Georges Saint Pierre’s announcement of becoming a free agent rocked the mixed martial arts world on Monday.
After weekend rumors of GSP possibly returning to the UFC to take on fellow former champion Anderson Silva, it appears as if we won’t be seeing the longest defending welterweight champion in UFC history.
Check out what fighters and coaches alike had to say about GSP’s massive announcement below!
@GeorgesStPierre vs (Give me your Dream Matchup from ANY Organization in the World) #GSP
— Firas Zahabi (@Firas_Zahabi) October 17, 2016
Damn GSP is seriously a free agent now!?
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) October 17, 2016
Hey @GeorgesStPierre not a lot of people to fight outside the UFC. I'll be your huckleberry!!!
— Funky (@Benaskren) October 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/sixgungibson/status/788111252954361856
I'll forever ❤️ @GeorgesStPierre .
He is a good and honest man with a ton of integrity. For whatever my opinion is worth.— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) October 17, 2016
Bombshell. We'll see how this plays out… https://t.co/gwizEPQPiE
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) October 17, 2016
GSP specifically mentioned his deal with Under Armor as the main reason he decided to not re-sign with the world’s leading MMA promotion. Ever since the UFC’s exclusive apparel deal with Reebok, no other apparel brands have been allowed to sponsor fighters in the octagon.
Seeing how his Under Armor deal is extremely lucrative, the Reebok sponsorship wouldn’t yield as much income for the former 170 pound kingpin.
Saint Pierre also singled out the UFC’s new ownership as an obstacle that got in the eye of him re-signing with the world’s leading MMA promotion.
“I believe if Lorenzo was still there, it would maybe be different,” GSP said. “We were making a lot of progress when we were talking to Lorenzo, but when the new owners came, all the offers were off the table. It was a big step back and it was insulting.”
“It was more of a cooperative with Lorenzo. When we talked to the new owners, it was a totally different story. Everything was off the table.”
ONE FC welterweight champ Ben Askren was quick to call out GSP, and tweeted directly at him in hopes of making a fight between the two, however there hasn’t been any official news regarding where Saint Pierre plans to fight.
Where do you see GSP signing since he is no longer under contract with the UFC? Does a fight with Askren in ONE FC excite you! Or would you prefer to see the former welterweight champ sign with Bellator? Sound off, PENN Nation!