“If I feel good, I’ll give the thumbs up to my manager. They’ve been talking with UFC, but now they’re going to talk more seriously to see what’s gonna happen… [The Reebok deal] changed a lot of things in my contract. We need to renegotiate maybe a new contract. I’m not allowed to wear my sponsors anymore, and I lose money. It depends how it’s gonna go down with the UFC. We’ll see what’s gonna happen… I feel more comfortable now working with the UFC. I’m not on bad terms with nobody. I understand it’s a business. [UFC president] Dana [White] has said stuff, because he’s said things that satisfy his interests and it’s normal. I say things that satisfy my own interests. Everybody tries to do the best for themselves. It’s nothing personal. I don’t take it personally… I haven’t discussed all the possibilities with the UFC. Maybe the negotiations won’t go well. A lot of things can happen.”
-GSP talks to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour about the state of negotiations with the UFC and why the Reebok deal is a significant hang-up in bringing him back to the cage.
Penick’s Analysis: Essentially, if the UFC wants him back, they’re going to have to make up for whatever they’re costing him in sponsorship by having the Reebok deal in place. That’s something they need to deal with for a lot of guys, but the cost is going to be significantly higher to keep St-Pierre happy. If they won’t come to terms on that end, then perhaps we won’t see St-Pierre back. It’s a real sticking point, and he’s right to demand that money be accounted for should he come back.
[Photo (c) Jason Silva via USA Today Sports]
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