Georges St. Pierre Hiatus/Vacating title thing

[Kevin Hamilton]

What's the consensus on this?

On a fan level, it sucks for me as he's my favorite fighter, so not getting to see the dude fight is shitty; and there's just something "off" about the whole thing really. I get the personal issues and stuff, but it really comes off like a real-life HBK losing his smile thing, only GSP is giving up a legitimate title rather than just a kayfabe one. I do understand him not fighting if he's not really into it, and physically and such that's a smart decision, and thus can't judge the dude for that, but I don't know, just seems like there must be more behind the scenes or something. Also, you wonder what would've happened if he'd a)beaten Hendricks sans controversy or b) Hendricks had won the decision.

I am curious to see what happens to the Welterweight title after the upcoming match up, and in the ensuing months or years; and of course if GSP comes back to fight for it again or just fades away. One would think he would attempt a comeback sometime down the line, but hell, who knows?

Can't really buy Dana being as all supportive as he's put out there can ya? I mean, he's saying all the right things, but on some level he's GOT to be pissed that one of his main draws is straight up flaking out on him or whatever, especially since Silva's future has to be completely in doubt now.

What say you guys and gals- what's your take on the situation, what would you like to see happen now and in the future with the Welterweight division, over/under on when GSP returns etc. Whatcha think?

[Emmet Russell]

You know, I wouldn't mind him taking a long hiatus if I didn't feel that he lost to Johny Hendricks the last time he fought. Unfortunately it does feel like he's ducking the rematch, whether he is or isn't. If the match had been more decisive there would be less issues from people about him taking the time off.

I don't think he should vacate it though. He's still their champion & vacating a title only diminishes quite a lot of it's value, in my opinion.

[rawthentic]

I think he'll come back in a year or so. I'm fine with him leaving. If he has too much shit going on to focus on fighting, then he's doing the right thing for himself. Maybe GSP can't maintain the level of training that makes him who he is at this time. Maybe we saw some of the effects of that in his fight with Hendricks. Dana White played supportive at the end, but leading up to it he was anything but. Dana White feels GSP owes the UFC a torch passing. It's like in wrestling when somebody is retiring or leaving they have to job out..only you can't force that in MMA.

WW division will be alright and i think this opens things up for a lot of parity..like in the LW division. I think Hendricks will win the vacant belt but he's plenty beatable by a few guys in the division and i don't envision him having a long reign. It opens up the division that otherwise seemed limited when GSP was champion.

[nisidhe]

The way that interview went, I'm glad that GSP is taking time off. He sounded punch-drunk and we all know where that can lead.

It seems to me that Dana White's got some star-making to do. While I think GSP has been the face of UFC for quite some time now, he can't maintain his edge forever and, at that weight class, the potential for serious harm might actually be greater.

[Wolf Hawkfield no1 NZ poster]

I don't see anything wrong with GSP taking time off for whatever reason he chooses as he doesn't owe the fans or Dana White anything.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

The only thing he owed us was to not hold up the division, and by relinquishing the belt he can take as much time off as he wants. Dude has seemed off for awhile now, and some of the weird shit he said leading up to the Diaz fight makes a lot of sense now.

I'm a big fan of GSP, but I don't wanna see anybody in the cage if their head or heart isn't in it, one more fight isn't worth that.

[nisidhe]

Jan 2, 2014 9:12:57 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

The only thing he owed us was to not hold up the division, and by relinquishing the belt he can take as much time off as he wants. Dude has seemed off for awhile now, and some of the weird shit he said leading up to the Diaz fight makes a lot of sense now.

I'm a big fan of GSP, but I don't wanna see anybody in the cage if their head or heart isn't in it, one more fight isn't worth that.

I'm not saying that he shouldn't have given up his title, but Dana White has the authority to strip him of the title should he choose, does he not? That White didn't do that suggests that he thinks he can get a title defense out of Georges but only needs to wait a little while. Unlike in wrestling, there doesn't appear to be a 30-day rule re title defenses.

[domrep]

Jan 2, 2014 9:53:07 GMT -5 nisidhe said:

Jan 2, 2014 9:12:57 GMT -5 The Summer of Muskrat XVII said:

The only thing he owed us was to not hold up the division, and by relinquishing the belt he can take as much time off as he wants. Dude has seemed off for awhile now, and some of the weird shit he said leading up to the Diaz fight makes a lot of sense now.

I'm a big fan of GSP, but I don't wanna see anybody in the cage if their head or heart isn't in it, one more fight isn't worth that.

I'm not saying that he shouldn't have given up his title, but Dana White has the authority to strip him of the title should he choose, does he not? That White didn't do that suggests that he thinks he can get a title defense out of Georges but only needs to wait a little while. Unlike in wrestling, there doesn't appear to be a 30-day rule re title defenses.

Well these guys can't fight every 30 days anyway, b/c it's a licensed sport and what not. GSP could fight tomorrow, have a cut in his eye but have to be on medical suspension for 4 months as a result. Does he have to vacate the title then?

There's all sorts of weird rumors going around that his father is dying and he got a chick knocked up so yeah....he needs to lay low and figure that shit out.

