One of the greatest MMA fighters of all time is set to make his return to the octagon after a more than three-year absence.
Former longtime UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has ended his “hiatus” from competition and signed a new deal with the UFC, according to the Los Angeles Times, who received confirmation directly from company president Dana White.
Earlier this week, it was reported that St-Pierre finalizing plans with the UFC brass to make his long-awaited and much discussed return to the octagon. The deal is finally done, meaning “Rush” will fight this year and bring some much-needed star power to the UFC roster.
“It could be the winner (of the March 4 welterweight title fight) between Tyron Woodley and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, or it could be (middleweight champion) Michael Bisping,” White said. “Georges has also talked about fighting at 155 pounds (lightweight). He says he can make the weight.
“But I have no idea when he’s going to fight right now. We don’t have anything booked and literally haven’t talked to anybody about it.”
With big-name fighters such as Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar either taking time off, suspended or retired, the timing of St-Pierre’s return couldn’t be better for the UFC in need of a significant year of revenue.
The deal comes four months after St-Pierre revealed an impasse with his longtime promoter amid a contract renegotiation and declared himself a free agent. He later aligned himself with the fledgling MMA Athletes Association, promising to fight for better treatment of UFC fighters.
Recently, there have been signs of reconciliation between St-Pierre and the UFC. Middleweight champion Michael Bisping went on “The MMA Hour” to declare the promotion was close to re-signing “Rush” and talked up a fight, which he once reported as a possibility to headline UFC 206 before St-Pierre himself shot it down. Then White told TSN that he’d spoken to St-Pierre and smoothed out their differences.
St-Pierre hasn’t fought since 2013, when he outpointed Johny Hendricks by split decision in a brutal fight. He subsequently announced he was stepping away from the sport and vacated his belt, though he did not declare he had officially retired.
This past year, the former champ gave more indications he was interested in getting back into the octagon, though White dismissed many of them.
Current welterweight champ Woodley (16-3-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) and Thompson (13-1-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC), who are set for a rematch next month at UFC 209, have both said if St-Pierre returns, he should get an immediate title shot in his former division.
For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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