Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes said back in February that he’d be surprised to see fellow former champion Georges St-Pierre actually make a return to the Octagon. Now, Hughes is urging his former rival to make his competitive hiatus permanent.
“The UFC would hate me saying this but I’m going to say it anyway,” Hughes told Canada.com (via MMA Mania). “If I was GSP, I’d probably hang them up. Here I am a guy that lost my (last) two fights and I’d love to get back in there (to finish on a win). And Georges got his hand raised the last fight. So if I had to give advice, I’d say, ‘You want to get out? Get out.'”
St-Pierre opted to step away from the sport following his controversial decision victory over Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November. Citing an overall concern for his own mental well-being, St-Pierre remains noncommittal on when or even if he’ll fight again.
“I like him,” said Hughes. “He always gets his hand raised and he always does it with a method. But, he took a punishment with Johny Hendricks and you could tell that by his face at the (post-fight) news conference. He’s made a lot of money. I don’t know what he makes a fight, but he’s made a lot of money. He made a lot more money than I have. And I’m retired. So he could step back, retire.
“He’s got plenty of money. And it seems like maybe he’s even lost a little bit of the drive. I wish he was more wanting to go out and finish somebody nowadays. It’s just like he’s going out there and kind of going through the moves, so I don’t think his heart’s there.”
Hughes goes on to wonder whether or not St-Pierre really wants to ever take punches from the likes of Robbie Lawler or current champion Johny Hendricks, a concern St-Pierre is likely well aware of.
“He did get beat up last time,” said Hughes. “I don’t know if he wants to come back and take a beating like that. He’s going to come back against a guy like Robbie Lawler, who’s going to hit him. And Johny Hendricks, who’s going to hit him. So there’s not many reasons for him to come back … You tell me what’s he got to come back for?”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Motivated B.J. B.J. Penn hints at retirement even after a win on Sunday night: ‘Isn’t that the best way to leave?’
Crime & Punishment. Ronda Rousey discusses Chael Sonnen’s status and says MMA fighters aren’t being punished severely enough for PED use.
Belmont Stakes. Chris Weidman says Vitor Belfort is ‘almost becoming like a horse with all his testosterone.’
Impossible expectations. Nick Newell explains being under the constant pressure of his doubters. ‘I could be 60-0. I could be the champion, number one in the world, beat everyone, and then I lose one fight and people are going to say I suck.’
No way. Ronda Rousey says she would step in and fight in the main event at UFC 176 if the promotion asked her to. ‘I told them I would fight on 24-hours’ notice and they know that. When I make a promise, I mean it.’
MEDIA STEW
Embedded episode 3.
Free Fight: Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva I.
Fight Motion: Fight Night San Antonio.
Rousey training working on her grappling with Ryron Gracie.
TTTHS.
Tyron Woodley talks beard maintenance.
Don Frye’s outtake reel.
Long watches.
Legends of Cage Warriors: I Never Expected To Be Here | Rosi Sexton
…
The Fighter & The Kid: Brendan’s Mexican Vacation
TWEETS
Chael apologized to Stann?
Just had a very long conversation w/ @sonnench both apologized to one another, me for publicly criticizing him, him for PEDs
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) July 4, 2014
He is owning everything and very sorry, I owned being judgmental vice a friend, he has a long road ahead and I will try to assist
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) July 4, 2014
Both of us will use his story to continue towards clean sport in MMA, glad to hear him own it
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) July 4, 2014
Better get a title shot.
I am not going to fight again unless my opponent and myself are being drug tested (random). #UFC #PED #TRT #EPO #HGH
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) July 3, 2014
Good to go … I think.
Still questions about how I feel and people asking if my heart rate in rest really is 120 bpm.. My HR and BP for you. pic.twitter.com/xS0wS62BMb
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) July 3, 2014
Great to hear.
Waiting, wishing.
Chillin ….cuttin…. Photo via @ewillphoto http://t.co/Ut1prHHH8F
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) July 3, 2014
OK.
Pumped to be fighting for the @ONEFCMMA championship belt Aug 29 in Dubai!! Get to prove again I am the best WW on the planet.
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 3, 2014
Nine for IX trailer.
Movie on @RondaRousey by the Mundo Sisters http://t.co/pPxlDhckTZ
— DrAnnMaria (@DrAnnMaria) July 3, 2014
Good lord.
Ok I got the good ones! #4thofJuly2014 pic.twitter.com/XITHtbuilQ
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) July 4, 2014
Better not be a human in that suit.
We go hard RT @shootmediatv: TheSHOOT! @ufc 175 pool party @LiquidLV @JohnyHendricks @FOXSports1 robot #UFC175 pic.twitter.com/zPMVZEX1Hu
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) July 3, 2014
Be careful.
Tryin to get my IRON MAN on Lovin this toy pic.twitter.com/Vgtv2wtFMH
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) July 4, 2014
So much Vitor.
What are u looking at? This girls has a husband and HES name is JESUS. O que vc está olhando? Essas… http://t.co/3pKRy1JCkN
— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) July 4, 2014
Coping in his own way.
ROSE IS THE FUNNIEST PERSON I KNOW!!! ufc http://t.co/XnDuSPVkmU
— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) July 4, 2014
The ladies.
#TUF20 cast revealed pic.twitter.com/et4BKMqYgS
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) July 3, 2014
Remember, slaps = free drinks.
Guess who just showed his bloated face in Vegas…My fat friend Wood. pic.twitter.com/fNSfuQRNez
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) July 3, 2014
Tasteless artwork.
With the best! @AriannyCeleste pic.twitter.com/xp7AX8s5Hs
— Jhenny Andrade UFC (@jhennyandrade10) July 4, 2014
Not for all the Bud Light Lime.
I want Rogan vs. that FOXBOT.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jul. 3 2014)
Andrei Arlovski vs. Antonio Silva at UFC Fight Night: Brasilia
Chris Dempsey vs. Ilir Latifi at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao
Sara McMann vs. Lauren Murphy at UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Saint Preux
Ben Askren vs. Nobutatsu Suzuki at ONE FC 19
Shinya Aoki vs. Kamal Shalorus at ONE FC 19
Koji Oishi vs. TBA at ONE FC 19
Corey Anderson vs. Matt Van Buren at TUF 19 Finale
Eddie Gordon vs. Dhiego Lima at TUF 19 Finale
Daniel Spohn vs. Patrick Walsh at TUF 19 Finale
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Bad to the Bone.
Combat Sport Super Fights: The Kumate
Recently, UFC’s Lyota Machida expressed interest in fighting Glory Middle Champion, Artem Levin. Choosing to stand up with Artem in the middleweight division, I think would surely look worse than the time Anderson Silva debuted against a game Chris Leben. Other fighters that come to mind that would do some damage in the UFC are Canadian Super Middleweight, David Lemieux. At 25, his best may still be yet to come; having all the training connections to make transition needed in Montreal doesn’t hurt either. With the power 32-2 (30) Lemieux hits with, no one in welterweight division who prides themselves in boxing or stand up, would be able to stand with him. Maybe Tarec Safferdine or Thiago Alves would take exception to that though, mixing in kicks. Regardless, it would be a good night for any MMA fighter to use their wrestling, force takedowns, GNP, maybe look for submission, take Lemieux out of his element.
…
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.