All UFC Thread

[andyt5303]

Just heard GSP on the MMA hour and he confirmed he is NOT fighting on the Toronto card and that he is a free agent...

He said they had a deal in place with Lorenzo before the UFC sold and that the new owners didn't want to match what he said was very very reasonable deal. I think he said the UFC would have to put a lot of money into marketing to 're-introduce' GSP into the 'new' UFC audience. (Ridiculous I know)

Dispite this I believe he still has his contract with the UFC and it hasn't been terminated (yet) so there is still hope that he will return one day even if it isn't in the UFC but definitely not in the near future.

 

[underdog140]

Not only is he not fighting on the Toronto card .... He is a free agent.

“Right now I’m a free agent,” the mixed martial arts superstar told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “You heard it right. I’m a free agent. My lawyers terminated the contract with the UFC.”

http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/georges-st-pierre-gsp-now-free-agent-ufc-contract-terminated/

 

[OzExorcist]

Woohoo! He's finally free to sign with Bellator, take all the sponsorships he likes and finally give the fans the superfight with Royce Gracie that everyone's been asking for all these years!

 

[Rincewind]

Don't think George is free to do anything. He is still contracted to the UFC. This is all just a pressure play from him.

Unfortunately for him the UFC know he has zero leverage here. He's going nowhere.

 

[underdog140]

I don't think GSP is the type of person to say that he was a free agent unless it was true. UFC would be all over that statement claiming other wise if it wasn't.

Keep in mind his UFC contract was before the Reebok deal took place. So it is possible the Deal UFC has with Reebok makes it possible for GSP to get out of his.

GSP likely has he can use his own sponsors in his old contract. Reebok came along and that is no longer the case. So that means UFC isn't living up to their end of the contract. Very possible he would be allowed to void the contract and be a free agent.

 

[kruseraww]

well I use to go to school with a buddy in mn seriously we practiced wrestling to gather an he took 4th in state one year he is 7-1 in mma right now I would hope if he ever made it to the ufc he would be victorious an stay champ

 

[KUN_AGUERO_KROOS]

I think he said the UFC would have to put a lot of money into marketing to 're-introduce' GSP into the 'new' UFC audience. (Ridiculous I know)

Is it ridiculous?

All those bandwagoners who started following MMA after the Conor hype begun have never seen GSP fight.

 

[underdog140]

It's not like he has been gone for 20 years. He hasn't been forgotten. His comeback fight will do huge numbers. He doesn't need to be "re-introduce". All they would have to do is announce GSP comeback at UFC 205 and market him the same as they did in the past. It wouldn't cost anymore than marketing any of the current stars. The claim it would cost too much is just a negotiation tactic imo. Just an attempt to get GSP to soften up on what he wants for a return.


http://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/geor...ment-claims-georges-st-pierre-still-contract/

“Georges St-Pierre remains under an existing agreement with Zuffa, LLC as his MMA promoter,” the statement said. “Zuffa intends to honor its agreement with St-Pierre and reserves its rights under the law to have St-Pierre do the same.”

 

[Rincewind]

Is it ridiculous?

All those bandwagoners who started following MMA after the Conor hype begun have never seen GSP fight.

Yeah isn't it terrible when a new face emerges and brings new interest to a sport. I mean, how is a promotion like the UFC going to survive with all this new interest!!??



New faces, means new fans for the sport. As someone who has loved this sport for over 20 years, I think new interest is only a good thing. So what if they are bandwagon supporters? They are paying plenty good money to further the sport I love and the athletes I admire.

 

[Rincewind]

It's not like he has been gone for 20 years. He hasn't been forgotten. His comeback fight will do huge numbers. He doesn't need to be "re-introduce". All they would have to do is announce GSP comeback at UFC 205 and market him the same as they did in the past. It wouldn't cost anymore than marketing any of the current stars. The claim it would cost too much is just a negotiation tactic imo. Just an attempt to get GSP to soften up on what he wants for a return.


http://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/geor...ment-claims-georges-st-pierre-still-contract/

“Georges St-Pierre remains under an existing agreement with Zuffa, LLC as his MMA promoter,” the statement said. “Zuffa intends to honor its agreement with St-Pierre and reserves its rights under the law to have St-Pierre do the same.”

Yup, as I said above, GSP aint going nowhere. Zuffa and/or whoevers name is over the UFC door will make sure he sees out his contract.

Randy tried and failed. Rampage tried and failed. GSP is putting on a big front, saying he is a free agent when he knows he is not. Its all a bluff. Boohoo George, you think you were the only one who lost sponsorship money? You were/are one of the chosen lucky few that will retire as a multi millionaire from this sport. Take the (very generous) 5mil (est) thats being offered to you, shut the **** up, and fight.

We all know thats how its gonna end up anyway.

 

[underdog140]

Normally I would agree, many tried and failed as you mention but if memory serves right ... all ( most ? ) fighters UFC already had under contract signed new contracts after the Reebok deal was introduce because it was no longer possible for the UFC to honor the prior deals.

