MMA Fighter Georges St. Pierre. AFP
Highly decorated Brazilian Jui-Jitsu practitioner Renzo Gracie believes it’s only a matter of time before fans get to see Georges St. Pierre back inside the octagon.
Speaking with MMA Analyst Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Gracie revealed that the longtime UFC welterweight champion will undoubtedly return to doing what he does best—fighting.
“He’s [St-Pierre] is coming back for sure,” Gracie said.
“That boy, the best thing he does in life is fighting. Look for how long he’s been a champion. He overcame so many obstacles,” the 6th degree BJJ black belt added.
Gracie lauded GSP’s dedication to his craft, citing that “Rush” would oftentimes come from Canada and leave at 4:30 in the morning by bus going to New York, train the whole day and leave come night fall—a regimen he does two, sometimes three times a week.
The Canadian superstar has kept mum about a potential comeback since vacating his title in 2013— although multiple reports have kept surfacing about potential match-ups against UFC mainstays Anderson Silva and even Irishman Conor McGregor.
Gracie, meanwhile, thinks the debate for GSP’s possible opponent is much simpler to answer.
“Whoever is the champion I think [should be next for St-Pierre],” Gracie said. “He deserves it. He’s earned it, his life work [should give him] a straight shot to the champion, whoever it is.”
Despite the three-year lay-off, the fighter-turned BJJ coach still has high hopes on GSP’ chances to reclaim the UFC’s 170lb. championship strap.
“A champion is not just born. He’s forged into it. And Georges has all the tools to become champion again, and for sure, he’s now 100 percent healthy. I saw him, he’s in unbelievable shape, and for sure he will be announcing soon to be back in the game.”