Georges St-Pierre is no longer under any obligation to the UFC.
The former UFC welterweight champion recently announced that he’s officially a free agent.
Previously there were rumors he would be returning in Toronto set UFC 206, hinted by Dana White himself. But it looks like GSP’s UFC return is not happening, at least any time soon. He made the announcement on The MMA Hour saying in unambiguous terms he is a free agent.
GSP says his lawyer terminated his contract after giving UFC a deadline to fight on his old deal. Sounds like it’s not a mutual decision.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) October 17, 2016
St-Pierre says that his lawyer was able to cancel the contract because the UFC failed to offer him a fight in time.
“It was like a shock, because we felt like we were making progress, we were almost there.” St-Pierre said. He then hired a lawyer and said lawyer gave the UFC a legal deadline to offer him a fight. He was originally supposed to face Robbie Lawler but after Lawler’s knockout loss he had to take a break.
However UFC released a statement saying he’s still under contract:
Opening salvoes in what’s sure to be an ugly battle. GSP will win the war for public opinion if White sticks with his current tack, though. pic.twitter.com/tR3vlvrfoE
— Patrick Wyman (@Patrick_Wyman) October 18, 2016
Interestingly, GSP believes new owners are to blame:
GSP believes a deal could’ve been reached if Lorenzo was still there, “but when the new owners came, all the offers were off the table.”
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) October 17, 2016
On the other side Tristar wizard Firas Zahabi inquired to the general public about interest in a Ben Askren match.
That’s would be crazy!! https://t.co/WvzXnFgmqd
— Firas Zahabi (@Firas_Zahabi) October 17, 2016
And even made a poll questioning the general public who’d they most like to see fight against GSP:
GSP vs Your Dream fight suggestions. Now polling.
— Firas Zahabi (@Firas_Zahabi) October 17, 2016
A photo posted by Georges St-Pierre (@georgesstpierre) on
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.