Tag: GOAT

Georges St-Pierre Eying Retirement, But Would Return For ‘Legacy Fight’

Georges St-Pierre might be leaning towards retirement, but the greatest welterweight to ever compete would return to the Octagon for a ‘big legacy fight.’ Earlier today (Mon., Oct. 15, 2018) GSP was a guest on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.” The longtime welterweight champion explained how his passion for the fight game has subsided as of […]

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Georges St-Pierre might be leaning towards retirement, but the greatest welterweight to ever compete would return to the Octagon for a ‘big legacy fight.’

Earlier today (Mon., Oct. 15, 2018) GSP was a guest on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.” The longtime welterweight champion explained how his passion for the fight game has subsided as of late, but a truly massive fight would interest him.

“The motivation is not the same that it used to be,” St-Pierre said. “I don’t have the same motivation to go to the lineup again and to fight my way up to another title. I’m done with this. I’ve done it for so many years.

“You reach a point in your career where you want to do things different. That’s why this fight with (Michael) Bisping was different because it was a superfight. For me, that’s what I look for.”

St-Pierre reigned supreme over the 170-pound division from  2007 until 2013. He walked away from the sport only to resurface at UFC 217 last year when he defeated Michael Bisping to capture the middleweight strap.

St-Pierre relinquished the middleweight title because of health issues. The Canadian was battling with colitis, an inflammation of the colon that causes an unpleasant digestive disorder. His condition has improved in recent months but still factors in GSP’s decision to return.

“The big issue for fighting for me is the symptoms of colitis. I have to get rid of my medication,” St-Pierre said. “Once I get the dose down to where I want it to be I’ll make the decision. Right now I’m not ready to sign a fight deal as we speak. Mentally, I don’t want to fight right now.”

As for a return to the Octagon, GSP could grace us with his presence as soon as next year. However, there’s really only one man who interests St-Pierre. That is lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“The thing that excites me the most is when I could be the first to do something. When something cannot be done and people doubt me,” St-Pierre said of going up against Nurmagomedov’s 27-0 record. “He’s a great champion, and in terms of legacy, I can’t think of a better fighter right now who has a better legacy than Khabib.”

Current UFC welterweight champ Tyrone Woodley has openly lobbied for a St-Pierre fight for some time. GSP, however, feels “The Chosen One” has a ways to go yet.

“Tyron Woodley, his last performance was amazing,” St-Pierre said. “He’s doing very well. He’s making a big name for himself. To get a legacy in the sport, it doesn’t come in one day. It took me nine title defenses to get the name that I have.”

Finally, St-Pierre made one thing abundantly clear. Whatever his future holds, money will not factor into his decision. St-Pierre is doing just fine on that front. And he has options well beyond fighting.

“I’m already set,” he said. “I have different companies that I’m involved with. Different real estate as well. In terms of money, I don’t need the money. I came out (of the sport) on top, healthy and wealthy, and want to keep it this way.

“The competitor inside of me wants me to return sometime. I want to return as a competitor but I need to listen to the logic as well. It needs to be worth it.”

Let us know what you think.

Will GSP return next year to fight Khabib? Or will St-Pierre stay retired.

The post Georges St-Pierre Eying Retirement, But Would Return For ‘Legacy Fight’ appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Georges St-Pierre Eying Retirement, But Would Return For ‘Legacy Fight’

Georges St-Pierre might be leaning towards retirement, but the greatest welterweight to ever compete would return to the Octagon for a ‘big legacy fight.’ Earlier today (Mon., Oct. 15, 2018) GSP was a guest on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.” The longtime welterweight champion explained how his passion for the fight game has subsided as of […]

The post Georges St-Pierre Eying Retirement, But Would Return For ‘Legacy Fight’ appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Georges St-Pierre might be leaning towards retirement, but the greatest welterweight to ever compete would return to the Octagon for a ‘big legacy fight.’

Earlier today (Mon., Oct. 15, 2018) GSP was a guest on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.” The longtime welterweight champion explained how his passion for the fight game has subsided as of late, but a truly massive fight would interest him.

“The motivation is not the same that it used to be,” St-Pierre said. “I don’t have the same motivation to go to the lineup again and to fight my way up to another title. I’m done with this. I’ve done it for so many years.

