Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre says his most recent injury setback won’t affect his decision on possibly returning to MMA. Undergoing a successful procedure to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee Apr. 9, St-Pierre knows he’s capable of overcoming the injury and that it’s up to him if he wants to make the return to competition.
“I climbed Everest once before and I’m going to climb it again – if I want to,” St-Pierre tells The Globe and Mail’s Neil Davidson. “It’s not a problem for me. . . . Anyway I didn’t plan to come back to competition before 2015. And if I want to come back, when I want to come back, I’ll do it again. I’ll have all the tools to do it again. I’m not going to be less strong or less athletic – I’m going to be just better. I’ll have two bionic knees.”
St-Pierre suffered an identical injury to his right knee in 2011, but returned to defeat interim champion Carlos Condit just 11 months later at UFC 154.
Noted in his 2014 documentary Takedown: The DNA of GSP, St-Pierre was warned by surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache that individuals who tear one ACL stand a much higher risk of suffering the same injury to the other leg. As fate would have it that’s just what happened. According to Davidson, St-Pierre sustained the injury when his knee caught in a mat and twisted wrestling with ‘a kid.’
“It was like someone hurt his back by tying up his shoes,” says St-Pierre. “Perfect timing for me that I get hurt right now. That’s the way to look at it.”
St-Pierre says he plans on rehabbing the injury in Los Angeles for three months before resuming his training in five and sparring in six to seven. He’ll also lean heavily upon the experience of his 2011 rehabilitation to see him through.
“I know the way now. It’s going to be even better. But the thing is you can’t go faster than your body heals. I don’t want to go too fast. It’s never going to happen again. The pressure will be on my bone and my muscle, not on my ligaments.”
Labeling most ACL injuries as preventable, St-Pierre even plans on adding a mobility expert to his team to change the way he moves, everything from running to jumping.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson predictions. Hurry up and read Luke Thomas’ picks before these fights start in a few hours.
From curtain jerker to main card. Beneil Dariush has already won. “Being inside that Octagon, those 15 minutes I get to go against my opponent, that’s my celebration.”
Called out. Alexander Shlemenko wants Tito Ortiz at the Bellator PPV.
DC. Daniel Cormier is being targeted to fight at UFC 173 against either Dan Henderson or Ryan Bader.
Wolf heart. Dan Hardy says the U.S. health care system is hampering his return the MMA.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson weigh-in highlights.
Ronda Rousey still wants that Bryan Caraway fight.
Chuck Norris on Bruce Lee and Joe Rogan.
TTTHS.
Clay Guida says the UFC’s featherweight division is ‘up for grabs.’
Johny Hendricks bringing the heat.
Long watches.
The MMA Beat on Diaz brothers, Shields, Carano, Overeem, drug testing, UFC 174, Big Nog-Nelson
…
THE KING OF THE RING (Full Documentary)
TWEETS
Big day for Tito.
News get better and better. Guess who’s cleared to fight????
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) April 10, 2014
Me that’s who!!!!!! I’mmmmm baaaaack! pic.twitter.com/DjJ27k29Ib
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) April 10, 2014
The Champ calls me out??😱”@KenPavia: Alexander Shlemenko challenges Tito Ortiz for an MMA fight!: http://t.co/v7oups57gc via @YouTube
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) April 11, 2014
I guess great things come in three. 1.I get full custody of my Boyz 2.I get cleared the fight 3.The Champ calls me out. 2day was a good day!
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) April 11, 2014
Get well soon.
I climbed Everest once and I will climb it again! It’s on!!!
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) April 10, 2014
Great time in Abu Dhabi, also had a great conversation with mr Joe Silva, things are looking good! Just a few more steps for clearance..
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) April 10, 2014
Tough break.
Very sad to say my fight with Andrew Craig has been called off due to Craig being sick. Hopefully he recovers quickly. #bummed
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) April 10, 2014
“@LukeBarnatt: @ChrisCamozzi @Mmanarchy @ufc wasn’t offered to me… I’m here” I heard it was from a few ppl, some of your buddies even
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) April 10, 2014
Everyone is mad about @ChrisCamozzi fight being canceled,except this guy…his dog…he didn’t budge when I told him pic.twitter.com/P2N5VE2XKI
— Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) April 10, 2014
Not the best.
CAN-derlei asked Dana to postpone our fight until “July 32nd”
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) April 11, 2014
He’s ready.
Stop the bullshiet and excuses lots of big mouths up there lots talk and no go
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) April 10, 2014
Lombard vs Hendricks – It’s Time! http://t.co/czeft9aUOG
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) April 10, 2014
The hunt.
Look what we found! #Mufasa Working on trapping him now,,will keep you posted! jonnybones http://t.co/6lXhNMPVTs
— Jackson’s MMA (@JacksonsMMA) April 11, 2014
WE FOUND MUFASA!! Tomorrow afternoon sometime I will contact the woman who gave me the big tip. Very grateful
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 11, 2014
But is he a good cube mate?
Yep. Just another day at the office. I work for the best company in the world! #ufc @ufc pic.twitter.com/UmVyzJ9CEf
— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) April 10, 2014
He’s still jugglin.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Apr. 10 2014)
Elias Theodorou vs. Sheldon Westcott at TUF Nations Finale
Vik Grujic vs. Nordine Taleb at TUF Nations Finale
Chris Indich vs. Richard Walsh at TUF Nations Finale
cancelled Chris Camozzi vs. Andrew Craig at UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson
Yan Cabral vs. Zak Cummings at UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva
Tae Hyun Bang vs. Kajan Johnson at UFC 174
William Macario out, Neil Magny vs. Tim Means at UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Everything You NEED to Know About UFC Fight Night 39 Main Card
Unless you believe in miracles on the level of Santa Claus, there aren’t going to be any fights with title implications on this card. But damn it, I’m a fight fan! Not just a title fight fan! For those that need something more this is likely one of the last opportunities to see a couple of legends perform (and maybe the first for some in regards to Kawajiri) and a possible glimpse into the future with some of the younger fighters on the card.
Also worth noting is the fact this card takes place in Abu Dhabi, so the prelims will be starting in the morning and the main card early in the afternoon. Many of you will likely be at work at that time and thus will likely miss it even if you wanted to watch it. If you have a Fight Pass subscription and work at a computer though… not that I’m suggesting anything.
I’m not going to continue to try and sell you on this card as I’m sure that you already intend to watch it (or at least follow up on its results) if you are reading this. I’ll just shut up at this point and let you get to what it is you want to know… if you haven’t skipped this part already.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.