GSP: I Fight For The Legitimacy Of My Sport, I’m Not Afraid Of Dana White
Former longtime UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre sent shockwaves through the sport of MMA when he vacated the belt following a controversial split decision win over Johny Hendricks at last November ‘s UFC 167.
He cited a need of time off to deal with personal issues; however, it seems like we’ve heard more from “GSP” in the media than we ever did during his reign. UFC president Dana White deemed St. Pierre a bit off his rocker for his public statements, but the former champ is apparently standing firm in his beliefs about drug testing, fighter treatment, and other issues in the UFC.
St. Pierre met up with “TSN’s “Off The Record” to discuss that he has no animosity towards White, only the current system in place in the UFC. As one of the few people not afraid to speak up and let their opinions be heard, St. Pierre believes it’s time for a big change:
“What do I want to attack? I want to attack the system. I don’t want to attack the individual. People have to understand, I don’t want to attack the UFC. I’m one of the guys that stands for the sport, stands for the UFC. I want to do that to help the brand, help the sport. I’m one of the guys that fights for the legitimacy of my sport. I think right now there is a big problem. When I came out with this I got so many text messages from guys who are afraid to speak. Not even fighters, reporters are afraid to lose their credentials, but they tell me ‘You’re doing the right thing. We support you.’
Lorenzo is the boss. You have to understand, I’m not afraid or mad at Dana. Dana is the promoter. He said stuff and I don’t take it personally. Dana is the business guy. He’s a promoter and it’s his role as a businessman to want to make a rematch [with Johny Hendricks] because it will attract a lot of people. That’s his role. He doesn’t care if you like it or love it or hate it, he wants you to tune in. That’s the main role of Dana White. He did it well. Everyone reacted. He doesn’t care if people say, ‘Oh he’s so bad!’ No, he’s not. He’s a promoter. Probably the best promoter in the world right now, of all sports.” – transcribed via MMA Mania
Sounds like St. Pierre is still irked over White’s insistence on booking him in an immediate rematch with Hendricks after the close call. The president said that St. Pierre simply could not step away from the sport as champion, and that he would have a rematch booked in two weeks.
That never materialized, and St. Pierre’s status as an active fighter is still completely up in the air. But with that said, St. Pierre is doing work that many former UFC fighters are supporting, as well. Fighter treatment and other problems, many of them centered on White, have become seemingly rampant in recent weeks, with Gilbert Melendez leaving the UFC for Bellator and Nate Quarry strangely bashing the promotion online.
It’s good to see some of the fighters finally stand up for themselves. After all, they are the ones who are putting their bodies on the line for the excitement of the fans. They’re some of the most resilient, dedicated, and skilled athletes on the face of the Earth.
And they deserved to be treated as such. Will the actions of St. Pierre and others spark an upcoming revolution in how UFC fighters are treated?
Photo: Jason Silva for USA TODAY Sports
