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Former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre is set to make a comeback, but this time it won't be inside the Octagon.
The Canadian MMA legend will be stepping onto the mats for a grappling match at Fight Pass Invitational 6 in December, marking his first combat sports appearance in six years. St-Pierre's return has ignited excitement among fans, and he has some intriguing names in mind for potential opponents.
While details regarding weight class and ruleset are yet to be finalized, St-Pierre emphasized the importance of finding an opponent and situation that will captivate the fans. One name that has consistently surfaced in discussions is Khabib Nurmagomedov, but St-Pierre believes a showdown with the retired lightweight champion is unlikely to materialize this time around.
"I think he's retired. His name was not on the list, not in the talk. I think he's retired, and I'm not sure if he's still in the circus of doing martial arts right now," St-Pierre shared during an interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
However, a rematch with Nick Diaz, a former opponent, seems to be a more realistic option. St-Pierre acknowledged Diaz's grappling prowess and expressed his interest in the matchup.
"That could be an interesting one. He's a very good grappler. In grappling, he's got more experience than me. So I would have to make sure I come very well-prepared for that one if it's Nick Diaz," St-Pierre revealed.
In addition to Diaz, St-Pierre mentioned current UFC welterweights Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington as potential opponents. While acknowledging the challenges of aligning their fight schedules for the December event, St-Pierre didn't rule out the possibility of facing them in the future. He expressed his desire to participate in multiple grappling matches, considering this as an opportunity to venture beyond his comfort zone and test his skills under different rules.
"I want to do more than one. I want to test the water. I've never done this before. It's a different set of rules that I never did. I'm going to be outside of my comfort zone, and that's a fun thing," St-Pierre stated.
Georges St-Pierre's imminent return to competition, albeit in grappling, has reignited the fans' enthusiasm. Whether he faces off against Nick Diaz, Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, or someone else entirely, one thing is certain: St-Pierre's comeback is eagerly anticipated, and his presence will undoubtedly elevate the UFC's grappling endeavors.