UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre is getting ready for a much-awaited return to the martial arts world. He is expected to make his comeback at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational grappling event in December.
This happens to be the first time in many years that “GSP” has fought in a martial arts tournament since he was busy in his post-retirement with other businesses like appearing as Batroc the Leaper in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Georges St-Pierre’s most recent bout was at UFC 217 in 2017, which marked his first fight following a four-year sabbatical. ‘GSP’ faced Michael Bisping for the middleweight belt and won by third-round submission. However, St-Pierre gave up the title a month later after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
Just when i thought i was out.
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) July 7, 2023
They pull me back in!
Professional Submission Wrestling & Jiu-Jitsu pic.twitter.com/wbOy7HMNCF
Georges St-Pierre discussed his comeback in a recent interview at a UFC 290 pre-fight event, and journalists questioned if Khabib Nurmagomedov, Anderson Silva, and Kamaru Usman were among the competitors he was seeking to face. He stated, “They are all very attractive, but everybody has a different agenda. I have received a list from the UFC today, and we’re going to check who’s available.”
GSP and his team are yet to decide on whom he is going to fight, but the possible contenders among these names were also on the list that the UFC provided him.
4 things to remember prior to GSP’s return to Combat Sports
As per reports from Bleacher Report, When GSP reclaimed the championship from Matt Serra in their rematch in 2008, nobody expected the Canadian king to rule the throne like his predecessor, Matt Hughes. It appeared impossible for him to surpass one of the best fighters in MMA history in the welterweight class.
1. Undisputed 9 consecutive title defenses
GSP, like Hughes, is a two-time welterweight champion. When it comes to title reigns, though, St-Pierre is the sole champion in UFC welterweight history who has defended his title nine times in a row, nearly double Hughes’ record. Of course, he was also raised by the company while reigning as the UFC welterweight champion. He was constantly addressed, often in the same league as Anderson Silva.
2. A true gentleman to the sport
St-Pierre added dimension to the sport, his title, and the division. He was an honest guy in a sport that ridicules such honesty when it confesses fear, yet St-Pierre was courageous when addressing his own concerns in the most public of circumstances. GSP drew enormous crowds without the fiery oratory style of competitors like Conor McGregor or his predecessor, Chael Sonnen.
3. A formidable and skillful fighter
GSP has had a fantastic run. When you take a closer look, he’s not very aggressive. He wasn’t particularly dominant either. But was incredibly competent. GSP utilizes a diverse range of skills and is incredibly tactical and accurate in his execution, which results in his advantage rather than merely playing the game. And it’s possible that’s what made him so fearsome in the cage.
4. Multi-division Champion
Georges’ St-Pierre returned to the ring bloodied and bruised but undefeated. He became the fourth fighter in MMA history to win multiple divisions in 2017 (talk about a comeback!). He submitted Michael Bisping in the third round, securing GSP’s Middleweight Championship. His time in the ring, however, was brief but impactful.
The grappling opponent who will welcome “GSP” back is unknown, but the legend knows it will be a wonderful task and sight for everyone. “There’s a few options I’m going to look at with the UFC people, my agent and we’re going to try to make the UFC, I, and most importantly, the fans happy,” GSP stated.
Georges St-Pierre held the titles of two-time welterweight champion and one-time middleweight champion during his career in the UFC. A lot of people consider him to be the greatest MMA fighter to ever compete in the cage.