Georges St-Pierre reportedly training as if he is fighting at UFC 206

Former UFC welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre had been rumored for quite some time to be ending his indefinite hiatus from the Octagon, and returning to the UFC at UFC 206 in Toronto on December 10th.

According to the reports that continued to surface, St-Pierre would be ending his hiatus and returning to the Octagon for the card to fight UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping in the main event. Unfortunately, negotiations between St-Pierre and the UFC brass failed, and St-Pierre was forced to release a statement to Bisping, saying:

“Nothing would make me more happy in the world to fight you in Toronto, Michael. Last week I met with Ari, and I made peace with Dana [White]. I tried to resolve things, but unfortunately, right now it’s not happening. Hopefully, things will change soon. Thank you”

Now, with news that UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has withdrawn from his UFC 206 scrap with Anthony Johnson just two weeks before the event, the UFC is scrambling to find a replacement opponent for Johnson, and has yet to announce what fight will now serve as the main event for the card.

According to Robin Black, St-Pierre is training as if he is fighting on the card:

“I was sat right next to Georges St-Pierre for two and a half hours. One of the things he told me was he is staying in shape for UFC 206. Two weeks out, GSP is in fight shape and he wants to fight, that’s a fact. Can these guys get this thing done? That is in play for sure. (Georges manager) is on the phone to them right now, this is in play. All of a sudden for thirteen days, it’s nothing but (GSP). This mentality that it’s all about the lead up, that’s old school. Even in movies, there’s no proof that it works in this crowded landscape. It’s the hot ten days before that are the hot ten days. He’s training as if he’s fighting on that day.”

Could the stars finally be aligning for St-Pierre to return to the Octagon on short notice?