As fans await any updates regarding the potential Octagon return of former UFC 170-pound king Georges St-Pierre, his recent interview with Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour,” where he announced his intentions to return to the sport pending a deal being reached with UFC management, continues to get dissected.
This weekend, the popular excerpt making the rounds stems from GSP’s comments about fighter pay in the UFC. St-Pierre spoke about allowing his team to deal with the UFC negotiations before committing to anything specific regarding an Octagon return.
“That’s how it should be done,” St-Pierre said on the MMAFighting.com program regarding allowing his management team to handle the process of negotiating with the UFC, regardless of how long it takes to reach a deal. “That’s the problem with a lot of guys who complain they don’t get paid enough. It’s because they’re ready to sign anything. They got caught with their emotion and they sign anything. They’re going to fight for peanuts. You don’t want to do that. If you do that, you’ve penalized the other guys who want to get paid more.
St-Pierre, who called out Michael Bisping for a potential UFC Middleweight Title shot, concluded by pointing out his belief that it’s easy for the UFC to keep the rate on the lower end when they can get someone else “nearly for free” if a high-paying fighter refuses to compete.
“Why would they (the UFC) pay some guys more money if they can get another guy almost for free, you know what I mean? As partners, I think they should be more aware of this. It’s important.”
Georges St-Pierre last fought in the UFC at UFC 167 in November 16, 2013, edging out Johny Hendricks via a hard-fought decision victory.
