Speaking with Canadian outlet La Presse, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre says he feels let down by the UFC for not being more supportive of his cause to broaden pre-fight drug testing.
(Translation via Google translate)
“The only thing is that I do not know if they are willing to support me. I thought they were ready to support me, but I was disappointed, very disappointed with this turn of events.
Not only has the UFC not endorsed St-Pierre’s initiative, UFC president Dana White appeared apathetic, at best, calling it ‘a little weird.’
“There are things I can not say. I do not want to get back to the UFC because it is my employer. However, I do not take journalists for idiots. They are able to read between the lines. They are able to see what happens. “
St-Pierre, set to defend his title to Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November, requested the pair submit to anti-doping testing leading up to the bout. Unsatisfied by the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s standards of testing, St-Pierre invited Hendricks to join him for more rigorous screenings by independent organizations, picking up the tab himself. Ambiguously accused of PED use by former opponents B.J. Penn and Nick Diaz, St-Pierre has aggressively tried to dispel those claims by leading the charge for more strenuous screening methods.
“It bothers me a little fight against guys who use performance-enhancing drugs, because it is not fair. It’s a nasty difference in training, argues Georges St-Pierre. There are those who say: “Doping, it does not bother me.” Me, it bothers me. But I’ll do it anyway, the fight. Without accusing anyone, if there are some who do not want to do the tests, I’ll do the fighting. It will not be the first time. But it’s just that I’m getting a little tired. “
Georges St-Pierre faces Johny Hendricks for the welterweight championship at UFC 167 on Nov. 16, 2013 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Video results: Make sure to check out full video highlights of Shields vs. Maia, Kim vs. Silva, and Palhares vs. Pierce from last night’s UFC Fight Night 29.
Fight Night bonuses. See who took home $50K for fight and KO of the night and why Rousimar Palhares was denied after tapping Mike Pierce in just 31 seconds.
Bad Toquinho. Dana White tells MMA Fighting that Palhares will be punished in some fashion after cranking a nasty heel hook a little too long.
European tour. UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta says the UFC plans on a European series of fight night events in 2014 set to visit places like Istanbul, Dublin, Lodz, Glasgow and Berlin.
League of Denial. A look at how MMA could soon be dealing with similar issues facing the NFL and head injuries.
MEDIA STEW
Free fights: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez I and II. Looks like Cain gained an inch and lost nine pounds.
Fight Night Barueri: Post-fight Press Conference.
Dana’s latest vlog with footage from UFC 164.
Tommy Toe Hold tackles Fabricio Werdum recent comments on The Reem.
Luke’s latest live chat.
BT Sport’s exclusive Dana White interview.
Decent scrap from ARROWS. Actually wouldn’t mind seeing more fights end this way.
Last night’s full TUF fight between Duke vs. Pennington.
TWEETS
As always, make sure to check out Shaun’s excellent ‘Pro’s React’ covering last night’s action. A few late night tweets from Damian Maia missed the cutoff.
I want to thank all for the support msgs, and even the criticism. Was an honor to headline a @ufc show at home and I did my best.
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) October 10, 2013
Unfortunately I think I made some mistakes on some details that I normally dont do, maybe due to emotion, that costed me the fight, I know
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) October 10, 2013
Still I tried my best for five rounds, and was a bit surprised that two judges gave him the 5th round, which ended up deciding the fight
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) October 10, 2013
But this doesnt take anything away from @jakeshieldsajj whos a great fighter with an impressive record and did his best too. It happens
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) October 10, 2013
Life goes on and now its time to get back home and see my family, wife and kids. I got to keep working harder. Thanks a lot for all support.
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) October 10, 2013
Rovell and Lorenzo talk UFC.
@darrenrovell @DarrenHeitner Darren you are great at what you do but bad call brotha!!! We are just getting started.
— Lorenzo Fertitta (@lorenzofertitta) October 9, 2013
@darrenrovell ok cool. Let’s catch up on thinks soon!
— Lorenzo Fertitta (@lorenzofertitta) October 9, 2013
Good news.
Todays a good day. Doctor says I will 100% fight again , soon ish. Cleared me for light exercise and its not boiling hot for once #happyman
— michael (@bisping) October 9, 2013
Anyone say anything?
Yo geezer @TomKongWatson remember when I dresses up in a banana outfit to corner you! Good times pic.twitter.com/0Blvg9XrWl
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) October 10, 2013
Cub wins.
@JoshLBarnett #VictorWebsterTakesFakeSleepingSelfies pic.twitter.com/ErB4L0Np77
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 9, 2013
Barao looks huge.
No #UFCBarueri.. Com @josealdojunior e @LeoSantosBJJ Show!! #UFCnoCombate pic.twitter.com/HW2PFow0Kd
— Renan Barão (@RenanBaraoUFC) October 9, 2013
Honesty is always the best policy.
Welcome to NYC state of mind Sincerity is a bliss And deserve to be rewarded.. I left $25 bucks there. Imagination pic.twitter.com/4agIJF5wul
— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) October 10, 2013
Something is afoot.
@Randy_Couture – randy follow back. I have to dm you. God bless – ken
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) October 10, 2013
A fan of the top game.
Wrestling wins fights. Everybody knows Jiu-Jitsu now, good luck subbing people from your back. Be prepared to lose that decision.
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) October 10, 2013
TUF reactions.
Great fight
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) October 10, 2013
MAKE IT FIVE ROUNDS PLEASE
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) October 10, 2013
I hope to see @RockyPMMA in the @TUFonFS1 finals!!! Great job 😉
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) October 10, 2013
Next week on #TUF18: #TeamTate‘s @gentlemanjhill fights #TeamRousey‘s @mikewootten. Don’t miss the action Wed, 10PM ET on FOX Sports 1.
— The Ultimate Fighter (@TUFonFS1) October 10, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 9 2013)
Alex Caceres vs. Mitch Gagnon at UFC Fight Night 33
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via MikeMorganMMA.
Ahead of his forthcoming appearance on Russia’s Legend MMA: Emelianenko vs CroCop 2 where he’ll face Alexander Yakovlev and following the announcement of his first opponent under his BAMMA contract, I spoke to the man commonly known as Semtex. Top of the agenda were his thoughts and potential issues given the calibre of opponent he will be facing when BAMMA put on their 14th event.
“He’s a tough opponent, but I don’t expect easy challenges. It’s in my nature to test myself, my training and my faith.”
His famous ‘faith of a mustard seed’ mantra seems deeply ingrained in his consciousness and the brutal striker, whose last four wins have ended in stoppages notably a flying knee at Cage Contender 16, has no time for doubters questioning his pedigree or whether he will secure the win.
“I’m confident I will destroy him, so he will see what it’s like to be locked in a cage with the finishing machine.”
The action all takes place on December 14th when BAMMA close out another successful year for them at the LG Arena in England
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.