3 theories on what's next for Georges St-Pierre

As the MMA world is by now certainly aware, Georges St-Pierre declared himself a free agent Monday, much to the UFC's surprise.

The welterweight great had officially ended his self-imposed, three-year exile in August by entering the USADA's customary four-month testing cycle, only for his efforts to negotiate a new contract with the UFC go south following the company's change in ownership late this summer. St-Pierre revealed Monday that he enlisted lawyer James Quinn to terminate the contract, leaving fight fans wondering where he'll land instead of who he'll face in his comeback bout.

An ensuing promotional statement insisting GSP is still under contract implies the parties may soon end up in court, which at age 35, doesn't bode well for St-Pierre's designs.

Assuming he'll eventually be granted his freedom, whether via the legal system or not, here are three theories on GSP's next move:

Related: Georges St-Pierre terminates UFC contract: 'I'm a free agent'

A post-Reebok agreement with the UFC

The smoke is far from cleared, but just because St-Pierre is no longer on the UFC's roster doesn't mean he's seen the last of its Octagon.

During his Monday appearance on "The MMA Hour," the former champ claimed the contract he thought had nixed dated back to 2011, years before the promotion reached its current apparel deal with Reebok. The ensuing dip in sponsorship money per fighter has been well documented, and likely factored into the failed negotiations.

Despite GSP's drawing power, even after three years on the shelf, the UFC's new owner, WME-IMG, allegedly refused to pony up the dough it deemed necessary to reintroduce him to its audience. Since no active 170-pounder has come close to replicating his record-setting reign as champion, it's safe to assume the public is still quite hip to St-Pierre's reputation.

Even with the UFC's reluctance to meet terms he swears are reasonable, there's little chance we'll see GSP in anyone else's cage. Whether his skills have diminished since his 2013 bout with Johny Hendricks remains to be seen, but simply put, he can still make the UFC money. That alone should be reason enough to reignite contract talks.

After all, this is the same promotion that paid CM Punk half a million - with two years of training and no amateur or regional experience - to look every bit the neophyte he is against Mickey Gall at UFC 203.

Scott Coker comes calling

Having scooped up a bevy of UFC alumni including Chael Sonnen and St-Pierre's teammate, Rory MacDonald, a call from Bellator MMA is not unfathomable to St-Pierre.

Promotional head Scott Coker has so far remained mum on GSP's newfound status ...

... but the gears in the boss' head must be turning double time at the thought of what a legendary fighter would do to the company's visibility.

If St-Pierre does jump ship, though, the Viacom-owned company would likely have to invest in a pay-per-view, both to do his reputation justice and to obtain a meaningful return on their investment.

ONE Championship's Ben Askren and World Series of Fighting's Jon Fitch - a former challenger to St-Pierre's title - called the Quebec native out Monday, but since WSOF airs its cards on cable, it has a predicament in common with Bellator.

He launches his own promotion in Canada

Home is where the heart is.

It's quite a reach, but if all else fails, St-Pierre can always go into business for himself in his native Canada. The country has been steadily churning out talent for well over a decade, but it remains in dire need of a homegrown platform to groom its prospects for the big stage. Its foremost fighter, who admitted Monday his pockets are still deep, is just the man to do it.

Of course, St-Pierre would likely have to keep his cage at arm's length should he make the eyebrow-raising endeavor, as fighting in his own promotion would have "conflict of interest" written all over it.

As unlikely as it may be short term, the promoter's hat would still be a viable option when St-Pierre does officially call it a career.