Georges St-Pierre is one of the most accomplished UFC fighters of all time. He’s run off 11 straight victories and is the greatest welterweight champion of all time.
But the Canadian says he’s “scared” ahead of his fight Saturday with Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in Las Vegas. In fact, being afraid is commonplace for GSP.
“I’m always scared,” St-Pierre said Thursday night on FOX Sports Live on FOX Sports 1. “It’s normal. I’m not scared of my opponent. I’m scared of myself, not being able to deliver what I should do. It’s the same feeling that keeps me sharp, keeps me alert. If I didn’t have that feeling, I should stop fighting.”
Hendricks, though, says he won’t be scared of anything when he enters the Octagon for the biggest fight of his life.
“It doesn’t matter,” Hendricks said on the “Fighting Words” segment. “All I want is the win.”
The two have been largely respectful toward each other leading up to the huge bout, which will also mark the UFC’s 20th anniversary. But one major thing they can’t agree on is drug testing.
St-Pierre wanted both men to be tested by the Volunteer Anti-Doping Agency (VADA). Hendricks declined and decided to be tested under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, per a recommendation by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Hendricks said: “WADA is a lot harder testing.”
“We need to go somewhere that is equal ground and they don’t care about you,” Hendricks said.
St-Pierre countered that WADA is simply the “guidelines” – WADA itself does not do any testing. He’s correct in that. VADA also says it uses WADA regulations in its testing.
“Educate yourself on the subject,” St-Pierre said.
Confused? You aren’t the only one.
But it really won’t matter Saturday night when the two enter the cage. Hendricks says he plans on knocking St-Pierre out and GSP also says he intends to go for the finish.
Rumors that St-Pierre could call it quits following this fight – win or lose – are untrue, according to the champion.
“I’m planning my next fight,” GSP said, “not planning my retirement.”
