Georges St-Pierre Expects to Return in November, Wants to Face Nick Diaz

After undergoing successful knee surgery, Georges St-Pierre will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon later this year.

The UFC welterweight champion, who is currently rehabilitating an ACL tear he suffered in training, is eager to step back into the cage and defend the welterweight title as soon as possible. 

St-Pierre made a guest appearance on HD Net's Inside MMA to discuss the extent of his injury and his recovery status. St-Pierre said he returned to training too soon from a previous injury, which contributed to him tearing his ACL.

"I didn't listen to myself," St-Pierre said. "I had a first injury to my left knee. I tried to come back too fast and I was compensating with my other leg. That's how I hurt myself."

Despite being out of action, the Saint Isadore, Quebec native will be paying close attention to the upcoming interim welterweight title bout between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit at UFC 143. St-Pierre, who was originally scheduled to meet Diaz in the main event, is slated to meet the winner of the bout. 

Although St-Pierre previously favoured Condit over Diaz, the champion is anticipating a future matchup with the former Strikeforce welterweight champion.

"I just hope the best man will win. But if the best man is Nick Diaz, I will appreciate it more, because it will be a better build up for a fight," he said. 

Diaz's post-fight comments at UFC 137 infuriated St-Pierre, which forced the champion to demand a bout with the Stockton, Calif. native over Condit.

If Diaz is able to get a victory at UFC 143, St-Pierre will finally get the fight he had hoped for, possibly setting up the highly anticipated title bout for November, when St-Pierre expects to return.

“Hard training will be in July, and fighting again for the timing to get back I would say in November, I can come back in November," he said.