The fighting future of former two division UFC champion Georges St-Pierre has been a topic of much concern since the fighter’s recent debilitating case of colitis. That being said, St-Pierre has now come forward to reveal his new interest in facing one of the UFC’s toughest veterans.
St-Pierre made his big octagon return after nearly four years away from the sport at UFC 217. After submitting Michael Bisping for the UFC middleweight title, the French-Canadian phenom would vacate the title shortly after due to his case of colitis.
Speaking with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani on the most recent edition of The MMA Hour, Georges St-Pierre revealed that he is feeling much better and is now considering all of his options for his fighting future.
Rumors have been swirling that St-Pierre being targeted to face off against a series of UFC superstars including the likes of Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor. When asked about a possible fight with Stockton native Nate Diaz, St-Pierre revealed that the match up is not of much interest to him.
“The fight with Nate Diaz doesn’t really interest me because I beat Nick Diaz.” St-Pierre stated. “And, logically it’s not a risk worth it to take for me. Because, if I beat Nate Diaz it’s normal for me. People expect me to win. But, if I lose I lose a big part of my legacy, I lose my name. I think it’s not worth it for me. Logically it’s not worth it.”
The former two division champion was then asked about the potential of a match up against now reigning UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. After all, St-Pierre made his name in the sport by becoming one of the UFC’s most dominant welterweight title holders.
“Tyron Woodley, in the beginning, before I wanted to fight Tyron Woodley, a few months, a few years ago.” St-Pierre said. “We even text each other. However, the idea of coming back at 185 was put in my head, and I thought it made more sense. That’s why I choose to go to 185, because I fought at 170 my whole life.”
“If if put my legacy against someone, it needs to be something great.” The fighter continued. “Something, the guy needs to be accomplished something special. If I put my legacy, it’s a risk. I want it to be worth it.”
“If I fight a guy at 170. Tyron is a great champion. But, he fought ‘Wonderboy’ he won that fight, but his last fight were not fights that made history. He won the fight, they were great, but it felt like it was not a special fight. So, for me that’s why I chose Bisping. I had a lot more to gain fighting Bisping than fighting Tyron Woodley.”
The last possible fight offer Georges St-Pierre shot down was a match up against UFC superstar Conor McGregor. While “Notorious” would be a huge payday opportunity for the fighter, St-Pierre does not believe it would fit his legacy.
“The thing is Conor McGregor, money wise he’s the one that can put the more money on the table.” The fighter claimed. “However, I think legacy wise, I don’t think he’s the guy. Money wise, for people who are not a huge fan of MMA, they know who Conor McGregor is. He’s the main guy. he’s the guy that brought the sport to a different level. He’s the most charismatic guy. He sells, the biggest seller in the sport.”
“If you talk about legacy, If I come back is for legacy. Legacy is what interests me the most. Money is good, but if I come back, it will be for legacy.
However, Georges St-Pierre seemingly changed his tune at the mention of a possible fight against Nick Diaz. The former champion revealed that the UFC has even offered him a fight against the Stockton native.
“Let’s say Nick comes back, and fights for the title.” St-Pierre said. “Diaz for me now, is not a good fight because it’s a risk to take. But, lets say he comes back and he wins a title or accomplish something great. Now his name is higher, his brand is higher. Now it may be more worth it.”
“There have been talks for me to fighting Nick.” The fighter continued. “But for me fighting Nick right now, there’s nothing to gain. Because I beat him, and he’s lost many of his fights. And he’s a pain in the ass, he’s a very skilled fighter and he’s a big pain in the butt. It would be a risk to take for me. It would be stupid for me to fight him.
“But on his side, if he comes back and achieves something great, then it would make sense.”
It would appear that while many possible match ups are not of interest to the French-Canadian phenom, an octagon war against Nick Diaz may be right up Georges St-Pierre’s alley.
