Remember when the UFC had a big press conference hyping up Georges St. Pierre’s return to the Octagon? That the former welterweight demigod would be challenging Michael Bisping for the UFC Middleweight Championship? Yeah, so much for that.
Maybe.
Dana White was on one of the Fox Sports Australia when he “broke” the news, because Fox Sports Australia is always the best place to tell people important things. This happened literally as Matt and I were finishing up MMA & Stuff, which I suspect Matt is happy about because that meant he didn’t have to babysit me for another hour.
There are bunch of quotes going around, so here some of them are:
I made this ‘GSP’ fight – we did a press conference. The thing was supposed to happen in July. Michael Bisping is going to have to defend his title now. We’re not waiting for GSP. Georges St-Pierre was coming back. Bisping-St Pierre – they both wanted that fight. We asked Yoel to step aside. He did. It doesn’t look like that fight is gonna happen now.
(Romero) doesn’t need to voice his opinion on why he needs a title shot. He definitely deserves a title shot. He’s next in line – he’s the No.1 ranked guy in the world.
Georges St-Pierre is saying he will not be ready to compete now until November. Who knows if that’s even the case? It could be next year. … So we’re not waiting for Georges St-Pierre anymore. We’re moving on with the division, and Yoel Romero will get the next shot.
There you have it: GSP out, Yoel in, and the likelihood of Bisping retaining his title plummets.
Oooooooor…
This is Dana. He’s off the cuff. He’s angry. But he’s also willing to do a 180 whenever it suits him. I can easily see him being, rightfully, pissed at GSP for being a French-Canadian drama queen, and throwing his hands up. GSP will then call and say, “I’ll sign a contract” and everything will be right in the world.
Or maybe it won’t. Maybe GSP bit off more than he could chew and White is sick of it all. Heaven knows he deals with enough fighters being weirdos (looking at you, Conor). And he gets paid either way so Fuck Off, GSP. Maybe. Frankly, let’s just hope this is the end of it and St. Pierre can go back to hunting aliens or whatever the fuck he does.
I think GSP is done. He keeps moving the fight ahead what does that mean? He is training and realizing he doesn’t have what he thought he would have. Years away from this level makes a difference, especially in your 30s.