I am no lawyer but I would guess if GSP is willing to fight within the terms of his current contract ( which would mean he doesn't have to represent Reebok and gets to use his own sponsors ) and UFC is not allowing that, Then it looks like it is very possible a good lawyer and a reasonable Judge would allow him to move on from the contract. Unless somehow UFC seen this possible outcome before GSP signed his contract and has something stated otherwise in it.

Agreed it's all a mute point .... he either works things out and fights for the UFC or don't fight at all. Very small likely hood he fights elsewhere regardless of if he is a free agent or not. He wants to be at the top and he knows the only place to be there is in the UFC.

 

[Rincewind]

He wants to be at the top and he knows the only place to be there is in the UFC.

Thats a romantic notion but its very naive of you to think so. He doesn't give a maple flavoured sh1t about being on top any more. He wants money.

And thats why he will stay with the UFC. Even their worst offer will be greater by many multiples than the best offer that anyone else can put forward.

 

[underdog140]

Of course he wants money but being at the top is a close second. He wouldn't risk coming back if he didn't think he could hang / beat the best in the division. He isn't a person that would take that kind of risk. Just look how safe he fought in his later fights.

 

[KUN_AGUERO_KROOS]

Not surprised you talk about my wife being a conor fanboy. That shows what a coward you are offending my family when you know you wouldn't dare to do that face to face.

 

[Rincewind]

Not surprised you talk about my wife being a conor fanboy. That shows what a coward you are offending my family when you know you wouldn't dare to do that face to face.

LOL the faux outrage is misplaced my friend and quite comical actually!!

You need to toughen yourself up a little if you are going take everything so personally on the INTERNET!!

You are rapidly descending towards total meltdown with your
anti Irish/anti McGregor vitriol! Thank god I've a thick skin or I might be offended!!

 

[Rincewind]

Of course he wants money but being at the top is a close second. He wouldn't risk coming back if he didn't think he could hang / beat the best in the division. He isn't a person that would take that kind of risk. Just look how safe he fought in his later fights.

That was all when there was titles on the line. Coming back now is for money and money only. Totally different scenario.

 

[underdog140]

What makes you think no titles are on the line ? His first fight back will be for a title shot if he wants it. You're fooling yourself if you think GSP doesn't have the title on his mind when thinking about a come back.

 

[OzExorcist]

A GSP comeback doesn't have to be for a title - it can just be a big money superfight. It doesn't need to be for a title for it to do big numbers. Conor's non-title fights proved that.

In fact I think the UFC would be nuts to introduce him into the welterweight (or middleweight) title pictures, particularly until they know what sort of form he's going to come back in. All respect in the world to GSP but he's not a young guy and win lose or draw, he can't have that many fights left in him. They'd just be putting off the future of the division to get one or two more fights out of him as "champion", and those fights would probably do the same numbers regardless of whether a title was on the line or not.

Not fighting for the title gives them way more matchmaking freedom to make fights that people will want to see too.

As for GSP wanting titles and "to be at the top".... sorry but that just doesn't gel with his wanting to leave the UFC. If he really wants titles and to prove he's still at the top, the UFC is literally the only place he can do that. Who's he going to fight outside the UFC that would prove that point? Ben Askren? Andrey Koreshkov? Jon Fitch?!?

He can probably get one or two big paydays outside of the UFC if he wants to make money (Rizin would likely pay him Fedor money, for example). But there's nowhere outside the UFC he can prove that he's "at the top" if that's what he actually cares about.

 

[Rincewind]

What makes you think no titles are on the line ? His first fight back will be for a title shot if he wants it. You're fooling yourself if you think GSP doesn't have the title on his mind when thinking about a come back.

Yes because George the noble warrior renounces all claims to wealth and riches!!

You have a seriously warped view of fighters and their professional priorities.

He's back for money. Simple. He'd be a fool to take a title fight with the likes of Tyron Woodley or Wonderboy when there is a fortune to be made elsewhere.

He's already the greatest WW of all time. Why does he need to win that title again when the big money is elsewhere? And whatever about WW, there is not a snowballs chance in hell that he goes straight for a MW title fight.

There is a reason why he requested a 10m flat fee. He wants one big payday (2 at a huge push) and he is gone again.

 

[underdog140]

LOL @ Yes because George the noble warrior renounces all claims to wealth and riches!!

Of course he is coming back for money but like I already explained. GSP isn't the type of guy that would come back if he thought he was just going to lose. He has been playing it safe for most of his career. Which is why Nick Diaz / Nate Diaz / Conor were some of the names mentioned for his comeback fight. Anderson and a WW title fight were the other popular choices.

And I never said anything about a MW title shot..... But since you brought it up .... If GSP wanted his come back fight to be against Micheal Bisping then that is who his comeback fight would be against.

A GSP comeback doesn't have to be for a title - it can just be a big money superfight. It doesn't need to be for a title for it to do big numbers. Conor's non-title fights proved that.

Agreed it doesn't have to be. But if he wanted it .. he would get it. He could have a super fight with Andreson or a pure money fight with Conor ... He can fight a guy like Nate / Nick Diaz but all roads eventually will lead to him fighting for the title again. The only road that doesn't is him losing to someone in the WW division on his return.

