GSP Enters USADA Testing Pool, Doesn’t Want Exemption
In one of the mandatory steps that are taken for a return to the UFC, Georges St-Pierre has entered the United States Anti-Doping Agency testing pool.
The former UFC Welterweight Champion St-Pierre has long been rumored for a potential comeback to fighting after stepping away from the UFC in late 2013 without losing his championship. Although UFC President Dana White says that he thinks GSP will never fight again, the man himself told Bloody Elbow otherwise.
“My agent is negotiating with the UFC, they had an offer, we made a counter offer, you know that’s how business goes. And then we heard a day after that UFC sold for $4 billion dollars. So we waited for a few days, to see what was going on, because even some of the employees were afraid of losing their job – even some of the high ranking people in the UFC were afraid. We wanted to let the management to take care of their own company first, and then see what happens,” St-Pierre said.
St-Pierre also told the outlet that he’s re-entered the USADA testing pool, and doesn’t want the standard exemption given to newly signed fighters or athletes who retired before the testing was put in place (ie Brock Lesnar, BJ Penn).
“Now we’re talking again and I’m starting the USADA process to be tested, I’m starting it Aug 10. in Las Vegas. Because to be eligible to fight you need to be tested. I don’t want to be an exception, because I was very outspoken about Performance Enhancing Drugs. It would be bad for my reputation if I would have an exemption – I don’t want to have a free pass, I want to be like everybody else. That’s why I’ll be starting the process Aug 10. I don’t have any fight yet, but it’s gonna happen now, because I’m getting tested, if I’m getting tested it’s for a reason,” said St-Pierre.
GSP told Bloody Elbow that the first offer that was made to him was a fight with Michael Bisping for the UFC Middleweight Championship in Toronto, but GSP’s camp and the UFC couldn’t come to terms. While GSP heard that Bisping was interested, he understands Bisping’s desire to avenge a 2009 loss to Dan Henderson. However, since that fight was announced, GSP doesn’t have as much interest in fighting the winner.
“He’s fighting Dan Henderson, so it’s not going to be nineteen wins against nineteen wins now, it’s going to change. The whole idea of it is not as interesting from a business standpoint. so I don’t see the interest, because it’s not my competition. If I’m at 185, I’m gonna fight and go down – and the UFC, I’m sure they don’t want me to get the title and go down after,” admitted GSP, before saying he could fight anywhere from 155 to 185 pounds.
GSP spoke about PEDs in MMA, wrestling, and much more. You can check out the full interview at this link.
