Former UFC Great Georges St-Pierre One Step Closer to Making UFC Return?

Georges St-Pierre returning to the UFC feels more likely than ever. According to Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times, the former welterweight champ will soon (10 days, to be exact) be kicking off a six-week training camp to gauge his physical and mental fitness and get a feel for whether he would like to re-enter the Octagon after nearly two years away from competition. 

"He's very logical about [a possible return]," said trainer Freddie Roach. "He's going to have a six-week training camp. We're going to train every day like we’re having a fight, and at the end of the six weeks, if he feels he has the desire to go on with it—if he wants to fight—then we will fight again...If he doesn't, we'll call it quits."

Roach teased a reunion (Warning, NSFW Language) with St-Pierre two weeks ago while attending a presser for the upcoming Miguel Cotto vs. Canelo Alvarez boxing match. The GSP-Roach connection became a white-hot topic shortly after St-Pierre announced his indefinite hiatus from MMA, with St-Pierre telling Roach he wouldn't return without him. It isn't especially surprising, either, as St-Pierre's last fight, opposite Johny Hendricks, was defined by his inability to ply his boxing.

Strangely, however, UFC President Dana White isn't buying into a St-Pierre return. Not only is he not buying into it, but he basically scoffed at the notion.

"I highly doubt it’s going to happen because GSP’s been off for too long and has a ton of money," said White, per Pugmire. He continued, "It'd be great if he comes back, yes, I love Georges St-Pierre—amazing athlete—but comeback talk? I laugh at it. To be a world champion, you have to be hungry. That’s not GSP. Not even close."

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Either way, St-Pierre's time with Roach will most certainly be interesting. Rush has not been too far from the public eye since his hiatus, re-emerging for events held by his sponsors and occasional question-and-answer sessions with fans. Because of that, it's common knowledge that St-Pierre is still keeping active in the gym and, after a strength-and-conditioning regimen that started while recovering from a 2014 knee injury, is bigger than ever.

If St-Pierre returns, a handful of interesting opponents could await him, including a rematch with Nick Diaz or Hendricks or the long-awaited superfight between St-Pierre and former middleweight champion Anderson Silva. While a comeback may not be assured, St-Pierre fans are welcome to start getting excited.