Since winning the welterweight title at UFC 201, Tyron Woodley has been chasing a fight with former champion Georges St-Pierre, with the primary objective being to capture the title of Greatest Welterweight of All Time. But after his win over Darren Till earlier this month at UFC 228, Woodley says he is no longer chasing a fight with GSP because he no longer needs to to prove his GOAT status. Woodley and his team believe that a few more wins over the challengers in line will cement him as the greatest 170-pounder to lace up the gloves.

Georges St-Pierre, respectfully, disagrees.

Speaking with FanSided recently, St-Pierre addressed Woodley’s claims about taking the GOAT mantle, saying that Woodley has already secured a great legacy as champion but determining who is The Greatest is a very complicated issue.

“Fighting is a very complex thing,” St-Pierre said. “I actually think it is good for him to think he is the greatest welterweight of all time because it makes him confident and confidence has a big role for a fighter, but there are other fighters out there who can claim the same thing.

“The greatest is hard to say, there is also another guy named Matt Hughes who at one point was one of the greatest,” St-Pierre explained. “There are some fighters, I’m not saying Tyron Woodley is one of these guys - he is an incredible fighter - but there are guys in this sport sometimes they become champion and they have an easier time than others in terms of opponent, in terms of challenges. Tyron had to go through great fighters like Stephen Thompson and his last performance was outstanding against Darren Till. There was a lot of hype on Darren Till because he was undefeated. Tyron just shut him down incredibly good. Tyron is in a good way in terms of legacy and in terms of being the greatest.”

Of course, there is one way to settle the issue for good, but there are definite hurdles to making that happen. For one, after St-Pierre came out of retirement to submit Michael Bisping and claim the middleweight title, he promptly vacated his newly won belt and re-retired, citing medical issues stemming from gaining weight to face Bisping. However, after nearly a year off, St-Pierre says he is managing his ulcerative colitis and feels great, though he would need to be very careful about returning to fighting.

“For me, it was a bad experience,” said St-Pierre. “I won my fight, everything was great, the result was okay, however, I compromised what is the most important thing for me which is my health. I never want to compromise my health ever again. However, now I feel a lot better. I feel great. I’ve done some intermittent fasting with some medication and with some anti-inflammatory to help with the symptoms of my ulcerative colitis.”

So does that mean a title fight between GSP and Woodley is on the way? Unlikely. Aside from his health issues, St-Pierre also was candid about the main reason he doesn’t care to face Woodley right now: it doesn’t do enough for his legacy. But, GSP implies, if Woodley keeps building himself up, that may give “Rush” enough incentive to step back in the cage again.

“In terms of coming back to fighting, you have to realize I have a lot more to lose than to win,” St-Pierre concluded. “Tyron Woodley wants to fight me because he has a lot more to win than to lose because if he beats me in terms of legacy, in terms of popularity, he has a lot more to win. It’s not that I’m scared, actually, I’m always scared when I go fight. I’m scared of everybody but being scared is irrelevant because I’m going to walk the walk if I have to do it.

“I have to choose carefully what is my next move. For at this point, I am with cementing my legacy it is not a straight line. I have to check what can I gain, what can I lose. That is why when I fought Michael Bisping it was a win/win situation from both sides. If I were to lose I lose but if I win, I win big so it was good. Fighting Tyron Woodley right now, now that he won his last fight it elevates his stock a little bit more but it’s still not a complete win/win situation for me.”

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Respect.

Much respect for this guy. When they gave me @erykanders as a Fight option I did not expect anything different from what it was, a real war. @erykanders , thank you for the honor of the battle. You are a warrior and a guy for the good. @ufc #UFCSaoPaulo pic.twitter.com/Gl9tzw7U44 — Thiago Marreta (@TMarretaMMA) September 23, 2018

Hero.

Not gonna lie, I haven’t been that tired since my wedding night — Eryk Anders (@erykanders) September 23, 2018

Goddard defending his choices.

Damn @marcgoddard_uk you really stole that shit from @erykanders. Straight put him in position to take them elbows. I’m calling bullshit — Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) September 23, 2018

Mr Lee both fighters returned to exact same position that I stop to replace the gum-shield, i.e. against the fence in over/under clinch. Would you rather I start with Mr Anders pressing position taken away? We can have our own opinions, we can’t have our own facts. I respect you. https://t.co/UDV5kObAJB — Marc Goddard (@marcgoddard_uk) September 23, 2018

But momentum,balance and pressure are part of the position. You can’t just go back. It just wasn’t the right time to stop it — Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) September 23, 2018

Very cool. After the fight, Sergio Moraes teaching Ben Saunders how he beat him.

This is definitely gonna headline MSG.

Earned not given pic.twitter.com/YmYfTzKVR5 — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) September 22, 2018

Damn. Ray Borg’s son having more problems.

My poor little guy.... we are in the ER for round 4 of surgeries. Shunt is malfunctioning and he is due for another surgery for a revision. Shit just can’t go our way. — Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) September 24, 2018

Megan Olivi moving on up in the world.

That was so fun! Thank you for all the kind words ❤️ See you next weekend in Oakland! pic.twitter.com/xV7S79YlgT — Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) September 23, 2018

What a jerk.

Wow. Craziness at #BFL57. Austin Batra KOs Perry Hayer but gets disqualified for this unnecessary jumping asshole finish. Wild stuff. pic.twitter.com/W7frtUrS0l — Fight For Something (@fight4something) September 23, 2018

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thiago Silva (20-7, 2 NC) vs. James McSweeney (15-16); KSW 45, Oct. 6.

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

1999: At UFC 22, Frank Shamrock submitted Tito Ortiz in one of the best MMA fights at the time. This event also featured the UFC debuts of future champions Matt Hughes and Jens Pulver.

2001: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira submitted Mark Coleman at Pride 16.

2011: Jon Jones submitted Quinton Jackson at UFC 135 to retain his light heavyweight title.

2016: Cris Cyborg stopped Lina Lansberg at UFC Fight Night 95, her final fight at the 140 pound catchweight.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So I know fights happened over the weekend and whatever but . . . TIGER’S BACK. Celebrate for all is right again.

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

Poll Should GSP fight Tyron? This poll is closed. 30% Yes (707 votes)

44% No (1057 votes)

25% I just hope he does. (590 votes) 2354 votes total Vote Now

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