would finally be the year of the former champ’s big return. With UFC 206 coming up in St-Pierre’s backyard, the stars appeared to be aligning. ‘Rush’ had expressed interest in fighting both middleweight champion Michael Bisping and his old foe Nick Diaz. All signs were pointing to a big return for ‘GSP’ in 2016, until things just fell apart, quite simply.
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Dana White In No Rush
Announcing free agency this past week, ‘GSP’ claimed negotiations with the UFC had broken down. Apparently the controversial Reebok apparel deal was too much of a sticking point, and the Canadian’s lawyer had got the former champion out of his contract. The UFC disputed these claims, stating St-Pierre was indeed still under contract. Dana White once again said ‘Rush’ did not want to fight, to which the all-time great responded by saying only he knew what he wanted. With Rory MacDonald jumping ship to Bellator in 2016 too, sects of fans in Canada have banded together for a boycott of UFC 206.
The UFC enjoys healthy attendances when visiting Canada. The last time the promotion put on a show in Toronto, UFC 165, they scored a 15,000 strong crowd for Jones vs. Gustafsson. Taking to Twitter to voice their displeasure, Canadian fans of Georges St-Pierre have started a ‘Free GSP’ campaign, with the aim of boycotting UFC 206 if the promotion doesn’t release St-Pierre:
#FreeGSP
HELLO, CANADA AND GSP FANS AROUND THE WORLD!
Join us in supporting a true legend of the sport we all love.#BOYCOTTUFC206 #FREEGSP pic.twitter.com/qQGBoZockV— @MMAG33K (@MMAG33K) October 18, 2016
Never missed a @ufc event in #Toronto. Not paying a penny out if principle. #GSP #BOYCOTT206 @danawhite @MMAFighting @MMAjunkie @tsn
— Kenny Clayton (@kenny_ac) October 18, 2016
GSP doesn't deserve this since he's done so much for MMA-do what's right for the fans @danawhite @ufc #BoycottUFC206 #FreeGSP @Firas_Zahabi
— Chris Ralph (@ChrisRalphNL) October 24, 2016
UFC lost Rory and GSP in a span of months, Canadians should protest and boycott UFC 206
— GazarÃn (@ahmedgazarin) October 18, 2016
@tsn the @ufc treatment of @GeorgesStPierre is disgusting #boycott206 #boycottufc @MMAjunkie @MMAFighting
— MMA LOADED (@MMALoaded) October 18, 2016
@MohawkJimmy @ufc @UFCTonight with No GSP @ UFC 206… its time to boycott ufc 206. #UFC206 #BoycottUFC206
— James J Raynor (@JamesJRaynor) October 17, 2016
@FrontRowBrian they seem to forget the Canadian fanbase kept them going for a good portion of GSP'S run im #BOYCOTT206 #UFC206
— Jayson (@1983jayson) October 23, 2016
The post Fans Threaten To Boycott UFC 206 In Backlash Over GSP appeared first on LowKick MMA.