Georges St-Pierre confirms UFC comeback and his opponent is set to be named soon. (Photo : Getty Images/Charley Gallay)
Many MMA fans around the world are still hoping that Georges St-Pierre will fight again inside the Octagon this year. GSP confirmed in a recent interview that he is negotiating with the UFC but the Reebok deal is considered as a roadblock to a possible return.
"So now because of the Reebok deal it changed a lot of things in my contract. We need to renegotiate maybe a new contract because I am not allowed to wear my sponsors anymore and I lose money," GSP told The MMA Hour.
Under the UFC-Reebok deal, the two-time UFC welterweight champ is not allowed to put his sponsors like Affliction Clothing, Hayabusa and Under Armour in his trunks. Many other UFC fighters make money outside of fighting thru sponsorships.
The deal also caused some fighters to leave the biggest promotion in the world. Fighters like former lightweight champion Ben Henderson, Phil Davis, Matt Mitrione and Josh Thomson all joined Bellator after their contracts with the UFC expired.
On the other hand, St-Pierre also revealed that he suffered a rotator cuff injury but he is planning to have a training camp to see if he can still compete. Once his injury heals and the training camp goes smoothly, he will begin renegotiations with the UFC.
According to MMA Mania, one of the biggest fights possible for GSP is to challenge current welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 200 this July. There are also other possibilities like facing Anderson Silva in a superfight or a rematch with Johnny Hendricks.
GSP last fought against Hendricks in November 2013 when he won a controversial split decision. He then vacated the welterweight title the next month as he wanted to take some time off away from MMA.
Even if the 34-year-old Canadian fighter does not return to the UFC, his legacy is secured. He is considered by many MMA analysts and experts as the greatest welterweight of all time. There are also some that think he is the greatest MMA fighter regardless of weight class.
St-Pierre has an MMA record 25 wins and two losses with eight wins coming by way of knockout and five by submission. He also holds the record for most wins in UFC title fights with 12 and most wins in the UFC with 19.
Here is the video of GSP's appearance on The MMA Hour on April 18, Monday.
