Georges is a free man.
This is – without a doubt – the biggest free agency in MMA history.
Georges St-Pierre, arguably the GOAT but at LEAST in anyone’s top 3, is now a free agent.
We’ve been hearing for months that GSP has been in talks with the UFC to make a deal. Rumors were that the big issue was that GSP has a massive sponsorshop from Underarmor, which would conflict with the UFC’s Reebok deal. Dana white was saying that GSP just didn’t want to fight anymore, that he didn’t have it in him, etc etc.
“Dana is such a good promoter that he convinced people I don’t want to fight.” – GSP
The UFC violated their contract with Georges by failing to offer him a fight, which resulted in the contract becoming void…
“The reason I wanted to go back and fight is because i feel right now that I’m at my best,” St-Pierre said. “I’m truly confident I can beat the guys that are champions right now. I’m that confident. At least I’m a free man. Now, I know I’m free. I have other options. I’m not caught up legally with a contract. I’m a free man.”
The UFC said they would be taking too big of a financial risk on GSP, who wanted to headline UFC 206 at the Air Canada Center, which he is confidant he could have sold out – again – in a matter of minutes.
Georges has been vocal against certain UFC practices in the past, especially during the whole drug testing fiasco prior to his fight against Hendricks. GSP has been an advocate for fighters. We’re always said that for changes to happen with fighter pay, it’s going to take the people that are actually earning the most to make waves. Prelim fighters complaining about thier pay isn’t going to change anything, but when you have the best of the best starting to join the discussion, positive things can happen.
GSP isn’t the only G.O.A.T of a weightclass who was looking for other opportunities. Jose Aldo has also been very vocal in wanting to have his contract terminated. It will be interesting to see if he can take any pointers from GSP’s playbook. That would be another huge loss for the UFC. Maybe not in terms of ticket or PPV sales, but certainly in terms of talent and true martial arts.
GSP took a long leave of absence after his last fight, for numerous reasons. He had been absorbing more shots to the head than previously in his career, he was unhappy with how the UFC was running thigsn and treating fighters, and the incredible amount of disrespect paid to him after his most recent title defense seems to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
After GSP decided to fight again, it would appear recent negotiations with the UFC didn’t go very well.
Could we see GSP joining Rory over in Bellator?
(featured image via http://combatlifestyle.com/)
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