Despite being open to the prospect of Khabib Nurmagomedov potentially facing Georges St-Pierre, UFC president Dana White still seemingly prefers for the latter to remain retired.
Both fighters had been angling to face each other for a while before St-Pierre ultimately decided to retire from the sport last year, later revealing the UFC wasn’t on board with him facing Nurmagomedov.
However, when recently asked if “The Eagle” could get his wish of facing St-Pierre in a potential last fight, White was receptive to the idea.
"He's been great to the company, he's been great for the sport… I would do anything Khabib wanted to do."@danawhite says he would consider @TeamKhabib's wishes for his final fight, including a potential bout with @GeorgesStPierre. (via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/pqre0cWiqS
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 28, 2020
Speculation has ramped up since of a super fight, especially with Nurmagomedov outlining his goal of facing St-Pierre in April.
But as far as White is concerned as of now, the Dagestan native should focus on Gaethje first who he faces in a lightweight title unification bout at UFC 254 in October.
And even should he get past Gaethje, White still seems to prefer having St-Pierre remain outside the Octagon, especially with the latter landing a fight commentary gig for Canadian speciality French TV channel RDS.
“Well, let’s see what happens with Gaethje,” White told TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter recently. “That fight’s got to happen first. We just hired GSP — he’s the French commentator for us now. That’s more what I’d like to see GSP doing.”
St-Pierre — who turned 39 earlier this year — has repeatedly stated how he has always been happy to have left the sport on top and many fighters such as Daniel Cormier are looking to emulate him in that regard.
And along with “Rush” not needing the money that comes with fighting, White would like to see the former welterweight king remain on top and not compete again.
“You don’t see too many athletes who go out on top,” he added. “GSP has done that, done it very well. He’s got the money, he doesn’t need the money.
“He’s working for us now in a different capacity and I’d love to see him go out on top.”
GSP recently re-affirmed his desire to stay retired, but the Khabib fight could lead to a change of heart 👀
(via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/I9kr9MQQca
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 28, 2020
Of course, St-Pierre may still have other ideas.
