UFC: Georges St-Pierre Ending Long Layoff in 2016?
UFC started 2016 with a bang after an epic championship fight between welterweight champion Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit at UFC 195. Things might get a little more interesting in the division as former champion Georges St-Pierre may be returning inside the Octagon very soon.
According to GSP's longtime trainer Firas Sahabi, St-Pierre is not done with MMA and contemplating a return after finishing a six-week training camp to see what his body feels like. "Rush" has not fought since December 2013 when he vacated the welterweight belt and decided to take some time off from the sport.
"He will go through the pain of a six-week camp just to see where his body is. You don't want to sign up for a fight and four weeks in, your body isn't holding up. He's enjoying it right now. If he continues to enjoy it, he'll keep doing it," Sahabi told ESPN.
St-Pierre's last fight was against Johnny Hendricks at UFC 167 wherein he won a controversial split decision. The 34-year-old continued training during his time off and tore his left ACL back in March 2014, but was medically cleared seven months later.
Sahabi mentioned that GSP is still training even when he was travelling in different places. "He's been training his entire life. When he's out west, he trains with Freddie Roach. When he's home, he trains with me. He'll train with grappling coach John Danaher if he's in New York," he said.
He also said that the long layoff really helped St-Pierre, and fans will see a new and improved fighter if he comes back in the UFC. "I think he's been a lot happier. And what makes him even happier is competing and that's why I think he'll want to take it to the next level," Sahabi added.
ESPN noted that GSP's return is perfect for UFC 200 on July 9 in Las Vegas to make it even bigger. The event is slated to be the greatest card in history with Phil "CM Punk" Brooks' debut, Holly Holm-Ronda Rousey 2 and a possible Conor McGregor match.
According to MMA Weekly, the three-time champion could very well challenge Lawler for the welterweight belt that he never lost. The match can be a fantastic fight with St-Pierre's superior mat grappling techniques against Lawler's punching power.
GSP is considered one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport and the greatest welterweight of all-time. He has an MMA record of 25 wins and two losses with eight wins by KO and five by submission.
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