Coach: Georges St-Pierre would only return to face Conor McGregor or Khabib
It’s been almost two years since we last saw former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre compete. When he did return at UFC 217 he did so against then middleweight champion Michael Bisping, and GSP became two-divisional champ after defeating the Englishman. Since then St-Pierre was forced to vacate the title due to health issues, but that hasn’t stopped talks of another UFC fight. According to his long-time coach Firas Zahabi the two strongest candidates for GSP to return against are former double champ Conor McGregor and undefeated lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. Zahabi also says that “the ship has sailed” for a lightweight return.
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“He’s older now, and life is good,” Zahabi said in an interview with MMA Junkie. “He’s found a social life, a balance in life of training and family and friends. To leave all that to do a 155 is a big cost in terms of sacrificing energy and preparation. He would have to prep six months to get to that. He would have to set it up to get done. 155 would be work. Is he going to work that much? I think that ship has sailed.
“I’m not talking for Georges. In my opinion he’ll only come back for a mega-fight. Like a mega-fight,” Zahabi said. “No titles needed, either. Could be a title. I don’t think that’s really important to him. Like a mega-fight. Only those two names (Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor) that are the names big enough for him and enticing.”
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Nurmagomedov has showed interest in facing GSP, and while there was talks of the UFC booking the fight nothing ever materialised. McGreor has been an unpredictable character as of late, though there is no doubt that a match up with St-Pierre would be enticing for the Irishman. There has been talks of McGregor returning to face streaking Justin Gaethje, but nothing substantial as of yet.
Nurmagomedov now seems to be on a collision coarse with long-time rival Tony Ferguson. Nurmagomedov vs Ferguson has been booked and fallen through four times, and UFC brass are hoping that fifth time is the charm.
At the end of the day, the UFC would inevitably be the biggest winners should GSP return for a super fight against either Nurmagomedov or McGregor.