As for GSP wanting titles and "to be at the top".... sorry but that just doesn't gel with his wanting to leave the UFC. If he really wants titles and to prove he's still at the top, the UFC is literally the only place he can do that. Who's he going to fight outside the UFC that would prove that point? Ben Askren? Andrey Koreshkov? Jon Fitch?!?

He can probably get one or two big paydays outside of the UFC if he wants to make money (Rizin would likely pay him Fedor money, for example). But there's nowhere outside the UFC he can prove that he's "at the top" if that's what he actually cares about.

No-where, that I have read ,has said he wanted to leave. From my understanding he only announced he is a free agent. That doesn't = wanting to leave. I have a hard time seeing GSP fighting outside of the UFC. But who knows.

He has been with his sponsor since the beginning of his carrier. So probably feels some loyalty to them plus they pay him a crazy amount of money. His current contract allows him to use that sponsor. With the Reebok deal ... UFC isn't allowed to let him. And that is the issue for his return or so I read.


Michael Bisping open to Georges St-Pierre UFC title fight

http://www.mmamania.com/2016/6/13/1...-send-georges-st-pierre-back-to-movie-set-mma

http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/6/2...s-michael-bisping-title-fight-as-first-choice

"There are two things I'm very proud of," St-Pierre said on The MMA Hour. "There's my title -- my welterweight title that I won -- and there's another record that I hold for the most wins in UFC history. And now I have someone who's challenging me for it in Michael Bisping.

"I do not believe, if I fight him, he will send me back to a movie set. Yes, he's bigger than me, but I believe I've got more skill, more athleticism, and a higher fighting IQ than he does. The world doesn't turn around me, but if it's a fight that the fans and the UFC want to make, they've got my number. They can call my agent, no problem. We can organize to make it happen and make an agreement."

 

[Rincewind]

He has been with his sponsor since the beginning of his carrier. So probably feels some loyalty to them plus they pay him a crazy amount of money. His current contract allows him to use that sponsor. With the Reebok deal ... UFC isn't allowed to let him. And that is the issue for his return or so I read.

What sponsor are you referring to here? You're language here seems to suggest you are talking about a specific one. His biggest as far as I remember was Under Armour but they were not with him at the start of his career so you cant mean them.

I would be very keen to know which of his sponsors pay a ''crazy'' enough amount of money to an inactive athlete that would contribute to making him willing to announce himself as a free agent.

Also I have never seen or heard of fighters personal sponsorship deals specifically protected in their UFC contract like you mentioned. Most pre-Reebok contracts didn't even mention sponsors beyond the standard stuff about not using sponsors whose affiliation would damage the reputation of the promotion.

 

[underdog140]

Under Armour

You are correct .. they weren't with him since the start. I should have fact checked that before posting. I believe they signed him in 2009.

Forbes in 2013

Rush is the best paid UFC star inside the octagon and out of it. His biggest endorsement deals are with Under Armour.....

These deals are all multi-year contracts and each one is worth seven-figures.

Under Armour exec Steve Battista described St-Pierre as the “Michael Jordan of MMA,” when the company signed Rush to a deal in 2009. Friday Night Lights director Peter Berg, who headed up a series of commercials for Under Armour, called GSP “one of the greatest athletes alive today,”

Under Armour is his big sponsor and is the one sponsor constantly being mentioned in failed negotiations in the media. Looks like the deal is worth a gntd $1 Million + a year.


Edit: Not 100 % sure how the contracts are I would assume everything would be detailed and covered in them including sponsors.

Another quote showing GSP mind set for his return.

“You heard it right,” St. Pierre told Helwani. “I’m a free agent. My lawyer terminated the contract with the UFC.”

"I'm truly confident I can beat the guys that are champions right now, I'm that confident,”

 

[Rincewind]

That piece you quoted was from when George was an active fighter though. What is his current position with Under-Armour?? That's all that's really relevant here, not his situation 7 years ago.

And if that's his biggest sponsor then his argument for keeping them doesn't hold much water, considering a return to the UFC would be worth 5 million plus without ANY outside endorsements.

You assume incorrectly re: contracts.

Most fighters contracts made very little mention of sponsors in the pre Reebok days. Have not seen anything to suggest that GSP's was any different. It was deliberately done that way to allow for something like the Reebok deal, giving fighters no legal recourse. This was all widely discussed during the transition to Reebok.

 

[OzExorcist]

That piece you quoted was from when George was an active fighter though. What is his current position with Under-Armour?? That's all that's really relevant here, not his situation 7 years ago.

He's still listed on the Under Armour website as one of their sponsored athletes, if that's what you're asking:

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/ua-roster

Fourth row from the top. So one assumes if he's still listed, then they're still paying him something.

 

[Rincewind]

He's still listed on the Under Armour website as one of their sponsored athletes, if that's what you're asking:

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/ua-roster

Fourth row from the top. So one assumes if he's still listed, then they're still paying him something.

Could he still be getting 1m+ a year though, after being inactive for nearly 3 years now?

Thats quite a retainer if he is.