Georges St-Pierre has opened up about why he made the decision not to accept a major fight with Nate Diaz.
The match-up between the two UFC legends would’ve undoubtedly caught the imagination of the public.
Georges St-Pierre turned down UFC superfight with Nate Diaz
In a sport, that has produced a plethora of stars, Georges St-Pierre and Nate Diaz, undeniably stand out as two of the biggest names the world of MMA has ever seen.
With completely contrasting personalities, the pair of gifted athletes would’ve gelled for an intriguing battle.
In one corner, stands a Canadian icon, who represents everything a martial artist should aspire to be, and in the other, a gangster-esque brawler, who’s won the hearts of the fans with his entertaining wars and captivating aura.
The potential clash would’ve also had an extra layer of spice, with ‘GSP’ having already beaten Nate’s older brother Nick Diaz.
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Alas, St-Pierre turned down the opportunity to make the fight, explaining that there was simply nothing to gain.
In an interview on the JRE MMA Show, the two-weight world champion, said: “I considered it. However, I analyzed it, I talked with my trainer, Firas Zahabi, and everybody, we were all on the same page on that — it’s not worth it.
“If you put yourself in my shoes, there’s nothing good that can come out of it, except money, but that isn’t the only thing that drives me.
“He’s a big guy; he’s about the same size as me. But because I competed at 170 for most of my career, it would make me look bad; it would make me look like a bully. And this is if I win decisively.
“For example, if I win in a war and it’s back-and-forth, people would say, ‘he sucked’ If I lose, forget it, for my legacy, this is the end of the world.”
Georges St-Pierre opens up about the mind game Nick Diaz successfully used against him
In all likelihood, a scrap with Nate Diaz would conjure up memories of what ‘Rush’ had to go through with his brother.
St-Pierre was always a fighter who liked to show respect to his opponents, but Nick Diaz made it very difficult for him.
The Stockton phenom went above and beyond to get under his rival’s skin.
And according to GSP, one mind game Diaz implemented, actually worked.
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