:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24919357/201_gsp.0.jpg)
So much for 'The Decision part deux.' After a report claimed UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre had called a press conference for Friday in Montreal to announce his future plans, UFC president Dana White says it's much ado about nothing.
"That's not true. He's not making any announcement on Friday," White tells Canada's Sportsnet. "This thing was planned for months. He's going up to the opening of a mall. He's signing autographs with fans and he's doing 10 minutes with the media. People were talking about he called a press conference and all these other things. I'm not saying he might not having something to say in these 10 minutes, he might, but it's no crazy announcement like everyone was saying earlier."
White also felt the need to smooth some feathers with fans who felt he'd been overly critical of St-Pierre following his title bout with Johny Hendricks at UFC 167.
"Just for the record while we're on TV here in Canada, there's no doubt that I had a bit of a meltdown at the last press conference. But who's ever said more positive things about Georges St-Pierre in the last 13 years than me? Seriously. I mean if I had 475 Georges St-Pierre's my life would be very easy. My days would breeze by if everybody was a Georges St-Pierre or acted like Georges St-Pierre."
White also cleared up some confusion involving St-Pierre's trainer and UFC 167 cornerman, Kristof Midoux. A week after the fight, Midoux claimed White had called St-Pierre the following morning to apologize for his outburst during the post-fight press conference. Midoux also claimed White had told St-Pierre he now believed he rightfully won the fight, a direct contradiction to comments White made previously.
"I know that this guy who cornered him last time, who he first saw fight, said something like I said 'I watched the fight again and thought that he won.' That's not true. I've not watched the fight again and I never said that. Just to clear that up."
With constant speculation of St-Pierre's retirement from MMA, White remains doubtful.
"It's tough to say. Georges St-Pierre never said to me, 'I'm thinking about retiring.' The retirement word never came out of his mouth. Normally, when guys even think about retiring in this sport, you probably should. This isn't the type of sport where you're wishy washy one way of the other. You're either in or you're out. I don't think he's going to retire. I do know that he wants some time off, which is an issue, because he just had over a year off for his ACL surgery and recovery. We'll see. I'm scheduled to talk to Georges St-Pierre on Thursday when he gets back from his vacation. We'll see where we're at."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Details. UFC's Chief Content Officer Marshall Zelaznik explains what exactly fans can expect when they roll out their new digital service.
Out of sight. Chuck Mindenhall says Ben Askren may as well be fighting on the moon after signing with ONE FC.
Penn visiting Nova Uniao. Jose Aldo can't wait to train with and learn from B.J. Penn. "He has a lot of experience in the UFC, he's been fighting there for years, so his experience and technique will teach me a lot."
'Sports Innovator of the Year.' Sports Business Journal has voted Dana White the award after a 'remarkable' 2013. "If sports executives want to look at ways to really think outside the box commercially, they should take a look at what White has achieved this year."
Dog days. UFC stars break down what makes their training camps unbearable.
MEDIA STEW
Great stuff to remember Shane del Rosario by.
I watched this entire thing not realizing it wasn't about Darryl Strawberry. Mets thing threw me off.
Jon Jones and Frank Mir slap fight from their trip to Russia.
Vitor Belfort: The Values Enforcer.
For our Spanish speakers, Un Sueño Americano.
Ben Pierre-Saint vs. Donald Williams at SHINE 2.
Action from Nitrix 18:
Rodrigo Martinelli vs. Tiago Natã.
Erickson Lima vs. Marcel Adur.
Fabiano Hawthorne vs. Richard Godoy.
TWEETS
The Champ.
Great work in today! Best shape of my life. Can't wait to get in that cage and put a great show on for u guys!
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) December 11, 2013
But...
Um plano só é bom nas mãos de quem pode executá-lo ... pic.twitter.com/ZMN3uH9SAH
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) December 11, 2013
Lightweight mix.
Hey,best lightweights @NateDiaz209 @GilbertMelendez . I'm tired to wait for you. Are you willing? @ufc @danawhite @arielhelwani
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 10, 2013
@NateDiaz209 is afraid for a man to be able to say he beat both diaz bros! #stepup #forthefans #wworlw #dontbescaredhomie #ufc171 #dallas
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) December 11, 2013
Tj hurt & out for long time, josh stopped him so he's closer to pettis who's out for 8 months Still think there is a better fight for him?
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) December 11, 2013
Phil sounds miffed.
I just watched @Benaskren HL and all I got to say is he SUCKS ! I'd go through that chump like shit through a goose
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) December 10, 2013
That @Benaskren is so slow. So white boy. I thought my youtube was in slow mo
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) December 10, 2013
I'd fight him in a loser leaves @ONEFCMMA match
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) December 10, 2013
Canadians.
Man just got flipped off by some old man driving lol. Crazy people out there.
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) December 10, 2013
The Hulk.
Me and Big Lou on the grind today!! Rehab with The HULK pic.twitter.com/vCxuDFEHUJ
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 10, 2013
Congrats on the deals.
@MMAWorldSeries @arielhelwani just signed my 4 fight deal with WSOF! pic.twitter.com/lAo6OQHToD
— Tyler Stinson (@SteeMon84) December 10, 2013
Just realized I am the first Detroit Born&Raised and one of the youngest UFC Fighters! Dreams do come true. Hard Work, Dedication THATS IT!
— Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) December 11, 2013
Nice group.
The conversation was good after training,only old times'stories with Diogenes,Edmar, @rogerio_camoes @SpiderAnderson pic.twitter.com/B3DGOGEBR3
— Pedro Rizzo (@pedrorizzo1) December 10, 2013
A manager's work is never done.
@SAADMMA @krispykreme stay away from KK
— Mike Kogan (@MikeKogan) December 11, 2013
Impressive.
I already weigh 180 pic.twitter.com/HpdFyir8An
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) December 10, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 10 2013)
Brad Pickett vs. Ian McCall at UFC Fight Night London
John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick at UFC 169
Nate Loughran vs. Erick Silva at UFC Fight Night 36
Rodrigo Damm vs. Ivan Jorge at UFC Fight Night 36
Gunnar Nelson vs. Omari Akhmedov at UFC Fight Night London
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via EthanRubyMMA.
What really is the "2013 Fight of the Year"?
Throughout 2013, we have been witness to some of the greatest fights in MMA history, and with last nights main event being on of them many have turned and called it "Fight of the Year". In recent memory have I not heard this term throw out so loosely but for good reason, this year there have been so many fights that could be considered under "Fight of the Year".
So this makes you beg the question "What really is the fight of the year"? Some might say that last nights main event between Mark Hunt and Antonio Silva could be it. Others say that Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson was the "Fight of the Year", or GSP vs. Hendricks, or Brian Stann vs Wanderlei Silva and the list goes on and on. But what makes a fight the fight of the year? Is it the fight that the underdog comes out on top after a spectacular performance? is it a prospect breaking out of prospect form into a contender? Is it when they the fighters throw caution to the wind and have an entertaining slugfest or when two veterans throw down and have an extremely technical battle? Is it the blow out, or the fight that comes down to the wire? Fights can be broken down in so many ways and none two are the same and for that reason it is so hard to come down to the one that was the best, the that got the blood flowing and your adrenaline pumping.
Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.
Get the latest gear
