A rematch between UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and recent hard-luck challenger Johny Hendricks may not be as much of a lock as initially thought.
In the aftermath of St-Pierre’s controversial split decision win, St-Pierre announced intentions to take some time off from the sport of mixed martial arts. Now according to his manager, Rodolphe Beaulieu, it’s “possible” UFC 167 may prove to have been the last fight of St-Pierre’s career, according to a report from Ariel Helwani on Wednesday’s UFC Tonight.
Beaulieu added that St-Pierre feels like he defeated Hendricks, and what St-Pierre stated inside the Octagon on Saturday night still stands, despite his battered state.
“I’m going to have a talk with the guys and see what’s going to happen. The UFC has always been there for me, they always support me, I would never turn my back on UFC, never, ever,” St-Pierre said after defending his title for the ninth straight time.
“I understand from the point of view for the UFC, it is bad for them if I leave like this. I need to make a point, man. I need to get out for a while. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Beaulieu expects to sit down with St-Pierre and discuss what’s next in the coming weeks.
Following UFC 167’s press conference, UFC President Dana White appeared bullish on the idea of staging an immediate rematch between St-Pierre and Hendricks.
“[St-Pierre] wants to fight,” White said. “This isn’t about fighting or retiring. It was a personal problem that has him very, very upset right now, and I’m very confident he’s going to work it out.”
In the meantime, St-Pierre appears to be injury-free for the most part. A CT scan underwent by the welterweight champ came back clear, as did an x-ray on his foot, which St-Pierre initially believed to be injured.