So let’s recap: Georges St-Pierre is upset, his UFC bosses are firing back in the press and the fans are annoyed.
The sad thing is the entire situation could have been avoided. And it all stems back to a simple pat on the back that wasn’t given.
Prior to his title bout against Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in Las Vegas last November, GSP signed up for Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drug screenings in an attempt to clean up the sport and again prove he’s not a cheater despite several unwarranted allegations from past opponents.
Even though he knew he’d also be tested by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), St-Pierre wanted to go the extra mile because he feels too many athletes in MMA bend or break the rules.
GSP truly believed he was doing something noble. Something good for the sport. Something positive. Was it going to change the sport significantly? No. But why not send a message that you can become the best in the world by doing all the right things and playing by the rules.
All Dana White and the UFC had to do was support him, even if they believed it to be futile, and we wouldn’t be where we are today—just play the part of good company men and say: “Look at this guy. What a respectable, honest fighter and great role model for young athletes. We’re lucky to have a champion like Georges St-Pierre.”
Instead, White dismissed GSP’s efforts and said the entire VADA endeavour made the 170-pounder “look stupid.”
GSP then defeated Hendricks by a controversial split decision before vacating his title one month later, citing personal reasons and mounting pressure. He recently told reporters in Montreal the lack of support he received over the extra drug testing bothered him greatly and “it was one of the reasons I decided to step aside.”
Only St-Pierre knows for sure, but maybe he would have stuck around and given Hendricks a rematch had he not felt slighted by his boss.
It’s easy to label White as the villain in all the boundless bickering, even though he certainly had a valid point in questioning GSP’s VADA venture. Neither St-Pierre nor Hendricks had ever failed a drug test and neither fighter was accusing the other of being a cheater. Add that to the fact the NSAC would perform stringent mandatory pre- and post-fight drug screenings on both athletes and the VADA testing was unnecessary.
In the end, though, it’s not about being right or wrong. White very rarely will back down from anything he says—it’s one of the traits that makes him a great promoter—but sometimes he starts arguments that serve no purpose. This is one of those instances. And instead of backing off his stance, he recently doubled down on it, calling GSP and his latest comments “kooky” and “ridiculous.” And it could ultimately cost him one of his most bankable fighters.
For that money-earning potential alone there’s no doubting the UFC would welcome GSP back with open arms if the Saint Isidore, Que., native ever chose to return to competition. St-Pierre (25-2) is widely considered one of the best mixed martial artists—if not the best—of all time. His body has a lot of miles on it—he has spent more time competing in the Octagon than any other person on the planet—but at just 32 years old he still has the ability to improve and add to his legacy.
St-Pierre hasn’t officially ruled out a comeback, which gives his supporters some hope, and it won’t be surprising in the slightest if cooler heads prevail and years from now this argument is merely a blip on the radar.
However, if we never see GSP fight in the UFC again, and it’s in part due to this silly squabble, that’s something many MMA fans won’t be able to forget or forgive.