Georges St-Pierre says fans hoping to see him back in combat sports this summer will have to wait, pointing to a recent back issue and a packed schedule away from the cage.
The UFC Hall of Famer, who last fought at UFC 217 in November 2017 when he defeated Michael Bisping for a championship, revealed he still receives frequent offers despite having not formally competed for nearly nine years.
"I get requests maybe once or twice a month for either fighting in MMA, boxing, wrestling, grappling - whatever," St-Pierre said.
However, a recent tweak has put any immediate plans on hold. "I had another one for Hype. I just tweaked my back a few weeks ago, and I don't know if it's a disk or what it is. It's a lot better than it was, but I won't be able to compete this summer. Because also I'm also very busy. I'm not saying I'm never going to do it. Just right now, I'm starting this YouTube channel, and I have a lot of projects, and I want to be competing on my terms."
St-Pierre, a former UFC middleweight and welterweight champion who turns 45 on May 19, emphasized that timing and comfort are crucial. "If I do it, it might be more in fall. Right now I have a lot of projects, and I'm too busy. It's not the right time for it now."
He added, "I don't say no, just right now it's not the right timing and right now everyone is calling me like, 'Hey, can you do this?' I understand. Perhaps one day it will be better timing. Right now, I have other things that I prioritize."
