EXCLUSIVE: Firas Zahabi Says GSP Looking For “Historic” Fights

Firas Zahabi says he wants fans to help get George St-Pierre a historic fight. 

Since returning from his hiatus, George St-Pierre has been connected to potential fights with UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping and UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley. On Fightful MMA's podcast Holy Smokes, St-Pierre's coach Firas Zahabi said St-Pierre is looking for historic fights but needs help from fans to get the fights booked. 

"I think fans need to voice their opinion on what they want. I think George (St-Pierre) is ready for a fight the fans really want to see. There's been other names thrown around but it seems it's a little bit complicated. It seems there's always one side that's not happy or ready to go. For me, I think it's going to happen soon. I would love to hear the fans. What do they want to see? Egg on the UFC. Egg on all the different sides that are in power. It's been too long," said Zahabi. 

St-Pierre wanting to become a defending champion again at Welterweight is not a given according to Zahabi. He said St-Pierre wil have to go back to "one hundred percent" dedication to defend that championship. Podcast host "Showdown Joe" Ferraro asked him about the possibility of a fight with Conor McGregor for a historic fight. Zahabi emphatically agreed it is a fight he would be interested in for St-Pierre. 

"Where do we sign? I love Tyron Woodley. I love Damien Maia. If George (St-Pierre) fought one of those two it wouldn't be a historical fight. If he fought Bisping, it would be historic because it would be for a Middleweight title," said Zahabi. "If he fought Conor McGregor, it would be definitely be historic, no doubt about it. Anderson Silva, would that be historic? I think so. There are other names out there. So it would have to be something super special," he continued. 

This is not the first time Zahabi theorized about a fight with McGregor. He said similar in February when St-Pierre first re-signed with UFC. Zahabi also mentioned McGregor in May for a match-up with St-Pierre. McGregor and Floyd Mayweather have agreed to a boxing match on August 26th.  McGregor said he wishes to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov after his fight with Mayweather. 

Tyron Woodley has gone on record more than once saying St-Pierre deserves the next shot at his UFC Welterweight Championship. At UFC 214, Woodley agreed to defend his title against Demian Maia. UFC President Dana White has said St-Pierre will face the winner. 

Also on Holy Smokes, Zahabi discussed the nature of running one of the biggest mixed-marital-arts gyms in North America. The TriStar Gym coach also talked about his analysis of the upcoming McGregor and Mayweather boxing match. 

Holy Smokes can be heard at FightfulPods.com. The show airs live on Tuesdays.