AFTER a self-imposed hiatus in 2013, former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is set to return to the octagon after he signed a new agreement with the UFC.
UFC president Dana White told the Los Angeles Times on Friday (Saturday, Manila time) that the popular 35-year-old ‘GSP’ signed a contract that would pave the way for his comeback.
"He's back. I'm excited," said White after the lengthy negotiations were finalized. "We worked at it for a long time and finally got it done."
With a 25-2 record, St-Pierre is the longest-reigning 170-pound champion in UFC history. His last match was a split-decision win against Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 on November 16, 2013. After the fight, the Quebec native relinquished his title and said he needed time away from the sport, but not before questioning the UFC’s drug-testing policies.
No official date of St-Pierre’s return nor his opponent has been announced but White indicated the winner of the UFC 209 welterweight title rematch between champion Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson as a possible foe.
St-Pierre was on a 12-fight winning streak when he walked away. His last defeat was in an upset in 2007, a first-round knockout to Matt Serra. St-Pierre got payback in the rematch with Serra.
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