Tag: UFC Fight Pass Invitational

Georges St-Pierre to face Demian Maia at UFC Fight Pass Invitational event in December

St-PierreIt appears that UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre has found an opponent for his highly anticipated return to the mats. ‘Rush’ announced that he would headline a UFC Fight Pass Invitational event in December, but was unable to offer up any details as far as who his opponent would be. Well, now we know […]

St-Pierre

It appears that UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre has found an opponent for his highly anticipated return to the mats.

‘Rush’ announced that he would headline a UFC Fight Pass Invitational event in December, but was unable to offer up any details as far as who his opponent would be. Well, now we know that St-Pierre will square off with one of the most accomplished grapplers in MMA history, Demian Maia. The two-time UFC title challenger revealed himself as St-Pierre’s opponent in a post on social media.

“Every now and then, something comes up that still does really motivate you,” Maia tweeted. “Grappling @GeorgesStPierre will be a huge challenge & great motivation. You GSP are one of the greatest competitors ever, whom I respect a lot. I’m game! Looking forward to competing at @ufc invitational.”

St-Pierre’s Opponent, Demian Maia, is One of MMA’s Most Accomplished Grapplers

While Georges St-Pierre was busy dominating the welterweight division, Demian Maia was making a name for himself at middleweight. Debuting at UFC 77, Maia scored five-straight wins, including a first-round submission against Chael Sonnen, en route to a UFC title fight with the legendary Anderson Silva. Unfortunately, their fight would go on to become one of the worst title fights in promotional history. For five rounds, Maia and Adesanya refused to engage with one another, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of fight fans and UFC President Dana White.

After failing to capture UFC gold at middleweight, Maia moved to welterweight and engaged in some memorable matchups with Jon Fitch, Jake Shields, and Rory MacDonald. Maia bested Jorge Masvidal in a title eliminator at UFC 211, earning himself a shot at then-welterweight king Tyron Woodley. Maia once again came up short, suffering a unanimous decision defeat. He went 3-2 in his last five fights as his contract with the promotion expired in 2021 amid back-to-back losses against Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad.

Outside of the Octagon, Maia is an accomplished BJJ practitioner, scoring titles at ADCC, the Pan American, and the IBJJF World Championships

Georges St-Pierre asks Michael Bisping to grapple at Fight Pass event in December: ‘I’ll go dance on the mats’

St-PierreUFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre and former foe Michael Bisping appear to be teaming up to make this December’s UFC Fight Pass Invitational event a memorable one. During the promotion’s annual International Fight Week festivities, it was announced that GSP would be making his long-awaited return to combat sports, engaging in a no-gi submission […]

St-Pierre

UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre and former foe Michael Bisping appear to be teaming up to make this December’s UFC Fight Pass Invitational event a memorable one.

During the promotion’s annual International Fight Week festivities, it was announced that GSP would be making his long-awaited return to combat sports, engaging in a no-gi submission grappling match at the end of the year. No opponent has been announced, but ‘Rush’ hopes to see former middleweight world champion Michael Bisping on the card with him.

“Georges is trying to get me to compete on The Fight Pass Invitational as well,” Bisping revealed on his YouTube channel. “Georges has offered to train me. He’s invited me down to Austin, Texas to train with him and [John] Danaher… Which I want to do. And I would like to grapple. So I’m not saying it’s a yes. I’m just saying there’s a very good chance that I’ll go dance on the mats, on The Invitational Fight Pass.”

‘The Count’ followed up on his initial comments via social media and seemingly accepted St-Pierre’s offer.

“It’ll give me something to train for,” Bisping wrote. “@GeorgesStPierre offered to help me train. Would be a please and an honor!”

It Would Be the First Time St-Pierre and Bisping Feature on The Same Card in Six Years

Of course, Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping are no strangers to one another, having shared the Octagon at UFC 217.

After dominating the welterweight division for nearly a decade, GSP returned four years removed from his split decision victory against Johny Hendricks to challenge Bisping for the middleweight title. ‘Rush’ scored a third-round submission, becoming the fourth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two separate divisions. A month later, St-Pierre vacated the title due to a medical issue.

Bisping would go on to compete in one more fight, suffering a first-round knockout against Kelvin Gastelum, before retiring from mixed martial arts in 2018. Since then, Bisping has become a beloved member of the UFC broadcast team, offering his unique insight into fights as a color commentator. ‘The Count’ also runs a successful YouTube channel where he hosts the Believe You Me podcast alongside light heavyweight contender Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith.

Georges St-Pierre sees Khabib as a ‘very attractive’ opponent for his UFC Fight Pass Invitational debut

St-PierreFormer two-division UFC champion Georges St-Pierre is eyeing a high-profile opponent for his highly anticipated return to combat sports. ‘Rush’ recently revealed that he will compete at the sixth UFC Fight Pass Invitational event on December 14. Currently, St-Pierre is the only athlete announced for the event, but high expectations have already been set when […]

St-Pierre

Former two-division UFC champion Georges St-Pierre is eyeing a high-profile opponent for his highly anticipated return to combat sports.

