MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre has announced his return to competition in a grappling match with UFC, seeking to help the organization grow and reach wider audiences; yet, his opponent remains undetermined.
Georges St-Pierre, a two-time UFC welterweight champion and one of the most accomplished fighters of all time, has announced his return to competition, but not in MMA. Instead, St-Pierre plans to participate in a grappling match at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 on the 14th of December in Las Vegas. This would be his first competition since retiring from the UFC in 2017. While the date is set for his return, St-Pierre’s opponent remains uncertain.
In an interview, St-Pierre explained his decision to return, stating his love for jiu-jitsu and grappling. He shared his belief that grappling appeals to a wider audience since many people shy away from MMA to avoid brain damage. When the UFC expressed interest in promoting grappling, St-Pierre felt compelled to participate and help the sport grow. His ultimate goal is to assist the UFC in attracting larger audiences and hosting shows in bigger arenas.
St-Pierre is cognizant of the fact that there are still many factors up in the air – such as weight and ruleset – but he emphasizes that the paramount concern is to get fans interested. He has expressed a preference for an MMA veteran or someone from the MMA world over someone from the world of grappling. He also acknowledges that while he’s a complete fighter, he isn’t a specialist in grappling – a fact that adds an element of adventure to this new phase of his life.
Fans have been intrigued by the possibilities for his opponent, with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Nick Diaz being popular choices. However, St-Pierre is unsure if a match with Nurmagomedov would materialize, as he believes the highly regarded fighter is retired and likely out of the martial arts circuit. A rematch with former rival Diaz seems more plausible to St-Pierre, highlighting Diaz’s experience as a grappler. He also mentions current UFC welterweights like Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington as options, but acknowledges the slim chances of coordinating with their fights schedules.