Dana White on GSP Return: "I Know the Mentality of a Fighter Who Doesn't Want to Fight"

[James Baller]

Dana White spoke to the media and addressed the possibility of GSP coming back yesterday after the weigh-ins.

Via the Fight Network:

"Georges St. Pierre will not fight again. I've said that before and I'll say it again. Georges St. Pierre is done. He is retired and he will not fight again. I've dealt with him, and we've been dealing with this thing. I've been in this since I was 19-years-old. I know the mentality of a fighter that wants to fight and I know the mentality of a fighter that does not want to fight."

"He's been saying [he wants to return] for a long time. I wholeheartedly believe you will never see Georges St-Pierre in the Octagon again, unless he's cornering somebody."

_


Now, White's choice of words are interesting, especially considering the timing. GSP will be in attendance for UFC 200, and recently spoke to Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, confirming that he is interested in "big fights", having completed a mock training camp to see if he could still physically pull it off after his time off. "I put myself through a training camp and I sparred and everything, and I did it successfully. Now I know for a fact that I could go back and fight, if my management and the UFC get to an agreement."

If GSP's management and the UFC get to an agreement...

 

[Headkicktoleg]

REKT

 

[Svithjod]

He's right.

 

[ortizgnp]

 

[Tao of Bas]

If there is one thing Dana White knows, it's the mentality of someone who wants to be a fighter but doesn't want to actually fight.

 

[Meathead Jock]

Dana's just saying "Reebok makes me more money than GSP"

 

[Guile]

Dana vs GSP at MSG. Its a go.

 

[French Canadian]

He doesn't want to agree on GSP's management's terms. He hasn't said he was ready to comeback before, it was just rumors. Now he confirmed it, but said his terms must be met. Dana probably didn't want to agree to them, so he says GSP was never my friend.

 

[sirmorbach]

Dana White is known for never telling lies. If "Uncle Dana" says so, then it's obviously true. Right?

 

[Exomag]

Dana doesn't want to pay $$$ he is asking.

 

[hitman911]

Id say 1 big fight a year for the next 4 or 5 years would be great for him, he has a lot of miles in fight years on him.

 

[dontlaugh]

He's 100% right. For a guy that said for so long he's a martial artist and loves it, not wanting to compete is BS. Georges is scared he can't hang with fighters these days. Maybe that Serra loss still hurts him and he's scared of losing again.

 

[frederick]

He's 100% right. For a guy that said for so long he's a martial artist and loves it, not wanting to compete is BS. Georges is scared he can't hang with fighters these days. Maybe that Serra loss still hurts him and he's scared of losing again.

best av on sherdog

 

[dc007]

There is only one reason Dana knows GSP isn't coming back: Reebok.

 

[James Baller]

Dana's just saying "Reebok makes me more money than GSP"

Yep. It's sad, the way promoters like White handle these negotiations. St. Pierre was fairly explicit about wanting to come back.

So, it appears negotiations haven't progressed much. I suspect Reebok is just one of the sticking points here. Hell, I'm not the biggest GSP fan, but I would love to see him come back for something big. White saying he "doesn't want to fight" is a blatant lie. He does.

 

[FrankieNYC]

Last night Meltzer said on his audio last night that people are saying it is a money difference that has delayed his return.
He is not reporting that (he cannot confirm) but he said that is something people are saying (I guess in Vegas this week).
I can totally see Dana saying that after GSP asked for more money
EX:
Dana: We will give you $3m to return
GSP: I was making $5m before though. I should not take that much less.
Dana: Then you really don't want to fight

 

[Psychojoe86]

I'm confused, so Gsp is trying to get a fight, but Dana white is saying that gsp doesn't want to fight... So liar? Lol

 

[faustian]

DFW >>> GSP

 

[Diggem]

There is only one reason Dana knows GSP isn't coming back: Reebok.

That and USADA.

 

[touchedbyjab]

White doesn't want to pay what GSP is asking for basically.