“It’s official, I’m back” with those four words on his Instagram page video, former three time UFC world lightweight champion George St. Pierre announced his return to the octagon, the UFC octagon. St.Pierre re-signed with the UFC after a lengthy and tedious negotiation process. He left the UFC in 2013 after beating Johnny Hendricks in UFC 167 by split decision. Pierre walked away after the win citing the need for time off and to decompress. He also questioned how the UFC was conducting its drug tests.
Several possible opponents have been named to fight St. Pierre, among them Tyron Woodley, Stephen Thompson and Michael Bisping. St. Pierre may face the winner of the Woodley-Thompson title fight in UFC 209. St. Pierre may opt to go down to 155.
In November of 2016, word from the grapevine was St. Pierre was going to join Bjorn Rebney and sign up with Bellator however these were only rumors. St. Pierre also publicly supported fighters trying to establish the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA).
At the time of his “retirement”, St. Pierre was on a 12 fight winning streak. Personally, I’d like to see him fight Michael Bisping as Bisping has shown he can sell and market his fights, him and his mouth. Woodley may give St. Pierre some problems with his athleticism.
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The defending champions, the De La Salle University Green Archers have secured commitments from NCAA Juniors MVP 6’3” Troy Mallilin and Chang Kai Shek Blue Dragons’ 6’4” forward Jonas Tibayan. Tibayan received recruiting pitches from Far Eastern University, National University and Ateneo de Manila University as Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin was on hand to watch one of his games. Mallilin will give the champion Green Archers flexibility, versatility and length in the backcourt as the standout from La Salle Green Hills can play the 1, 2 and 3 positions.
Mallilin averaged close to 19ppg and 10rpg while Tibayan was a double double machine for the Blue Dragons. Both incoming rookies for the green and white will vie for the school’s third straight Rookie of the Year award after Andrei Caracut and Aljun Melecio. The defending champions will be losing five players from last season’s title winning squad:Jeron Teng, Jason Perkins, Julian Sargent and Thomas Torres graduated while Andrew Langston was invited to a tryout for the Virginia Tech Squires in the US NCAA.
Coach Aldin Ayo is not taking any chances by preparing for UAAP Season 80 as early as the beginning of the New Year 2017. Strength and conditioning will reportedly be the main focus of the defending champions. According to Ayo, the rookies will be given more playing time in this coming Filoil Flying V preseason invitational.