Earlier this month we learned that, after months of conflicting rumors, reports, and updates, welterweight great Georges St-Pierre and the UFC had resolved their issues and agreed on the terms for a new contract. With this development, St-Pierre suddenly has a smorgasbord of exciting matchup possibilities on his table, ranging from middleweight champion Michael Bisping, to lightweight champion Conor McGregor.
Many of St-Pierre’s most compelling options, of course, exist in the welterweight division that he once ruled. Of all these welterweight options, none is more interesting than a potential fight with the winner of UFC 209’s Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson welterweight title rematch.
Thompson, however, is a long-time friend and training partner of St-Pierre. As a result, the prospect of a fight with the welterweight great is a bit of a question mark for him.
Thompson weighed in on a potential fight with the returning St-Pierre on the latest episode of Rapid Fire, with BJPENN.com’s own Chris Taylor.
“You never know man,” Thompson said of a possible showdown with St-Pierre. “You know, he was actually my inspiration to switch from kickboxing to mixed martial arts, training with him, helping him get ready for his fights. We have a closer relationship than I even did with Rory [MacDonald]. I would not want to step out there in the Octagon with him, but I understand it’s business, and you never know what the UFC’s going to throw at you.”
“I’m glad he’s back in the UFC man,” Thompson continued. “He’s one of the best welterweights who ever stepped out there into the Octagon. My hat’s off to the guy. I know he’s been out for awhile, but he’s always training, always evolving, and he’s a life-long martial artist. But yeah man, you never know. We’ll see what happens.”
So there it is. While a fight with St-Pierre is certainly not Thompson’s first choice, he understands that the fight business is just that – business. If the terms are right for both men, it sounds like this fight could be a possibility. It all hinges, of course, on the outcome of Thompson’s looming title fight with Woodley.
How do you think a Stephen Thompson vs. Georges St-Pierre fight would go? Sound off, PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/21/2017.