Canadian mixed martial arts superstar Georges St-Pierre says he’s ready to return to the octagon.
The former UFC welterweight champion says he’s in negotiations to end three years of self-imposed hiatus.
“I love my sport and I still feel I’m at my best right now,” St-Pierre said Monday on The MMA Hour podcast. “The clock is running. I’m not getting any younger. I’m in the peak of my career and if there is a shot, there is another goal, another run, I better do it and do it quick, because it is time to do it now.”
Dominating figure
The 35-year-old Montrealer, considered by many one the greatest fighters of his era, hasn’t fought since he beat Johnny Hendricks in a controversial split decision in November 2013.
St-Pierre tore a knee ligament in 2014 but said he’s confident his injury has healed.
He dominated the UFC welterweight division from 2007 to 2013. He defended his UFC title nine consecutive times, with a professional record of 25 wins and 2 losses.
St-Pierre told the podcast he put himself through a successful simulated training camp.
“Now I know for a fact that I could go back and fight, if my management and the UFC get to an agreement,” he said.
To have no regrets
St-Pierre admitted the stakes for his comeback are very high.
“I have a lot to lose in this, because I finished on top,” St-Pierre said. “I finished as champion, and that’s the way everybody would like to leave the sport – on top, healthy, and wealthy – and I did it. If I go back and, it needs to be for something big. I think for my first fight, it needs to be for something big, and that’ll give me the swing and the momentum to do it again and again and again for another run.”
St-Pierre said the reason why he’s thinking of coming back to the sport, is he doesn’t want to have regrets later in life, telling himself, “I should’ve done this, I should’ve done that.”
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