“You reach a point in your career where you want to do things different. That’s why this fight with (Michael) Bisping was different because it was a superfight. For me, that’s what I look for.”

St-Pierre reigned supreme over the 170-pound division from  2007 until 2013. He walked away from the sport only to resurface at UFC 217 last year when he defeated Michael Bisping to capture the middleweight strap.

St-Pierre relinquished the middleweight title because of health issues. The Canadian was battling with colitis, an inflammation of the colon that causes an unpleasant digestive disorder. His condition has improved in recent months but still factors in GSP’s decision to return.

“The big issue for fighting for me is the symptoms of colitis. I have to get rid of my medication,” St-Pierre said. “Once I get the dose down to where I want it to be I’ll make the decision. Right now I’m not ready to sign a fight deal as we speak. Mentally, I don’t want to fight right now.”

As for a return to the Octagon, GSP could grace us with his presence as soon as next year. However, there’s really only one man who interests St-Pierre. That is lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“The thing that excites me the most is when I could be the first to do something. When something cannot be done and people doubt me,” St-Pierre said of going up against Nurmagomedov’s 27-0 record. “He’s a great champion, and in terms of legacy, I can’t think of a better fighter right now who has a better legacy than Khabib.”

Current UFC welterweight champ Tyrone Woodley has openly lobbied for a St-Pierre fight for some time. GSP, however, feels “The Chosen One” has a ways to go yet.

“Tyron Woodley, his last performance was amazing,” St-Pierre said. “He’s doing very well. He’s making a big name for himself. To get a legacy in the sport, it doesn’t come in one day. It took me nine title defenses to get the name that I have.”

Finally, St-Pierre made one thing abundantly clear. Whatever his future holds, money will not factor into his decision. St-Pierre is doing just fine on that front. And he has options well beyond fighting.

“I’m already set,” he said. “I have different companies that I’m involved with. Different real estate as well. In terms of money, I don’t need the money. I came out (of the sport) on top, healthy and wealthy, and want to keep it this way.

“The competitor inside of me wants me to return sometime. I want to return as a competitor but I need to listen to the logic as well. It needs to be worth it.”

Let us know what you think.

Will GSP return next year to fight Khabib? Or will St-Pierre stay retired.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov Calls Out Floyd Mayweather

Whether Khabib Nurmagomedov is claiming Conor McGregor’s bus attack was a UFC setup, responding to 50 Cent’s $2 million offer, or calling out the greatest boxer of all-time, he’s simply dominating the headlines. Khabib dug his heels in earlier this week when he took to social media to further explain his side of the UFC 229 […]

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Whether Khabib Nurmagomedov is claiming Conor McGregor’s bus attack was a UFC setup, responding to 50 Cent’s $2 million offer, or calling out the greatest boxer of all-time, he’s simply dominating the headlines.

Khabib dug his heels in earlier this week when he took to social media to further explain his side of the UFC 229 brawl. He expressed his willingness to walk away from the UFC if the promotion does indeed fire his longtime friend and training partner Zubaira Tukhugov.

Now Khabib sys he wants to follow his rival Conor McGregor right into the squared circle.

Boxing manager DeJuan Blake posted an Instagram video showing the Dagestani posing with Mayweather Productions CEO Leonard Ellerbe. To say Khabib looked happy would be an understatement.

“Hey, let’s go, Floyd, we have to fight now,” a smiling Khabib said. “50 and 0 versus 27 and 0, two guys who never lose. Let’s go, why not? Because in the jungle, only one king. Of course, I’m the king, because he can not drop McGregor, but I drop him easily, that’s why let’s go.”

Oddly enough, Khabib became the first fighter to drop McGregor in a fight. Not even the great Floyd Mayweather Jr. was able to knock down the brash Irishman in a 10-round boxing match last August.

It’s highly unlikely Khabib and Mayweather will ever meet each other in any form of combat. That’s especially true since both Nurmagomedov and McGregor have been suspended pending an investigation by the NSAC for their parts in the UFC 229 melee.

But hey, Khabib is doing all the right things to assume the mantle of MMA’s biggest star.

