Anger at UFC officials helped keep St. Pierre from returning
Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre did a pair of interviews this week that shed new light on his decision to vacate his title and walk away from the sport, seemingly in his prime.
St. Pierre said on Chael Sonnen's podcast that frustration with Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta was part of why he retired after a controversial title defense victory over Johny Hendricks at UFC 169 in 2013.
"I'm going to tell you the truth. If this whole thing had not happened after the fight . . . maybe I would have already been back and maybe I would have given the rematch to Johny Hendricks," St-Pierre said.
The former champion expressed frustration with the organization's drug testing policy, but felt his complaints were falling on deaf ears.
A post-fight meeting with White and Fertitta turned ugly, according to St. Pierre. He said they tried to bar him from the news conference, though UFC officials have denied that happened.
White used the news conference that night to express dismay at St. Pierre's post-fight announcement he would take a break from the sport.
FoxSports.com has more details on St. Pierre's recent interviews discussing his lingering feelings from everything that went down that night and the ensuing weeks.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj
