GSP vacates UFC belt; Hendricks vs. Lawler at UFC 171

By TXMMA Staff | Photos by Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre takes indefinite leave from competition; Vacates UFC Belt

DALLAS, TX, December 13. 2013 – The rampart speculation surround the future of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre has now come to an end with his announcement earlier today that he will be taking an infinite break from fighting and thus relinquishing the championship belt he’s held twice since 2006 and defending nine times since winning it back from Matt Serra in April 2008.

UFC President Dana White was also on the call today as GSP cited the pressures of fighting and ‘obsessively’ preparing for each opponent he’s faced over the course of all these years along with some personal issues as his reason for the decision.

“15 of my fights were for a world title,” said St-Pierre. “It is a lot of pressure. I decided I need to take time off. I know the UFC is a business they can’t wait for my little self. One day when I feel like it I might come back, but right now I need a break. So I vacate my belt.”

“I have to take a break. I can’t go through a camp right now… So I vacated my title.”

St. Pierre continued on that he feels great physically. For him it’s more mentally and emotionally where fighting has taken its toll as he clears up some issues in his private life.

“I never felt better physically, It is emotionally I need this. I want to live a little bit of a normal life. (I will be part of Tristar) but I won’t have the pressure of competing. I will keep training as I am a martial artist… I think one day I will be back… I can’t give a time for a return as that would put pressure on me.”

“My life is a zoo right now,” he said, laughing. “I know you guys are trying, but I am not going to tell you anything personal. I am content (with my legacy). I wanted to do things to be remembered, to take the sport to the next level.”

For his past, UFC president Dana White was supportive of the decision to leave made by  the promotion’s top draw of all time.

“I agree with Georges 100%,” he said. “He sat down with us and said ‘I have a lot of person problems right now. I cant imagine doing another camp.’ This is fighting man. You have to be 100% emotionally and physically. The issues he’s dealing with outside the octagon are driving him nuts. He’s obsessing about it.”

New champion to be crowned at UFC 171 in Dallas; Johny Hendricks to face Robbie Lawler for vacant welterweight title

Continuing on at the presser, Dana White wasted no time in announcing the future of the welterweight division. Of course this includes crowning a new champion and he didn’t have to go far in looking for the likeliest of contenders.

“March 15, Dallas, Texas, Johny Hendricks is fighting Robbie Lawler for the world title.”

To clarify, Dana is talking about UFC 171, planned for March 15th at the American Airlines Arena.

Johny Hendricks (15-2) will get his shot to become the first UFC welterweight champion in the post GSP era on the heels of his controversial split decision loss suffered to St. Pierre at UFC 167 this past November.

As for Robbie Lawler (22-9), he also gets his opportunity also following UFC 167 where he upset GSP teammate Rory MacDonald to win his third straight bout and become an immediate contender in the division.

Here’s the current fight card planned for UFC 171 as its taking shape as of today:

UFC 171 Fight Card

• 205 lbs.: Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira  * TITLE FIGHT
• 170 lbs.: Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler  * TITLE FIGHT
• 170 lbs.: Carlos Condit vs. TBD
• 205 lbs.: Thiago Silva vs. Ovince St. Preux
• 170 lbs.: Hector Lombard vs. Jake Shields
• 170 lbs.: Diego Sanchez vs. Myles Jury
• 170 lbs.: Alex Garcia vs. Sean Spencer