Georges St. Pierre Reacts To Rory MacDonald Signing With Bellator
Rory MacDonald has long been considered to be the heir to George St. Pierre’s previously held welterweight throne. St. Pierre reigned over the UFC 170-pound division for years before vacating the title in 2013, but MacDonald was unable to seize the strap after losing a five round war to then champion Robbie Lawler at July 2015’s UFC 189. Now, the “Red King” has left the UFC as it was recently announced that he had signed a deal with Bellator MMA.
It may have surprised some to see one of the best welterweights on the planet leave the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, but St. Pierre couldn’t be happier for MacDonald and his decision:
“Oh, I am very happy for Rory. I think it’s a great move for him. He chose the best option for himself and his family. I wish him the best. We’re going to train together still. I’m very happy for him. He found a new home to make more money and, if the conditions of work are better, I’m happy. I’m all for that.” St. Pierre recently told Uproxx.
As far as “Rush’s’ fighting future goes, the former champion recently made it clear that he plans to return to action after nearly three years away from the sport, and it was even rumored that he would be headlining UFC 206 in his home of Canada. An opponent has yet to be named, although current champion Tyron Woodley and former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz both appear to be reasonable options. In fact, Woodley reached out to St. Pierre to express his interest in the bout, but the Canadian said it’s simply up to the promotion who he faces off with:
“What happened is that, he (Woodley) texted me and I don’t know him very well, but he texted me and he explained that he challenged me and he wanted to do it because he wanted to fight the best. He didn’t want me to take anything as disrespect, and I didn’t take it as disrespect. He’s a competitor and I said, ‘If you want to do it, let’s do it. I’m ready to fight you.’ But it’s not my decision, the UFC is a business and the way it works, because UFC is a business, they have to choose what’s best for them.”
Who would you like to see St. Pierre face off with in his return?
