Issue 112
February 2014
ST-PIERRE RETIRES: HENDRICKS AND LAWLER TO FIGHT FOR VACANT BELT
The most dominant UFC welterweight in history, Georges St Pierre, has stepped away from mixed martial arts. The 32-year-old has vacated the 170lb title he won early in a 12-fight win streak, nine of which were title defenses. Top contenders Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler will now contest the vacant strap at UFC 171 in March.
St Pierre made the announcement on a media conference call on December 13th. The French Canadian said: “I’ve been fighting a very long time (at) a high level. It’s a lot of pressure, a lot of criticism, and I’ve decided I need to take time off.”
After his most recent title defense, a controversial decision over Johny Hendricks, St Pierre, who says he may still return to the sport, stated his desire to take a hiatus because of personal problems.
During the teleconference UFC president Dana White commented: “Georges St Pierre has a lot of money, and he could walk away forever if that’s what he chose to do. I honestly don’t believe he will do that. I think he will come back. He needs to button some things in his personal life and then you’ll see him again.”
BACKTALK
GEORGI KARAKHANYAN (WSOF 145lb champ): “St Pierre has owned the welterweight division for a number of years and has beaten every fighter put in front of him. Plus, I’m pretty sure he’s financially sound, so I believe he has made the smart decision and won’t run into the same issue Anderson Silva did. I think he lost his last fight with Johny Hendricks, so for him to retire right now is the perfect decision.”
WHAT'S HOT
MARK COLEMAN
He’s back! As BJ Penn’s team wrestling coach on the next TUF
UFC DIGITAL NETWORK
Sounds interesting…
ST PIERRE GOING OUT ON TOP
If he is gone, he did what so many couldn’t
WHAT'S NOT
‘NICE!’
Listen out for it the next time you watch an Ultimate Fighter bout. It’ll drive you insane
CAREERS CUT SHORT
Who knows what memories Shane Del Rosario could have given the MMA world?
Not Voting on the Fighters Only World MMA Awards
Be heard, FO universe!
UFC HEAVYWEIGHT SHANE DEL ROSARIO PASSES AWAY
UFC and Strikeforce heavyweight Shane Del Rosario has passed away at the age of 30. The six-year fighter, who earned an 11-2 record, was admitted to hospital on November 26th after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in California. Del Rosario was resuscitated but remained critically ill until his passing on December 8th. He had been scheduled to fight for the UFC at the end of December before pulling out with an injury. The Californian was known for his heavy hands, and even survived a serious car accident in 2011.
1
Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin says he will have one more fight before retiring.
75%
In the latter half of his 14-fight UFC career (which includes two five-round and one four-round fight), Gray Maynard has absorbed 75% of all the significant strikes he’s been hit with inside the Octagon.