‘Rush’ recently revealed that he will compete at the sixth UFC Fight Pass Invitational event on December 14. Currently, St-Pierre is the only athlete announced for the event, but high expectations have already been set when it comes to his opponent. While walking the red carpet at the UFC Hall of Fame Ceremony on Thursday Night, GSP was asked who he would like to compete against if given the choice between Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kamaru Usman, and Anderson Silva.

“They are all very attractive, but everyone has a different agenda,” St-Pierre said. “Some are training for upcoming title fights. Some are maybe too heavy. Some are too light. Some just retired and have nothing to do with competition. I received a list from the UFC today. We’re gonna check and look at who’s available and make a decision with the UFC and with my people to make sure we go up against someone they think the people want to see me compete against.”

Georges St-Pierre Drops Some Details on The List He Received from the UFC

While St-Pierre couldn’t confirm any of the names on the list he received, he did reveal that at least one of the names offered up is on the promotion’s short-list of potential opponents for his return to the mat. Unfortunately, one of those names is not former lightweight world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Even so, GSP didn’t rule out the possibility of facing ‘The Eagle’ someday.

“There’s a lot of other potential interesting matchups, but everybody has a different agenda. A different schedule and we’ll see. Khabib’s name was not on the list, but I have to make sure to see who’s available,” GSP revealed.

That leaves either former welterweight king Kamaru Usman or 2023 UFC Hall of Fame Inductee Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva.

Anyone who was a fan of mixed martial arts in the early-to-late-2000s likely looks back on the individual reigns of St-Pierre and Anderson Silva fondly. The two men ruled their divisions with an iron fist and were tied to a potential superfight inside the Octagon for many years. Unfortunately, the bout never came to fruition, but fans could still get a chance to see the often-debated dream match in the world of submission grappling.

No matter who St-Pierre squares off with, the ultimate goal is to help promote the UFC’s Fight Pass Invitational events and the sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

“My goal is to [turn] this event into a much bigger event and I’m here to promote it,” he continued. “I will do the best I can and maybe once it’s started, some guys will look at it and say, ‘Hey, I want to be part of it as well.’“

Gordon Ryan scoffs at Nicky Rodriguez USADA call out: ‘Steroids are not illegal in Jiu-Jitsu’

Gordon Ryan scoffs at Nicky Rodriguez USADA claim Steroids aren't illegal in Jiu-JitsuDecorated grappler, Gordon Ryan has rejected the need for USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) in a potential future clash with Nicky Rodriguez – claiming “steroids aren’t illegal” in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling, after he was the subject of an offer at UFC Fight Night Invitational 4 earlier this weekend.  Ryan, a decorated Brazilian […]

Gordon Ryan scoffs at Nicky Rodriguez USADA claim Steroids aren't illegal in Jiu-Jitsu

Decorated grappler, Gordon Ryan has rejected the need for USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) in a potential future clash with Nicky Rodriguez – claiming “steroids aren’t illegal” in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling, after he was the subject of an offer at UFC Fight Night Invitational 4 earlier this weekend. 

Ryan, a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player and submission grappling expert, has been sidelined from active competition since he headlined UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 last December against the aforenoted, Rodriguez – suffering a Fastest Escape Time loss in a no gi clash last year.

Sidelined from an expected professional mixed martial arts outing in recent years, Gordon Ryan revealed recently that he has still failed to overcome an auto-immune stomach issue, which has so far failed to response to medicine prescribed. 

Undergoing another surgical procedure, Ryan has been ruled from a return to competition for the foreseeable future once again.

However, the 27-year-old New Jersey native has been the subject of a call out from the aforenoted, Rodriguez – who urged him to take part in USADA anti-doping testing.

As a result, Ryan jumped to the defense of accusations levelled against him, claiming steroids are not illegal to utilize in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“First of all, no, because steroids are not illegal in Jiu-Jitsu,” Gordon Ryan said. “Number two, I actually have a contract coming to Nicky Rod (Rodriguez), for USADA and WADA testing from now until the next ADCC, so interesting to see if he’s gonna sign that.” (H/T Bloody Elbow)

Gordon Ryan has turned in a slew of notable grappling victories

A five-time ADCC gold medalist, Ryan has landed notable submission grappling wins over the likes of Keenan Cornelius, Vagner Rocha, Dillon Danis, Romulo Barral, Roberto Abreu, Ralek Gracie, Josh Barnett, Garry Tonon, Marcus Almeida, Rousimar Palhares, Bo Nickal, Aleksei Oleinik, Gabriel Gonzaga, Pat Downey, and Andre Galvao.