UFC
UFC Champ Georges St-Pierre eying November return; still wants Nick Diaz bout
Jan 17, 2012 - 12:00:50 PM UFC Champ Georges St-Pierre eying November return; still wants Nick Diaz bout

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre appeared on Monday's new edition of HDNet's "Inside MMA" and gave an update on his recovery after undergoing knee surgery last month. While it was feared the injury and recovery time could keep him out of action for the entirety of 2012, the Champ is certainly aiming for an earlier return than that.

"Hard training will be in July, and fighting again for the timing to get back I would say beginning of November," he said. "Late October or the beginning of November, that'd be great."

An Interim Welterweight Championship bout will take place on February 4 at UFC 143 between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit, the two men whom St-Pierre had been matched up against before injuries took him out of both fights. St-Pierre has respect for the skills of both fighters, but said he does have a preference of who he'd like to face.

"Carlos Condit is a very nice guy... I like him a lot; but the reason I wish for Nick Diaz to win that fight is because I want to fight Nick Diaz," St-Pierre said. "I hope the best man will win, and if the best man is Nick Diaz, I will appreciate it more because it will be a better buildup for the fight."

Penick's Analysis: Even if Diaz defeats Condit, St-Pierre could still potentially miss out on that fight if Diaz gets beat in a subsequent Interim Title bout. The winner of the UFC 143 main event is probably going to defend that belt again this summer, barring injury, most likely against the Jake Ellenberger-Diego Sanchez winner, but potentially against someone else in the division. Still, there's probably going to be one more Interim Title fight, then the winner of that will face St-Pierre. Regardless, it's good news that he's going to be ready for this year. That's great news, and fans can only hope he's able to return somewhere close to 100% with that knee injury.