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Anderson Silva Reacts To Conor McGregor’s Callout

Conor McGregor recently expressed interest in fighting UFC legend Anderson Silva. It’s time Silva reacts to that callout. The former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion will face Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of this weekend’s (October 6, 2018) UFC 229 from Las Vegas. But as always, he’s continuously looking forward to the biggest and best […]

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Conor McGregor recently expressed interest in fighting UFC legend Anderson Silva. It’s time Silva reacts to that callout.

The former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion will face Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of this weekend’s (October 6, 2018) UFC 229 from Las Vegas. But as always, he’s continuously looking forward to the biggest and best options for his career.

Silva is apparently on his short list of prospective opponents moving forward. The longtime former middleweight champion was recently exonerated by USADA. Because his name has been cleared, he can return to action this month. Silva does not yet have a fight booked.

When he does return, however, he’s apparently onboard with a potentially massive super fight with McGregor. The all-time great just posted on his official Instagram account that it would ‘be an honor’ to face McGregor. Silva also appears to know the current climate of the fight game. He’s seen the focus on super fights.

‘The Spider’s’ Response

Check out his response to McGregor (translated from Portuguese by MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz):

“It would be an honor to test myself with Conor McGregor. He’s an unorthodox fighter and has proven he must be respected. Let’s make it happen.

“The UFC wants superfights, I’m sure fans from all over the world want to see this fight. Professionally, I believe it would be incredible to test my martial arts abilities with a fighter like Conor McGregor in a true superfight. He’s focused on fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov now, after this fight I’m ready for this challenge. When and where he wants.”

The 43-year-old Silva has been out of action since February 2017. He was set to face Kelvin Gastelum last fall but was removed due to his USADA issues. ‘The Spider’ is considered one of the greatest mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters of all-time.

He set a record for the most consecutive wins in the UFC with a 16-fight streak from 2006-2013 and will go down in history because of it. But Silva is far out of his prime. He’s also never fought at less than 185 pounds in the UFC. Silva did fight at welterweight before his UFC career.

That’s the highest division McGregor has competed at. It’s unlikely Silva would be able to cut down to 170 due to his advancing age. But stranger things have happened, and even though Silva is aging quickly, this fight would still be like printing money.

Is it one you want to see after UFC 229?

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Jon Jones Fires Back At Georges St-Pierre Over GOAT Comments

It didn’t take too long. Jon Jones has fired back at Georges St-Pierre over his recent GOAT comments. It’s a debate that rages on in MMA. The PED or steroid angle. Do performance enhancing drugs really give athletes an added advantage in competition? Former middleweight champion and welterweight king GSP thinks so. St-Pierre firmly believes […]

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It didn’t take too long. Jon Jones has fired back at Georges St-Pierre over his recent GOAT comments.

It’s a debate that rages on in MMA. The PED or steroid angle. Do performance enhancing drugs really give athletes an added advantage in competition?

Former middleweight champion and welterweight king GSP thinks so. St-Pierre firmly believes that fighters who have had a history with PED’s shouldn’t even be in the running for the GOAT conversation.

Jones has failed two USADA drug tests over the last two-plus years. He took exception to GSP’s comments over Instagram. Jones threw some serious shade at St-Pierre by insinuating he had brain damage:

“Saying steroids change more than physical performance,” wrote Jones, who is arguably the best MMA fighter of all time. “‘Make you more creative and hungry’. Do you know how crazy that sounds? I guess brain damage is real out here.”

Jones believes PEDs aren’t able to throw a kick such as the one he knocked out Daniel Cormier with in his last fight:

“Saying PED metabolites threw a kick? Come on man. It’s called training and identifying a weakness. So much, in fact, I told him to his face it was coming and then landed it. That’s called execution.”

‘Bones’ closed by telling GSP he should focus on dominating his next fight rather than talking about a theoretical ranking:

“How about rather than campaigning for GOAT status you get in there and dominate your next fight,” Jones wrote. “I’ve had nothing but respect for you over all these years. Don’t change that now. You’re better than this.”

