Georges St. Pierre’s Manager Says Former Champ Has No Plans To Return In 2015
Ever since Georges St. Pierre vacated the welterweight belt he had held for so long in 2013, the UFC’s welterweight division has become invigorated with a plethora of new contenders. Recently, however, the division has seen many twists and turns.
After GSP announced his semi-retirement, Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler battled it out in a five-round war for the vacant title at UFC 171 in March 2014. Hendricks got the better of Lawler earning a very close decision win.
After getting back to work quickly, viciously knocking out Jake Ellenberger at UFC 173 in May 2014 and edging out Matt Brown in yet another five-round clash at UFC on FOX 12 last July, Lawler had put himself in line for another title shot.
Hendricks and Lawler went on to rematch at UFC 181 on December 6, 2014 and it was another very close and entertaining fight. However, this time Lawler was able to get the job down and secure a split decision win to win the welterweight championship.
With “Ruthless” as the new champion, there are many questions as to who will be his next challenger. Prior to the UFC 181 title fight, the UFC had announced that Rory MacDonald would receive the next shot at gold, but after how close the rematch was, the UFC decided that they would rather like to do the trilogy bout between Lawler and “Bigg Rigg”. In a crazy turn of events, it looks like neither of these fights will happen.
It was recently made clear that the promotion is targeting a MacDonald vs. Hector Lombard bout for later this year. That would make sense if Hendricks was going to get the shot, but it was also recently announced that Hendricks is set to meet Matt Brown at UFC 185 in March. So who will take on Lawler next?
Of course right away, all eyes went to former welterweight king GSP and rumors about his potential return were surfacing once again. And it would make sense right? MacDonald and Hendricks both take title eliminator fights and St. Pierre sets up for a huge summer return to challenge for the belt. Well, that potential idea will not be happening according to “Rush’s” manager who spoke up with MMAJunkie on the topic:
“There is no plan for 2015,” manager Rodolphe Beaulieu said. We are working on a few projects, but nothing related for him coming back in the Octagon.”
Fans have many reasons to believe that the Canadian superstar will return, including UFC president Dana White constantly saying he believes the former champ will be back as well as the fact that GSP recently returned to full training after suffering a knee injury shortly after he vacated the belt, but unfortunately, his manager has shut down all the rumors.
Although it’s not looking food for 2015, will we one day see GSP back in the Octagon?
