Georges St-Pierre still has a lot of love for the promotion which propelled its ascent to the Superstard.
Life after fighting has treated the St-Pierre of Canada since he retired while holding the UFC's average weight title in 2017. A former UFC champion with two divisions and the renowned temple, St-Pierre always looks physically as well as ever, and has piled up potential yields in the two boxing and attacking in the past eight years. At one point, a boxing of boxing against his other Oscar legend of the Hoya seemed to be a real possibility, but St-Pierre was still under the UFC contract and the promotion prevented him from competing.
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Despite this stumbling block, as well as its somewhat tumultuous past relationship with the CEO of the UFC, Dana White, St-Pierre has no bad will and is undoubtedly in a better place than ever with her former employer.
“I am on good terms with Dana,” said St-Pierre “The Ariel Helwani Show from Non-Couronne”. “I saw him in Saudi Arabia (recently), and we are good friends. We are talking about things we couldn't talk about (as I think). I am incredible. I have an excellent relationship with Dana and I love her.”
St-Pierre, 43, reigned on the perch at 170 pounds for essentially his entire career. Since leaving the sport, there has been a handful of successors with the Welter weight throne. The Belal Muhammad is currently seated at the top of the division while it is preparing for its first defense of title in front of Jack Della Maddalena on May 10 at UFC 315, which descends to the hometown of Montreal in St-Pierre. It is a big mountain to climb, but the ascent of Muhammad to reach the divisional record of St-Pierre of nine consecutive defends in the event now begins.
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Muhammad, 36, was on an impressive section, having remained undefeated during his last 11 fights. Thanks to his success, Muhammad was a confident champion who made many daring affirmations, as recently declaring that he almost supposed the coat as the biggest Welter weight of all time. But that's what St-Pierre thinks that fans are confused: confidence is mistaken with arrogance.
“I wish him good luck, and maybe he will be the goat,” said St-Pierre about Muhammad's claims. “I told you about the ego earlier – I try to dissociate myself with my ego. A guy who does not do it will always look like:” No! Because I have more title defenses than him! “But the man, I wish him the best chance.
“He is very qualified. He has all the tools he needs to become the goat. Not only in my division, the goat in all he has a lot of pride and ego, because you need it in this game.
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“If it would not be, people sometimes do not understand – (they think) that it is a kind of arrogance. I do not see it as a kind of arrogance or insult. I see it as a competitive spirit. Someone who is very competitive and very proud, and has a very great hope and a faith in itself.”
These days, St-Pierre is happy to be simply an MMA fan rather than an active participant. Aside from his former divisions, he is extremely intrigued by the same fight that captured the imagination of almost everyone in sport: the hypothetical champion of heavy goods vehicles between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, which remains stuck in a cycle of apparently perpetual negotiations.
Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones pose for photos during the introductory class of the UFC renowned 2020. (Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC)
(Jeff Bottari via Getty Images)
Aspinall, the acting champion of the UFC, was left to stay patient while he sticks to his combat weapons only in a unification at his next time or to be appointed undisputed champion in the absence of Jones. Overall, this is a troubled situation – not helped by Jones' apparent reluctance to make a decision. However, if St-Pierre can offer advice to Aspinall, it is to follow his old mentality.
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“I think Tommy must focus on the following task,” said St-Pierre. “I remember when I lost against Matt Serra – I was making the mistake of trying to focus on Matt Serra to get my revenge match immediately, but I had a few other fights before to get it. And (Aspinall is) only on Jon Jones – but if Jon Jones does not come back right away. Will be done.
“In terms of inheritance and accomplishment, Jon Jones is the best. I understand that Tom, from his point of view, that he is a fighter, he wants to beat the best – but now everything depends on what Jon wants to do. Jon wants to do this? If he does not concentrate outside his control, and he was wasted a lot of energy outside, and outside, and he was in the process, and he was in the process, and he was in the process, and he was in the process, and he was in the process. Some need to self-use to focus on the next thing, and be hungry for the next task.
