Earlier this year it was announced that former longtime UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre would return to mixed martial arts action and compete up a weight class for a second Ultimate Fighting Championship title. The return fight with current champion Michael Bisping eventually fizzled out after a timeline could not be determined for Canada's greatest MMA champion's return.
St-Pierre walked away from the sport while wearing the championship belt in November 2013. At the height of his career, he was one of the organization's highest earners and biggest draws.
Now, nearly four years later his return is still not guaranteed and his options are limited.
Champion wants money fight
With the news of the fight's cancellation, St-Pierre's pending return left another option; return at the weight he once fought at, 170-lbs. During yesterday's UFC 214 pre-fight press conference, current welterweight champion Tyron Woodley expressed concern that he would not get a big payday fight with St-Pierre shortly.
“They’re (St-Pierre's team) going to ask to fight Bisping because Georges doesn’t want to fight me,” Woodley said.
You want it, you got it
UFC President Dana White quickly squashed Woodley's concerns and said, "“The Bisping ship has sailed. It’s gone. You win on Saturday; it’s going to be you, pal.”
By win, White meant that Woodley would have to successfully defend his belt against challenger Demain Maia in the UFC 214 co-main event from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The defense will mark Woodley's third since defeating former champion Robbie Lawler for the title in July 2016. Woodley has twice defended the belt against Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson. The first fight was ruled a draw and the second time a close decision in favor of the champion.
A win for Maia could also mean that he too gets the 'money fight' against St-Pierre.
White later reiterated that whoever gets the win in Anaheim will defend against GSP should he return later this year.
Saturday's UFC 214 pay-per-view fight card is headlined by a rematch between current UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and former champion Jon Jones. A third title will be decided on the card, a rarity for the UFC organization.
The vacant women's featherweight title will be awarded to the winner of Cristiane 'Cyborg' Justino and Tonya Evinger. Both women held title in different weight classes for Invicta Fighting Championships before moving to the UFC.
