Georges St-Pierre is a shoo-in UFC Hall of Famer once he decides to hang up the gloves, but that time may be sooner than we think according to Firas Zahabi, “Rush’s” head coach at Tristar gym.
Speaking with Sherdog Radio Network’s “Cheap Seats” show, Zahabi indicated that due to the nature of GSP’s intense training camps, he might only have two or three fights left in him:
…His training camps are not sustainable forever. His training camps are very difficult. I’ve done a lot of training camps. I could tell you the energy, time and money and hours spent doing a GSP training camp is ridiculous. It’s borderline insane. There’s a lot of effort going into preparing him for his fights. Can he live this lifestyle for another four or five years? I don’t know.
For the time being, it looks like St-Pierre’s upcoming title defense with Johny Hendricks is not in jeopardy, despite the fact the champ has a minor injury and an upcoming role in a major Marvel film.
GSP currently has the record for the most UFC title defenses at welterweight with eight, but according to Zahabi, his record may not go far beyond that:
Does he want to go through another training camp? Right now at this time, yes, for sure. There’s no doubt in my mind he wants to do another one, but down the line, two or three more training camps, is he still going to want to do it? That’s up to him. Does he still have the fire and the passion? We’ll see.
St-Pierre currently boasts a pro MMA record of 24-2, avenging his only two losses to Matt Serra and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes (twice).
The 31-year-old has beaten a laundry list of top welterweights since recapturing UFC gold about five years ago, defeating the likes of Jon Fitch, BJ Penn, Jake Shields, Carlos Condit and most recently, Nick Diaz.
If GSP does decide to retire between late 2014 and early 2015, Zahabi says it won’t be for a lack of contenders at 170 pounds.
Aside from Hendricks, the famed coach believes Jake Ellenberger, Demian Maia and even Robbie Lawler could be future title contenders in the division.
Could the time fight fans see GSP leave the cage in favor of a full-time acting career be rapidly approaching?
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