Skip to content

Trainer: GSP more interested in intriguing matchups than title fights

Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA TODAY

Georges St-Pierre's trainer has shed some light on the welterweight legend's future.

In a Monday appearance on Ariel Helwani's "The MMA Hour," Tristar head coach Firas Zahabi dished on what fight fans should expect now that the former champ has returned to the UFC fold following a three-year layoff. Having already secured just about every welterweight record of note, a third title is a burden St-Pierre would rather not shoulder, says the vaunted trainer.

"It's all about intriguing matchups. I don't think he wants to get a title and defend it for two or three years," Zahabi said, according to Champions MMA.

Middleweight and lightweight champions Michael Bisping and Conor McGregor are just two of a handful of names being tossed around as potential opponents for St-Pierre's comeback bout, and Zahabi made his interest in a date with either fighter plain as day.

"I was really happy when there was buzzing of Bisping or McGregor. I thought those were two epic fights.

"McGregor is such a mega star. If you put those two in a main event I don't think anyone in the world wouldn't watch."

As for whether the 35-year-old could make the cut to 155 pounds, Zahabi said the GSP of old would've had a few lightweight bouts in him, but they'd now have to test the waters before making the move official.

"I think it would have to be at a catchweight. I'd have to get him back in the gym and do a test cut and explore that a bit, but back in the day, when he was training around the clock, I believe we could have gotten him down to 155 for one or two fights."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox