All-time great shocks the mixed martial arts world with news on his future.
UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre said he will step away from mixed martial arts for a undermined period of time, saying he needs to take stock of his life, saying “it’s a frickin’ zoo”.
Rumors had swirled for weeks leading up to St-Pierre’s fight against Johny Hendricks that the Canadian champion would walk away from the sport.
The 32-year-old edged out Hendricks in a controversial split decision in the main even at UFC 167, and hinted in an emotional post-fight interview he was stale and needed to get away from fighting and preparing to defend his title.
St-Pierre said he would vacate the belt and stay away from the sport for an undetermined period of time, but did not say he was retiring completely
“I’m content,” St-Pierre said. “It’s a lot of things I wanted to do. I wanted to be the greatest, and also I said before when I do things, I want to do things to be remembered, to make a difference in the sport, make the sport reach another level. I’m trying to do it during my last fight. Unfortunately, it did not work. These people are not ready for it. I tried to do my best.”
“If I decide to come back, I will be at the top of the game.”
The three-time Canadian sportsman of the year has been outstanding as a competitor for the UFC, standing as champion twice since 2006 while posting a 25-2 record.
The fighter said he was 100 percent healthy and ready to physically compete, but mentally he was ill-prepared to step in the cage at this time saying he had personal issues he needed to address before facing another fight.
Hendricks and Robbie Lawler will fight for the vacant welterweight title at UFC 171.
.
COMMENTS