St. Pierre (left) and Condit (photo via UFC)

Despite Talk of Super Fight, Georges St. Pierre Remaining Focused on Carlos Condit

By FCF Staff

In preparation for the return of its welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre on November 17th, the Ultimate Fighting Championship held a teleconference today to promote his upcoming bout with interim champ Carlos Condit.

St. Pierre will be competing for the first time since April, 2011, when he worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Jake Shields. The Canadian was scheduled to fight Nick Diaz later that year, however, a knee injury and surgery removed him from the bout.

Condit ended up facing Diaz at UFC 143 in February and earned a UD victory over the fighter, to entrench a meeting with GSP.

UFC 154 will be hosted by Montreal’s Bell Centre on November 17^th and will be available by PPV.

Here were some of the highlights from today’s call, which also featured UFC President Dana White and Director of Canadian Operations, Tom Wright.

When asked where the UFC 154 main event fight ranks in the history of the UFC, White said “it’s huge” and repeated that St. Pierre is the biggest PPV draw for the company.

Condit relayed that he does “feel like an underdog,” but added that he doesn’t believe GSP’s time on the sidelines will be a big factor.

When asked if a report that Anderson Silva will be in attendance, and if it might prompt a post-fight call out, White stated that Silva will be in attendance to cheer GSP on and added that Silva wants to fight St. Pierre next.

The champion proceeded to say that “Silva can do whatever he wants” and that he’s completely focused on Condit.St. Pierre relayed that he’s been training with Tristar teammate Rory MacDonald for the bout, who was defeated by Condit in June, 2010.

Condit admitted that all the talk about St. Pierre’s next opponent, and a super fight with Silva, is motivating and that he feels many people are overlooking him. The interim champ also said that he doesn’t believe St. Pierre is looking past him.

Condit also stated that as fan, he would be interested in seeing St. Pierre and Silva fight, and that they are two are of the greatest fighters in the sport.

When asked why he believes GSP is the sport’s biggest draw, White said the champion represents the sport well, and that because a “whole country” in Canada is behind him. He also added that “it sucks” from a business perspective when St. Pierre can’t compete.

St. Pierre relayed that he was “really happy” with how he performed against Fitch, and added that some critics are bad, and some are good, in terms of the argument that he doesn’t finish opponents enough.

White said “I have no idea” when asked if the winner of Johny Hendricks and Martin Kampmann will fight for the title next, and that it depends on what happens November 17^th.

White dismissed the idea of Condit fighting Silva next if he wins the welterweight title.

When asked if some of the tickets for UFC 154 may be overpriced, White relayed that the gate is already over 3 million dollars, but conceded that some tickets may be too expensive.

White was asked how Nick Diaz fits into the title shot mix, the UFC President said “we’ll see what happens” and added that the fighter still has to get licensed after his suspension ends in February.

GSP admitted that he’s interested in fighting Diaz but that he’s focused on fighting the best opponent and that’s Condit .

St. Pierre said “of course I will” when asked if he will train again at Jackson’s MMA, where Condit has also spent considerable time training.

Condit revealed that he still corresponds with Greg Jackson at the gym, and that despite the fact the coach isn’t advising him, not much has changed in his preparation.

White was asked about where a Silva-GSP fight might take place, he said the options would be Roger’s Centre in Toronto, Cowboy Stadium in Dallas, or a soccer stadium in Brazil.

White also revealed that the promotion has had talks with the Dallas Cowboys and that “they’re ready” to host a UFC card when needed.