Morning Report: Georges St-Pierre ‘very happy’ for Rory MacDonald and his decision to join Bellator MMA

Last week Rory MacDonald officially signed with Bellator MMA marking another major MMA free agent picked up by Scott Coker. And MacDonald isn’t the only one who is happy about the signing. MacDonald’s friend and training partner, former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, also gave the move his seal of approval when speaking to Uproxx recently.

“Oh, I am very happy for Rory. I think it’s a great move for him. He chose the best option for himself and his family. I wish him the best. We’re going to train together still. I’m very happy for him. He found a new home to make more money and, if the conditions of work are better, I’m happy. I’m all for that.”

St-Pierre and MacDonald have been longtime training partners at Tri-Star Gym and when St-Pierre stepped away from MMA in 2013, many tapped MacDonald to pick up that mantle and ascend to welterweight dominance. MacDonald never quite fulfilled those hopes, coming up just short in his one UFC title shot against Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. Now he has a new opportunity to pursue gold and one that won’t conflict with his teammate’s rumored return to the octagon.

St-Pierre of course, ended speculation about a comeback recently by confirming that he was indeed set on returning to competition soon and entering himself into the USADA testing pool so he can do so without seeking a specialty exemption. Though no fight has been announced, St-Pierre and welterweight champion Tyron Woodley have both expressed interest in a title fight, possibly at UFC 206 on December 10 in Toronto. However, St-Pierre doesn’t know if the UFC even wants to make the fight.

“What happened is that, he texted me and I don’t know him very well, but he texted me and he explained that he challenged me and he wanted to do it because he wanted to fight the best. He didn’t want me to take anything as disrespect, and I didn’t take it as disrespect. He’s a competitor and I said, ‘If you want to do it, let’s do it. I’m ready to fight you.’ But it’s not my decision, the UFC is a business and the way it works, because UFC is a business, they have to choose what’s best for them.”

Of course, the UFC may not want to make the match because they are skeptical of the seriousness of St-Pierre’s interest in returning, with UFC President Dana White saying he will “believe it when I see it.” St-Pierre maintains that he wants to return but he is not sure what will happen. Many have speculated that the non-committal nature of both parties revolves around several hang-ups in negotiations, chief among them, the UFC’s Reebok deal which would cost St-Pierre some of his sponsors. Considering that, and MacDonald’s signing with Bellator at least in part due to their lack of uniforms, some may wonder of St-Pierre’s kind words for MacDonald’s signing could portend his own big move. However, St-Pierre’s return seems primarily focused on building on his already unassailable legacy.

“It’s not an issue with fighting, I’m 35 years old. I want to choose the best fight, the most exciting fight and the fight that elevates me that will make people remember me forever. The guys I need to fight for that, I need to take into consideration…Yeah, I had the belt for a long time, but it doesn’t matter if it’s for the belt or not. I want a fight that’s going to elevate myself.”

While it might be fun to envision a St-Pierre vs. Ben Askren fight in ONE FC, if St-Pierre is truly only considering a comeback to be “remembered forever,” it seems a foregone conclusion that St-Pierre’s return will be in the octagon. The UFC is the only place that can provide St-Pierre the legacy cementing fights he seeks. Now it’s just a matter of if it will happen.

“We …

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