White: No truth to GSP-Silva rumors

Dana White is back on rumor control duty.

In a year that's seen the UFC president deny reports of Brock Lesnar returning at UFC 200 (he did) and the promotion being sold to WME-IMG (it was), White now finds himself quieting talk of a dream match between former champions Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.

Buzz of a meeting between the two legends grew from a spark into flame over the weekend, as St-Pierre's friend Patrick Cote acknowledged the rumor and Silva's son seemingly confirmed the bout was set for UFC 206 in December with a cheeky Instagram post.

White spoke to BT Sport following Saturday's UFC 204 event in Manchester, England, and he shot down the idea the fight was anywhere close to being signed.

"That's not true. So not true," White said, according to MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew. "I know everybody keeps talking about - GSP isn't even close. I'm telling you again, I don't think GSP wants to fight. I keep saying this. You guys know fighters as much as I know fighters, do you think GSP wants to fight? GSP wasn't crazy about fighting when he was fighting! Now three years later he's just dying to fight? He's not. I don't think he is.

"That fight is definitely not gonna happen. I don't think GSP ever returns. And in some cases, that's not a bad thing. The guy retired, he went out on top, he's looked at as one of the greatest to ever do it and I just think he lost that fire a long time ago. For some reason - he's got his own personal reasons - he likes to keep his name out there like he might be coming back and everybody is anticipating his return, but at the end of the day I don't think he wants it."

In the past few months, White has countered any suggestion of a St-Pierre return by questioning the fighter's desire to compete again after taking a break from the sport in November 2013. St-Pierre and his camp insist contract negotiations are the primary obstacle keeping him from returning to the Octagon.

Silva doesn't have a fight booked. He recently expressed disappointment in what he perceived to be disrespect on the part of UFC management regarding their treatment of him since his last fight.

UFC 206 takes place Dec. 10 in Toronto. A light heavyweight championship bout between Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson is scheduled for the event, though it hasn't been designated as the headliner. Until it is, rumors of a bout between St-Pierre and Silva are likely to persist.