Georges St-Pierre has been known as 'Rush' throughout his illustrious career. Since he defeated Michael Bisping last November, rush is the last thing that St-Pierre plans on doing as others line up to fight the Canadian mixed martial artist.
On Saturday, MMAFighting's Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC originally planned on having a mini tournament that featured GSP, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz and current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. The plans have been put on a shelf seemingly due to McGregor's infamous outburst at UFC 223 in April as well as St-Pierre recovering from ulcerative colitis.
It's all what the UFC's plan to have St-Pierre and Diaz fight on the UFC 227 card in Los Angeles, Calif. Dana White wanted the two to co-main event the card in his 'perfect world.'
“I’m not ready to fight yet,” St-Pierre said. “I need to wait until all the symptoms of my ulcer stop. It’s much better than it was but it’s not 100 percent yet. If I try to return for a training camp for a fight it will amplify and go back to what it was in the beginning. I need to get over this first for my own health and safety.”
It's been nearly half a year since doctors diagnosed the former champion with colitis. The diagnosis cost St-Pierre the middleweight championship, and forced the 37-year-old to permanently vow to stay away from the division. With St-Pierre moving down in weight class, Nurmagomedov is now calling his shot.
Nurmagomedov claimed his first championship in April at UFC 223. Despite fans wanting him to put the title on the line against McGregor, who was vacated of the title in favor of Nurmagomedov, he reportedly isn't that interested in McGregor. The potential mega-fight isn't appealing enough. Instead the Russian, hopes to be next in line to face St-Pierre.
"I want a fight with Georges St-Pierre in New York at Madison Square Garden," Nurmagomedov said during his octagon interview. Weeks after the win, Khabib's interest in St-Pierre hasn't changed. The lightweight champion's team confirmed to Helwani that they have their sights set on St-Pierre.
For St-Pierre, the feeling is mutual as he calls it 'a much better fight' and 'more of a win-win situation,' per ESPN. But it's all dependent on his health.
The UFC hasn't made a return to MSG official as of June, but reports suggest Nov. 3 could serve as the date for UFC 230 in New York. It would be nearly a year removed from St-Pierre's last appearance in the octagon. But that doesn't guarentee his health to be fully recovered. St-Pierre is the only person who knows when Georges St-Pierre will fight next. No matter how many bait him to a bout.