Following a couple of fight camps back-to-back, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre was looking for some much-needed time off. But now it seems he is starting to target a return date to the Octagon.
St-Pierre last fought in March, when he won a unanimous decision over longtime rival Nick Diaz at UFC 158. Following that win, St-Pierre advised the UFC that he was taking a vacation after two fights in a five-month span.
During his down time, St-Pierre managed to film a small part in the upcoming Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie while enjoying some time at home with no focus on a fight date. However, on Tuesday night’s edition of UFC Tonight, it was reported that St-Pierre is starting to look at the calendar again with a fall date in mind for his return to action.
According to the report, sources indicated that St-Pierre is looking at a possible October date for his next fight, which also matches some information released from UFC president Dana White earlier in the day as well.
Speaking to Sportsnet in Canada, White said he expects St-Pierre to fight next in October against top-rated contender Johny Hendricks. It is noteworthy that Hendricks still hasn’t been informed in any way when he could be facing St-Pierre.He remains on the sidelines, waiting for his shot at the belt.
“It’s looking like it,” Hendricks responded when asked on UFC Tonight if St-Pierre is scared of him. “Just give me a date. Time, place, that’s all I care about.”
UFC Tonight analyst Kenny Florian agreed with that assessment. As a member of St-Pierre’s team for some time, he knows that fear fuels the champion to work that much harder in the gym. He knows how dangerous a fighter like Hendricks can be.
Florian then interjected an interesting opinion about why St-Pierre isn’t exactly racing to sign a contract to face Hendricks in the Octagon.
“I’m not sure he’s going to fight Johny Hendricks,” Florian said about the potential fight. “Because I think he’s waiting to see what’s going to happen with the whole Chris Weidman/Anderson Silva fight.”
Florian’s theory could hold some weight. It’s no secret the UFC has been trying to put together a fight between St-Pierre and Silva for many years, but the bout has never come together. With the UFC’s 20th anniversary show coming up in November, the promotion could end up placing St-Pierre in the main event against Silva should he get past Weidman on July 6 at UFC 162.
It will be interested to see how this plays out if an actual date and location for St-Pierre vs. Hendricks comes out before the events of UFC 162 happen. If not, and Silva is victorious in his title defense, the UFC could very easily plot a course to put together a superfight for the ages between two of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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