Robbie Lawler: GSP ‘Most Definitely’ Doesn’t Want To Fight Me
Former longtime UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre announced earlier this week that he had terminated his contract after the promotion failed to offer him a fight by a specific deadline that his lawyer had set in place. It was rumored that St. Pierre, who hasn’t competed since 2013, was gearing up to make his return at December 10’s UFC 206, but that is now out of the question.
The ex-champion did, however, admit that the UFC sent him a letter expressing interest in a possible bout between him and fellow former titleholder Robbie Lawler, but because there was no date or venue included, he saw it as a breach in his contract. “Rush” also said that Lawler wasn’t healthy enough to accept the bout.
The “Ruthless” one, who’s coming off of a brutal knockout loss to Tyron Woodley last July, briefly agreed to a fight with Donald Cerrone at November 12’s UFC 205, but withdrew due to personal reasons, although those reasons don’t include his health:
“I think everyone just kind of assumes [health] is the issue, but that’s not the facts,” Lawler told ESPN. “It’s one of those things where I wanted to take a step back and realize what I wanted and why I wanted it. My whole life I’ve went out there and strived, and this time I needed to take a step back, relax and not rush it — make sure all the pieces were in the perfect place.”
“He (GSP) says he was offered a fight against me but I wasn’t healthy or whatever. He’s basically trying to read between the lines like other people, not knowing what’s the matter with me,” Lawler said. “Nothing is the matter with me. Do you accept the fight or not? That’s the real question, right? Because I’m ready to fight right now. Did you accept it or not? I’m guessing you didn’t. Don’t try to hide behind, ‘I’m not healthy.’ That’s not the facts.”
“[UFC president Dana White] said it the whole time, ‘GSP does not want to fight,’ and he most definitely does not want to fight me, period.”
“I’m always ready to fight that guy. I’ve been training my whole life to fight a guy like him — and him, in particular. So don’t use my name or try to hide behind something you think might be happening but is not. If he doesn’t want the fight, shut up.”
While a fight with St. Pierre doesn’t appear to be in the near future for Lawler, the former champ did say that he has been in contact with White regarding his next bout:
“I’m always ready to go,” Lawler said. “I’ve been talking to Dana, figuring some stuff out. I’m making sure he knows that I’m training.”
Who would you like to see Lawler fight next?