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It sucks when you have to hear someone you’ve always shown respect to sit and talk foolishness. But that’s the nature of the game these days. Saying steroids change more than physical performance. “Make you more creative and hungry”. Do you know how crazy that sounds? I guess brain damage is real out here. Saying PED metabolites threw a kick? Come on man. It’s called training and identifying a weakness. So much in fact I told him to his face it was coming and then landed it. That’s called execution. How about rather than campaigning for GOAT status you get in there and dominate your next fight. I’ve had nothing but respect for you over all these years. Don’t change that now. You’re better than this

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Tyron Woodley’s Coach Thinks He’s Nearing GOAT Status

Tyron Woodley’s coach thinks he is nearing welterweight greatness.

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Tyron Woodley’s coach thinks he is nearing welterweight greatness.

Just how good is the reigning defending welterweight champion T-Wood? Only Hall of Famers Georges St-Pierre and Matt Hughes have more title defenses at 170 pounds than Woodley. St-Pierre has a staggering nine defenses and Hughes has five from his time as a dominant champion. If Woodley is able to defend his title one more time he will tie Hughes with five successful defenses.

Since day one, Woodley has had aspirations of greatness. He has repeatedly stated his desire to go down as the greatest welterweight fighter of all time. Though that title is usually given to GSP, Woodley is definitely in the discussion for the top three.

Woodley most recently defeated the previously unbeaten Darren Till in the main event of UFC 228. In so doing retaining his title for the fourth straight time. Now Woodley’s coach Din Thomas believes with another successful defense “The Chosen One” will be on par with St-Pierre.

Din Thomas on T-Wood

“I think, at this point, I’m going to have to say second,” Thomas said recently on The MMA Hour when asked to assess Woodley’s all-time welterweight ranking. “Like you said, I think his résumé speaks for itself, when you think of the guys that he has beaten, even in his come-up, between like Carlos Condit, Kelvin Gastelum, Robbie Lawler. He’s beaten all those guys.

“But I think that a couple more title defenses will solidify his position. I think that’s all he needs. A win over Colby — to me, I think Colby’s an easy opponent, to be honest with you, but just on the résumé he kinda needs that just so he can have more title defenses — and maybe even Usman, but if he gets those two then he’s the best of all-time.”

Covington Next

A fight between Woodley and Covington seems like a foregone conclusion. UFC president Dana White stated before UFC 228 that “Chaos” is the next in line to challenge for the welterweight title. Although White has been known to waffle on his words ion the past.

“He doesn’t have anything that’s dangerous to Tyron,” Thomas explained. “He doesn’t have the ability to knock him out with one punch if Tyron slips, he doesn’t have the ability to choke Tyron out — to play ‘take him down, take his back, choke him out.’ I don’t think he has that ability. The way Colby can win that fight is to obviously grind him out, and I don’t think he can outwrestle Tyron to get up to that point. So to me, that’s just kind of an easier matchup.”

Woodley was rumored to be defending his title at UFC 230 on November 3. However, it has since been revealed that he will be sidelined for eight to 12 weeks because of hand surgery stemming from a dislocated thumb and three torn ligaments.

Woodley & White Beef

White and Woodley have had a contentious relationship in the past. So when White was conspicuously absent from the UFC 228 press conference the media perceived White’s action as a sleight to Woodley. However, Thomas wouldn’t go that far.

“Being on the (Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight) show with Dana, I know how hard he works. I know his schedule and I know he keeps everything really tight, so I would never speculate that he didn’t show up because he disliked Tyron or he didn’t want Tyron to win,” Thomas said. “In fact, when he came into the cage, he kinda gave me a nod and was like, ‘Good job.’ I mean, of course everybody’s going to speculate that he didn’t like it, but I know, like I said, Dana keeps a very tight schedule. I know that he was leaving — I was talking to his security guy afterward saying, ‘Man, we got a flight to catch.’

“And sometimes Dana, it’s just like, his schedule, he’s tired all the time, so I don’t want to use that as the excuse but I just know he keeps a tight schedule. So that’s the only reason why I could see he wouldn’t be at the press conference. I would like to see him come out with a statement and congratulate Tyron. That would be good, because it’s easy to criticize fighters, but when they show and prove, when they show up and give you what you ask, I think it’s only right to give them their props.”

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