While the Tristar Gym coach expects St. Pierre to eventually compete in the UFC again, it won’t necessarily be soon. Citing health issues due to colitis, St. Pierre vacated the middleweight title he won with a third-round submission of Michael Bisping at UFC 217. Prior to that, “Rush” hadn’t fought since defending his welterweight crown against Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November 2013.
“I have no idea [how long he’ll be out].” Zahabi told Fight Hub TV. “I think he’s out for at least a year or two. I don’t know. We all love Georges but he’s put in so many years, he’s put in so many bouts, I don’t think it’s fair to ask him for more.”
In December, Zahabi indicated that St. Pierre would only return to the UFC for a ”big, exciting fight.” One name Zahabi mentioned was Conor McGregor, currently the promotion’s top pay-per-view draw. Regardless of whether that fight becomes a reality, Zahabi believes that St. Pierre’s competitive spirit will eventually lure him back into the Octagon once again.
“I think, personally, that he’s going to fight again,” Zahabi said. “He doesn’t know. Nobody knows but I think that he’s just so hyper-competitive that eventually he’s gonna wake up one day and be like, ‘I need a challenge.’ I just think that’s the person he is. That’s how I see him but we’ll have to wait and see.”