Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has returned to the UFC. It has been nearly four years since “Rush” has tread the octagon with his 25-2 good graces and his four year hiatus has hardly dulled the excitement that comes with his announced fights.
Fighters are chomping at the bit to get in the octagon with the former champion. Yet, one UFC welterweight is pausing at the thought of challenging the returning Canadian. No. 1 welterweight contender Stephan Thompson would rather not face “Rush,” now and perhaps never.
In an interview with “Fight Society Podcast,” Thompson explained his caution in facing Pierre.
“I would hate [fighting him]. I would hate the day where I would have to step out there with a guy who inspired me first in kickboxing to [try] mixed martial arts. He was my inspiration. He’s a good friend of mine. That would be a hard one to be honest with you just emotionally because he’s a good bud. But you never know.” Thompson explained on the “Fight Society Podcast.”
While Thompson would greatly prefer to not face Pierre, he does acknowledge them both as professionals.
“You never know what the UFC’s going to bring. Of course, I know we’re both businessmen and professionals. It’s kind of like with Rory [MacDonald], I’ve got a little better relationship with Georges than I did with Rory. I don’t know. We’ll just have to see. I would not want to just because of the relationship we have but it is business.”
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is set to face Tyron Woodley in the main event of UFC 209 in March at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Thompson and Woodley are both coming off of a draw at UFC 205, in which the headlined the event. They will be looking to correct their UFC 205 bout on March 4.
