Georges St-Pierre is looking into making a UFC comeback, and boxing trainer Freddie Roach said on Thursday that St-Pierre will be coming out to him in the next week and a half to kick off the six-week test training camp he had discussed earlier this month.
While Roach said in an interview with the LA Times that St-Pierre would decide at the end of that camp whether he would fight again or whether he’d “call it quits,” UFC President Dana White expressed doubts that the former Welterweight Champion will actually return.
“I highly doubt it’s going to happen because GSP’s been off for too long and has a ton of money,” White said. “You don’t do a six-week camp to learn if you have the hunger. You either know it or not. Robbie Lawler knows it, he’s hungry, he trains like an animal. You’re either hungry and an animal or you’re not.
“It’d be great if he comes back, yes, I love Georges St-Pierre — amazing athlete — but comeback talk? I laugh at it. To be a world champion, you have to be hungry.
“That’s not GSP. Not even close.”
Penick’s Analysis: How condescending is White’s response? Seriously. His reaction to St-Pierre’s desire to take time off in the first place was asinine back in 2013, and this here is a completely ridiculous write off to what could be a serious effort on St-Pierre’s part. And using Lawler is a piss poor comparison, because for as much as the current Welterweight Champion is wholly on his game in 2015, there have been many stretches in his career where he hasn’t trained like he was “hungry” or an “animal.” In fact, I’d argue he’s proof of why White’s comments are so far off base. A switch can be flipped for a fighter in this sport, and it could very well be that this mini camp is what reignites that in St-Pierre to make his return.
[Photo (c) Jason Silva via USA Today Sports]
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