[nisidhe]

Jan 2, 2014 11:03:33 GMT -5 domrep said:

Jan 2, 2014 9:53:07 GMT -5 nisidhe said:

I'm not saying that he shouldn't have given up his title, but Dana White has the authority to strip him of the title should he choose, does he not? That White didn't do that suggests that he thinks he can get a title defense out of Georges but only needs to wait a little while. Unlike in wrestling, there doesn't appear to be a 30-day rule re title defenses.

Well these guys can't fight every 30 days anyway, b/c it's a licensed sport and what not. GSP could fight tomorrow, have a cut in his eye but have to be on medical suspension for 4 months as a result. Does he have to vacate the title then?

There's all sorts of weird rumors going around that his father is dying and he got a chick knocked up so yeah....he needs to lay low and figure that shit out.

I've not heard anything in the way of rumours, but his post-match interview suggested to me that he's got himself a concussion.

[1 Free Moon-Down with Burger]

He's clearly been stressed out by the pressures of being champion and fighting top level talent that he obsesses over.

He's completely fried and needed to step away before he broke.

I'm more than fine with him walking away. Good for him. It's a bit selfish to say that he should fight again even if he doesn't want to.

[Kevin Hamilton]

Did anyone say that?

Outside of Dana immediately following the Hendricks fight that is. Don't get me wrong, as I said in the OP, obviously his health is the most important thing, and no one can think these guys OWE anything.

[xtremehorseman]

link

Georges St. Pierre: UFC took my championship belt and left without telling me

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) did something Johny Hendricks could not do at the UFC 167 pay-per-view (PPV) event, which took place back on Nov. 16, 2013 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Get the 170-pound belt from Georges St. Pierre.

But unlike "Bigg Rigg," who went down on points via controversial split decision, UFC simply waited for "Rush" to take a hot shower and don his suit and tie, a perfect distraction for whatever intern was forced to tiptoe into the locker room and make the grab.

St. Pierre explains to Infoman, translated by our own Alex Giardini:

"I'm taking my shower after the fight. I'm in my suit and tie, after that, they passed by, took the belt and they left with it, without even telling me. I have the belts I won before, but I don't have the one from my last fight."

Sneaky bastards.

St. Pierre made the decision to walk away from combat sports indefinitely after admitting he was burned out on mixed martial arts (MMA), unable to sleep and dealing with a litany of personal problems, which were rumored to be everything from an unplanned pregnancy, to an ailing parent and even a bitter lawsuit (details).

Hendricks will battle Robbie Lawler for the vacant title in the French-Canadian's absence.

UFC President Dana White is confident the former 170-pound kingpin will return to the Octagon after dealing with his personal issues, but you can bet that if when St. Pierre does return, he'll do a better job of keeping an eye on his belongings.

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2014 16:03:43 GMT -5 xtremehorseman said:

link

Georges St. Pierre: UFC took my championship belt and left without telling me

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) did something Johny Hendricks could not do at the UFC 167 pay-per-view (PPV) event, which took place back on Nov. 16, 2013 inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Get the 170-pound belt from Georges St. Pierre.

But unlike "Bigg Rigg," who went down on points via controversial split decision, UFC simply waited for "Rush" to take a hot shower and don his suit and tie, a perfect distraction for whatever intern was forced to tiptoe into the locker room and make the grab.

St. Pierre explains to Infoman, translated by our own Alex Giardini:

"I'm taking my shower after the fight. I'm in my suit and tie, after that, they passed by, took the belt and they left with it, without even telling me. I have the belts I won before, but I don't have the one from my last fight."

Sneaky bastards.

St. Pierre made the decision to walk away from combat sports indefinitely after admitting he was burned out on mixed martial arts (MMA), unable to sleep and dealing with a litany of personal problems, which were rumored to be everything from an unplanned pregnancy, to an ailing parent and even a bitter lawsuit (details).

Hendricks will battle Robbie Lawler for the vacant title in the French-Canadian's absence.

UFC President Dana White is confident the former 170-pound kingpin will return to the Octagon after dealing with his personal issues, but you can bet that if when St. Pierre does return, he'll do a better job of keeping an eye on his belongings.

How nice

[Kevin Hamilton]

That's cold blooded.

[Capt Lunatic]

Whatever reason GSP had, I'm sure Anderson Silva gave him one more last Saturday night.

["Gentleman" AJ Powell]

I've only just realised, GSP and Silva, two of the biggest draws in MMA have been put out of action, willingly and not so willingly right next to eachother. Dana better hope nothing happens to Jon Jones!

[Capt Lunatic]

Jan 3, 2014 6:06:10 GMT -5 "Gentleman" AJ Powell said:

I've only just realised, GSP and Silva, two of the biggest draws in MMA have been put out of action, willingly and not so willingly right next to eachother. Dana better hope nothing happens to Jon Jones!

I think this is why the turnaround on Ronda fighting is so short. Dana don't got many cash cows left.

[Deleted]

It should of been a full on retirement instead of whishy washy hiatus nonsense. Get out while you're on top, rich as can be and just went out on a great fight. You had an awesome run. Why put yourself through more?