The Savage Truth: Who’s Next for GSP?

Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed below are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sherdog.com, its affiliates and sponsors or its parent company, Evolve Media.

The greatest fighter in the history of our young sport -- in my opinion, anyway -- says he is ready to return after a three-year hiatus. Georges St. Pierre, the former welterweight champion who ruled the division for years wants to get back into the Octagon but what and who will be waiting for him when he gets there? As long as expectations can be kept in check, I’m sure the French-Canadian superstar will do just fine.

That brings us to the motivation for a return. Why, after all he has accomplished, would “Rush” want to return to the daily grind that is fight preparation? Let’s just say that competition is a rough habit to kick in just about any sport, but especially so for combat sport athletes.

Now I’m no fortuneteller or crystal ball reader, but I can’t imagine GSP coming back and taking on the killers of the sport at either 170 or 185 pounds. Maybe I’m wrong, but all signs pointed to a potential welterweight championship fight with Robbie Lawler at UFC 200 and apparently that was not an opponent St. Pierre was comfortable with. Rumors persist that he was looking to fight either Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz.

I can’t blame the man who has talked about not wanting to look bad if he came back for not wanting to go thru the punishment, win or lose, that a fight with Lawler would likely entail. Now it seems that GSP has his sights set on a potential match with Michael Bisping for his newly minted middleweight title. Not that I’d be opposed to that, but, as I’ve stated time and again since UFC 199, I’d much rather see the Bisping-Dan Henderson rematch.

Another reason I’m not so keen on a Bisping-GSP tango is the fact that if GSP wins -- the most likely outcome in my opinion -- what do you do with the title? Obviously I can’t speak for Georges, but I can’t imagine him sticking around to face the likes of Luke Rockhold, Ronaldo Souza, Chris Weidman and the rest of the monsters lurking at 185. GSP was never a massive welterweight and despite my belief he could compete with those guys in his prime we have to face the likely truth that his prime is past.

I’m not sure if you guys have been watching combat sports closely but there aren’t too many successful comebacks from fighters who’ve been away as long as GSP. In a game like MMA where it is constantly evolving it can be even more difficult. While he has a skillset that is heavy on wrestling and positional dominance -- skills that would be desirable in any era -- his lack of high-end competition and long sabbatical from the sport could be troublesome.

Still, if he is completely healthy and the fears of permanent disability have been assuaged, I’m more than excited to see the man I view as the G.O.A.T. back in the cage against the right kind of opposition. Who do I mean by the right type of competition? Well, let me explain.

I honestly don’t want to see the Washington Wizards version of Michael Jordan when GSP heads back to the Octagon. So, with that in mind, I’d like to see him matched with fighters who are in the same boat as him. Say and Anderson Silva, a fighter who is clearly on the wrong side of the career arc, but who is still a good fighter that will do good business.

Truthfully, with GSP’s pedigree, it would probably be easier to name the guys I’d rather not see him fight. The aforementioned middleweight contenders and some of the serious hitters at welterweight, a Lawler, Condit, Woodley, etc. would be the guys I’d steer clear of at first. If he shows he still has it after a couple fights then I’d say let the reins out and see how far he can run.

Tell me, would any of you really be shocked if GSP, at 35 years of age, came back and did some serious damage at 170?

Yeah, me neither.

I just don’t want to see him return only to be ushered back out on a rail. I’d truly be happiest if he just rode off into the sunset as the best fighter MMA has seen to date but that seems pretty unlikely at this point. That said, there are a lot of good fights to be made that can both let him know where he stands competitively in 2016 and make everyone involved a lot of money.

Another weird caveat is the fact that his protégé Rory McDonald is likely headed to free agency now that his UFC contract is up. Should he leave for greener pastures that would leave the welterweight division void of any real conflicts for the former champ.

At one point there was quite a bit of talk about McDonald working his way into the title picture while that belt still sat around GSP’s waist. None of that talk will infect the dialogue surrounding a St. Pierre return to the division. OK, tinfoil hat off now.

At the end of the day this decision belongs to one person: Georges St. Pierre. If he feels he is mentally and physically ready to return to fighting then who are we to tell him otherwise? I truly do look forward to watching the best ever get back to work.

Sherdog.com Executive Editor Greg Savage can be reached by email or Twitter @TheSavageTruth. If you would like to have your question or comment answered in the weekly Postal Connections mailbag, please submit them by Wednesday evening each week.