Last week, UFC president Dana White said he was doubtful former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre would make a return to fighting. White said St-Pierre was busy out enjoying his success and that he’d ‘lost the hunger’ to compete inside the Octagon.
“Dana always does what’s good for the business side,” St-Pierre told the Winnipeg Sun. “I was never angry at him. On the contrary, he had a good reason to say that to come back, you have to be hungry.”
St-Pierre might not be training for a fight, but he’s certainly kept in shape. While White mentioned last week that the former champ was enjoying NBA games and concerts, he didn’t mention St-Pierre’s constant travel from one world-class gym to the next.
Aside from working out at his homebase at Montreal’s Tristar gym, St-Pierre has boxed at Freddie Roach’s Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles, rolled with Roger Gracie and Braulio Estima in London and dropped into various MMA gyms, including Gilbert Melendez‘ El Nino Training Center in San Francisco.
“[White] says he’s sure I won’t come back, that’s his opinion,” said St-Pierre. “I train, I keep myself in shape. I have marks on my body because my body bruises easily and I’m training hard.
“It doesn’t mean I’m coming back, but it doesn’t mean I’m not coming back. I’m thinking about it.”
St-Pierre still sounds hung up on the UFC’s protocol for increased drug testing.
The UFC will administer mandatory, enhanced out-of-competition drug testing to main event and championship fighters on all cards beginning July 1.
“So far, there’s been some nice words, but nothing’s been done,” St-Pierre said. “As long as they do nothing, I for sure won’t come back.”
Even more than competing, St-Pierre says he’d rather see his protege Rory MacDonald carry the torch.
MacDonald challenges welterweight champion Robbie Lawler Jul. 11 at UFC 189. The pair previously fought in 2013 at UFC 167 with Lawler earning a split decision.
“What would give me the most pleasure is to see Rory take the title,” St-Pierre said. “I feel like I would have accomplished something new. My duty is to help him up. Right now, I am where I am, and if it had to end, I ended at the top. I ever want to go back, I’d snap my fingers and it wouldn’t be too hard to get back in fighting form.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
One off. According to her agent, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey doesn’t have any plan in place to make future appearances for the WWE.
‘I’d like a couple more.’ Dan Hardy says he’d like to return for two more UFC fights, hopefully against Josh Koscheck or Diego Sanchez.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses the Jose Aldo–Conor McGregor UFC 189 world tour, previews Chad Mendes vs. Ricardo Lamas and more in this week’s live chat.
Rampage vs. Bellator. Luke Thomas breaks down the legal drama surrounding Quinton Jackson and his former employer.
Horsewoman. Ronda Rousey’s friend and training partner Marina Shafir has signed with Invicta FC to fight at featherweight.
MEDIA STEW
World tour embedded episode 10.
Inside the Octagon with Ariel Helwani.
Jose Aldo talks Chad Mendes vs. Ricardo Lamas.
Rousey talking about protecting the cash register.
Daniel Cormier losing his s**t.
Luke Rockhold was a real April Fools victim.
Long watches.
UFC Fight Night Mendes vs. Lamas Care/Don’t Care Preview
…
TWEETS
It’s over.
After a incredible long tour it was time to go home, but unfortunately i missed my flight and a day of training,and at this time everybody is already home in a meantime only my trainer @alexchadudofficial e my friend @rafacorassa without him i was still sitting on the floor at the airport, i got very sad with all of this, but i’m still and always be the champ!!! “I’m the greatest”
Depois de uma incrível longa turnê era hora de ir para casa mas infelizmente perdi meu voo e um dia… https://t.co/4PdTUjUYEE
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) April 1, 2015
July 11th. #TheMcGregorEra pic.twitter.com/vNkW483jB5
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 1, 2015
Poor Bader.
Ok so I guess old @ryanbader has lost his damn mind. Ryan u aren’t gonna do anything to me. I’m beating that ass!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 1, 2015
Ryan I would spank that even faster next time
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 1, 2015
Movies.
My little pumpkin grew up @RondaRousey heading out to #Fast7 premiere pic.twitter.com/uffScRBw7A
— DrAnnMaria (@DrAnnMaria) April 2, 2015
With my beautiful pregnant wife at the #fastandfurious7 premier. #Furious7LIVE pic.twitter.com/0GrfP0Tkd4
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) April 2, 2015
Nice.
@cainmma and I warming up getting our Machida shimmy on today lol https://t.co/tG34JxjShK
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) April 1, 2015
Get well soon.
I’ve had this view far too many times.Tho I’m getting healthier by the day! I had a Solid pt session… https://t.co/JKxQrbjIxY
— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) April 1, 2015
Congrats.
I want to introduce you to my son Rollo Michael Kennedy. Perfectly healthy in every way. 9lbs 21″ pic.twitter.com/1LTWmY6HK6
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) April 1, 2015
Apparently not a joke.
Serious talks are underway with @ScottCoker to make my #MMA debut in @BellatorMMA
— , (@Tyson_Fury) April 1, 2015
April Fools is the worst.
Well so much for retirement I just got the call from my manager. I will be fighting in the UFC Chicago show. Co… http://t.co/TTmU6NOeCW
— Tim Sylvia (@timsylviamma) April 1, 2015
@jessicaevileye bc I got injured, I cant take the fight, sorry Jess I was super excited about it. Maybe a later date
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) April 1, 2015
Looks like I broke my wrist watching volleyball this morning @ufc @CariChampion pic.twitter.com/Fr6PfVglp9
— THE BLACK BEAST (@Thebeast_ufc) April 1, 2015
Ouch. Look what I did to my toe. https://t.co/3WfkA69yl8
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) April 1, 2015
So happy with the work i had done in Mexico! Natural looking but still a dramatic change #nomoreittybittytitties pic.twitter.com/SRpSrKVgDX
— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) April 2, 2015
got ok 2 release who I’m fightin…n it’s for the title!!! June 31 against joanna jedrezjczyk!!! #ufc #imthechampnow pic.twitter.com/X8C6PcrCZo
— Angela Magana UFC (@AngelaMagana1) April 2, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (April 1 2015)
Yaotzin Meza vs. Damian Stasiak at UFC Fight Night: Cro Cop vs. Gonzaga
Patricio Freire vs. Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 138
Abel Trujillo out, Shane Campbell vs. John Makdessi at UFC 186
John Hathaway vs. Gunnar Nelson at UFC 189
John Howard vs. Brandon Thatch at UFC 189
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via HotshotRookie.
Aldo/Mcgregor pre-fight tour, Sad and pathetic…
I would really like to get opinions from the mma community on this, has anyone else found this whole pre-fight tour embarrassing, petty and sad?. headlines such as ”dana white says mcgregor slapped aldo”, ”aldo says that didn’t happen”, ‘mcgregor swipes belt form aldo” and ”aldo says that’s all conor can do” is bringing me down. Makes me realize the gap between children and adults isn’t always a large one.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
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