Despite Georges St-Pierre’s recent comments regarding a return to MMA, UFC president Dana White is still adamant the former welterweight champion will never fight again.
Dana White doesn’t believe Georges St-Pierre is interested in a return to mixed martial arts competition, despite recent comments.
St-Pierre, a former UFC welterweight champion, made an appearance on MMAFighting.com’s The MMA Hour last month and revealed he was in negotiations with the UFC. This wasn’t the first time it seemed like a St-Pierre return was in store, but the 35-year-old appeared more serious about returning than ever. He said he underwent a training camp recently, which included sparring, and the results were positive.
“What I did is I did a training camp to see where I’m at,” St-Pierre said. “I’ve been training, but being in shape and being in fighting shape is something different. I did a training to push myself and go back to the highest level of competition. I didn’t fight, but I put myself through a training camp and I sparred and everything, and I did it successfully. Now I know for a fact that I could go back and fight, if my management and the UFC get to an agreement.
“I love my sport and I still feel I’m at my best right now. The clock is running. I’m not getting any younger. I’m in the peak of my career and if there is a shot, there is another goal, another run, I better do it and do it quick, because it is time to do it now.”
White has been adamant that St-Pierre will always remain retired ever since the French-Canadian initially stepped away from the sport after a controversial title defense over Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November 2013. And he still is.
“Georges St-Pierre will not fight again,” White told the media following the UFC 200 weigh-ins on Friday (via Fight Network). “I’ve said that before, and I’ll say it again. Georges St-Pierre is done. He is retired and he will not fight again. I’ve dealt with him, and we’ve been dealing with this thing. I’ve been in this since I was 19-years-old. I know the mentality of a fighter that wants to fight and I know the mentality of a fighter that does not want to fight.
“He’s been saying [he wants to return] for a long time. I wholeheartedly believe you will never see Georges St-Pierre in the Octagon again, unless he’s cornering somebody.”
White confirmed St-Pierre will be in attendance at UFC 200, which takes place from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday evening.