MONDAY NEWS DIGEST: GSP’s coach says he’ll return for “epic” and “most interesting” fight (w/ Heydorn’s analysis)

BY ZACK HEYDORN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Georges St. Pierre may not be the UFC middleweight title holder any longer, but he continues to make news. In an interview over the weekend on TSN, GSP’s coach, Firas Zahabi, revealed what the next move from GSP would likely be. Zahabi said, “I think Georges is gonna get better, get back in the gym.” “He’s gonna feel his body out and see what he wants, what’s the most interesting, epic fight out there. Mayweather? McGregor? We need a mega-fight.” “Georges will come back for a big, exciting fight.”

St. Pierre is a UFC legend and multiple time champion. He returned to the UFC at UFC 217 after a four year layoff and defeated Michael Bisping to become the UFC middleweight champion. That fight was strictly seen as a money fight and was heavily criticized by the MMA media. The scrutiny and criticism continued after GSP vacated the championship just a month after winning it due to medical issues. In addition to vacating the title, GSP said that he has no intention of fighting in the middleweight division again.

Heydorn’s Analysis: GSP is becoming to the UFC what Brock Lesnar currently is to the WWE. A special attraction that only fights on his terms and on the biggest cards possible. He’s becoming a mercenary of sorts and with that comes a certain freedom that other fighters don’t have. I don’t see GSP/Mayweather happening anytime soon and I don’t believe there is a public demand for that fight either. If I’m GSP, the McGregor fight would be the goal. I believe that McGregor/GSP would be the biggest fight in UFC history and if they can book it in 2018, they will without looking back.

MONDAY NEWS NOTEBOOK

Fox announces the replay of UFC 218. Fox announced today that it would air UFC 218 live on Christmas Eve. The UFC did the same thing last year with UFC 206 and it was a choice that proved to be very successful in that it drew 4.7 million viewers. UFC 218 featured Max Holloway vs. Jose Aldo 2 for the featherweight championship and a highlight reel fight between Francis Ngannou and Alistair Overeem.

Heydorn’s Analysis: I love this idea and I especially love it for UFC 218. That show featured up and coming stars that are primed to have big years in 2018. Especially Ngannou who has a main event championship fight against Stipe Miocic in January at UFC 220. Ngannou’s knockout of Overeem was heralded as the best of the year and now a large audience will get to see it. Smart move by the UFC.

UFC St. Louis main event is set. Jeremy Stephens vs. Doo Ho Choi will be the main event of UFC Fight Night 124 in St. Louis. The UFC confirmed the news this past weekend on the UFC on Fox 26 broadcast. UFC FN 124 takes place on Saturday January 14th in 2018.

The death of Robert Follis has been ruled a suicide. MMA Fighting is reporting that the death of legendary UFC coach, Robert Follis, was a suicide. The coroners office told MMA Fighting that Follis died on Friday due to a gunshot wound to the head. Follis was 48 years of age.

Heydorn’s Analysis: This is such a sad story. Follis was a legend in the business and will be missed tremendously. My thoughts are with his family at this time.

Josh Emmett open to a rematch with Ricardo Lamas. After dismantling Ricardo Lamas this weekend at the UFC on Fox event, Josh Emmett said he’d be more than open to accepting a rematch in the near future. At his post-fight press conference, Emmett said of the rematch possibility, “Of course. He did this for me. He didn’t have to take this fight. You know, he’s one of the best guys in the world.” “It was risky for him. He probably could’ve sat back and waited for the Edgar-Holloway fight and get a title fight, or fight Ortega and the winner of that would get a title fight.” “I’m truly grateful for him accepting the fight. And then, as well as even with me missing the weight, he still took it.”

Heydorn’s Analysis: With this move, Emmett shows what a good sport as person he is. That’s about all it does though. Emmett took care of business and shocked the world by defeating Lamas the way he did. That said, he was over the weight limit and in my mind that absolutley impacted the outcome. Emmett’s star has never been as bright as it is now and he should capitalize on that. Facing Lamas again could expose him as a one hit wonder and a bigger fight may not be available to him again if he loses. I respect Emmett for doing this, but from a business standpoint it isn’t a smart move.

Contact Zack at heydornzack@gmail.com and follow Zack on Twitter at https://twitter.com/zheydorn


NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS NEWS: FRIDAY NEWS DIGEST: Holly Holm’s coach predicts a victory against Cyborg at UFC 219 (w/ Heydorn’s analysis)

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