While Georges St-Pierre would take interest in legacy fights, the UFC legend appears to be leaning towards retirement.
We’re approaching the one-year anniversary of Georges St-Pierre’s dramatic return to the UFC to take the middleweight title away from Michael Bisping. Shortly after GSP’s third-round submission win, making him a two-division champion, the Canadian vacated the title as he underwent treatment for ulcerative colitis.
St-Pierre has gone the whole of 2018 without competing, and based on what he told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, it’s looking unlikely that he’ll be fighting any time soon.
“The motivation is not the same that it used to be,” St-Pierre said (via ESPN). “I don’t have the same motivation to go to the lineup again and to fight my way up to another title. I’m done with this. I’ve done it for so many years.
”You reach a point in your career where you want to do things different. That’s why this fight with (Michael) Bisping was different because it was a superfight. For me, that’s what I look for.”
GSP abdicated his welterweight title back in 2013, following a close and controversial split decision win over Johny Hendricks. He declared in his post-fight interview that he needed a break from the sport, and that stretched out over the course of four years, including a torn ACL in 2014.
St-Pierre (26-2) admits the aforementioned colitis is one of the main things holding him back from fighting again.
“The big issue for fighting for me is the symptoms of colitis. I have to get rid of my medication,” St-Pierre said. “Once I get the dose down to where I want it to be I’ll make the decision. Right now I’m not ready to sign a fight deal as we speak. Mentally, I don’t want to fight right now.”
The 37-year-old did admit that if he does return in 2019, it’d have to be against the ideal opponent. Of interest to him is lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who’s coming off a win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229.
“The thing that excites me the most is when I could be the first to do something. When something cannot be done and people doubt me,” St-Pierre said of going up against Nurmagomedov’s 27-0 record. “He’s a great champion, and in terms of legacy, I can’t think of a better fighter right now who has a better legacy than Khabib.”
St-Pierre noted that money isn’t an issue for him, and that any retirement plans would be officially announced instead of creating uncertainty.
“I’m already set,” he said. “I have different companies that I’m involved with. Different real estate as well. In terms of money, I don’t need the money. I came out (of the sport) on top, healthy and wealthy, and want to keep it this way.
”The competitor inside of me wants me to return sometime. I want to return as a competitor but I need to listen to the logic as well. It needs to be worth it.”
In case you’re wondering by the way, GSP doesn’t want to fight Nate Diaz, offering up a “hell no” when Nate was brought up.