Georges St-Pierre ready for UFC return

MANILA, Philippines – After nearly 3 years on the sidelines, former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is ready to return to active competition. 

The 35-year-old Canadian revealed his plan to make a comeback on Tuesday, June 21 (Manila time), ending speculation on whether the two-time 170-pound kingpin would fight again following a self-imposed hiatus from mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2013. 

“I did a training camp to see where I’m at because I was training. Being in shape and being in fighting shape is something different. I did a training camp to push myself and go back to the same, 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,” St-Pierre told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.

While the desire to compete is there once again, St-Pierre made it clear that his management team and the UFC are still in negotiations. 

“They were talking and now. I told them I had to do a training camp,” he said. “I had little things that were bothering me physically, [but] I got over it and I did my training camp and I’m back. We’re waiting because a lot of things was going on. Rory [MacDonald] was fighting and there’s a rumor they are going to sale and all of that so we were waiting a little bit what was going on in the meantime before we talk to them again.” 

There is no specific timeline on when St-Pierre can return, but he prefers to strut his wares before the end of the year.

“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,” he said. 

Newly-minted UFC middleweight titleholder Michael Bisping already expressed interest to square off with St-Pierre. 

St-Pierre seems to like the idea of facing Bisping inside UFC’s famed Octagon, not only for the world middleweight championship but also to maintain his record as the only fighter with the most wins in the organization’s history. 

“I do not believe if I fight him he would send me back to a movie set. Yes, he’s bigger than me, but I believe I have more skills, more athleticism, and a higher fighting IQ than he does,” he said about the match-up against Bisping.

St-Pierre, who is considered one of the best MMA prizefighters of all time, owns a remarkable 25-2 record. He held the UFC welterweight title from 2008 to 2013. 

“Rush” first won the gold-plated strap, stopping Matt Hughes in their November 2006 rematch before relinquishing the belt to Matt Serra in his first title defense in April 2007.

St-Pierre regained the UFC welterweight title by defeating Serra via second-round technical knockout in their April 2008 second encounter. 

The 5-foot-10 Tristar Gym representative was last seen in action when he controversially outpointed Johny Hendricks via split decision in November 2013. – Rappler.com