GSP: I’m wealthy, don’t have to keep my mouth shut

Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is on an indefinite break from the sport, but has been outspoken at times about changes he wants to see, most notably stronger PED testing, which he now has. He recently spoke with Spencer Lazara for MMA Interviews and other members of the media, and discussed his unique place in the fight business, and what allows him to be outspoken.

“I’m wealthy now,” said GSP, as transcribed by David St. Martin for MMAFighting.com. “A few years ago, I didn’t make as much money. It was easy for people to say, ‘Oh yeah? You’re talking bad about us? Out. You’re out. We don’t hire you.’ There are a lot of guys in the same situation. They think the same things as me, but they don’t have the power I have. I don’t need to fight anymore. If I don’t want to fight, I am wealthy, I am happy. I don’t need this anymore. I don’t have to. Maybe I would like to, but I don’t need to.”

“Some of the guys, when you’re a professional athlete, it’s not a jet set life. It’s a very hard life. These guys, they don’t make a lot of money. They need to keep their mouths shut. If you open it and say what you think, you saw what happened in the Reebok thing. If you talk bad about certain things you’re kicked out.

“Some of these guys, they need the income. I understand that and I’m no different. But now I’m in a position where I can say what I think. I’m just not disrespectful. I don’t say names or anything, but this is a problem. I’m talking for a lot of people. Trust me.”

GSP cited the ascendance of his TriStar teammate Rory MacDonald to welterweight title shot status as a reason to stay out of the sport. However, MacDonald fell vs. UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, and the UFC has a strong PED testing program in place, and GSP has not fought since November of 2013.

The star are aligned for GSP to return.