Georges St-Pierre has received medical clearance to resume full mixed martial arts training, according to UFC president Dana White.
The former UFC welterweight champion—who vacated his title last December and announced he was taking an indefinite leave of absence from the sport—has been recovering from a torn left ACL that was surgically repaired in April.
White and UFC chairman Lorenzo Fertitta visited with St-Pierre in Montreal Tuesday and White seems confident the MMA superstar will eventually return to the UFC.
“His knee just got cleared and he’ll start training again and getting back into shape. He’ll let us know when he’s ready,” White told UFC.com.
St-Pierre’s trainer Firas Zahabi has told Sportsnet on multiple occasions he felt there was a 50/50 chance the Canadian would fight again competitively.
In September, White said an immediate title shot would be possible for St-Pierre if and when the 25-2 fighter made a comeback.
Johnny Hendricks, who narrowly lost to St-Pierre at UFC 167 last November, is currently the UFC welterweight champion after beating Robbie Lawler in March to earn the vacant title. He is scheduled to defend his title in a rematch against Lawler at UFC 181 on Dec. 6. St-Pierre’s friend and Tristar Gym teammate Rory MacDonald is slated to fight the winner of Hendricks-Lawler sometime in 2015.
St-Pierre has not officially announced his intentions on returning to the UFC.
