White knows 'for a fact' GSP will return; Sonnen-Wanderlei fight 'not done yet'
DALLAS -- UFC 171 is all about showcasing welterweights in the post-Georges St-Pierre. Maybe that latter part is a little premature.
UFC president Dana White said Thursday that he knows "for a fact" that St-Pierre is going to return to the UFC. GSP has not told him this forthright, but the two have texted recently, perhaps thawing what quickly became a rather icy relationship between the promoter and former welterweight champion.
White fielded a question about the new 170-pound hierarchy, which will be hashed out Saturday here at 171 when Johny Hendricks meets Robbie Lawler for the welterweight title and Carlos Condit and Tyron Woodley meet in a top contender bout.
"Is it fun for Georges St-Pierre to be gone?" White said during UFC 171 media day at American Airlines Center. "I wouldn't say it's fun. But the welterweight division is exciting right now. When Georges does come back, whoever is standing there will be a fun fight."
White was pressed on his use of the word "when" instead of "if." St-Pierre has been non-committal about his return since November after UFC 167 when he decided he needed a break from the sport.
"I know for a fact he will [come back]," White said.
White was then asked if maybe Nevada's ban on TRT and the UFC following the state in regions it acts as its commission will have an effect on St-Pierre returning. GSP has been outspoken since going on sabbatical about the UFC needing better drug testing.
"That's not why he's gone," White said. "He's not gone because of TRT or any of that stuff. He's gone because he has personal problems he needs to deal with. A lot of that stuff got blown out of proportion."
SONNEN-SILVA SETBACK
The potential matchup between Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva has hit a snag, but White is confident it will still happen May 31 in Brazil. White wouldn't say that the issue is, but ruled out Sonnen not able to get a TRT exemption, money and Silva ducking his rival.
White said it'll all make sense as The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil unravels on UFC Fight Pass. Sonnen and Silva are coaching against one another.
"Not done yet," White said. "I gotta get that done."
WHO'S NEXT FOR ROUSEY?
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan said on the radio two weeks ago that a big announcement about women's MMA and Ronda Rousey's next opponent would be coming. White wasn't ready to make any Thursday.
Dana White said Joe Rogan apologized for comments he made about a big announcement coming about women's MMA.
White did say that he would be meeting with top women's bantamweight prospect Holly Holm and her management this weekend in Dallas. He also added that the UFC would not do a catchweight to accommodate Gina Carano, who has a history of struggling to make 145 and 140 pounds. Rousey is the champion at 135.
Rogan's remarks completely took on a life of their own and White said he apologized for them.
Quick jabs: White said the cost of putting on a UFC live event is $1.2 million -- no matter if it's Fight Pass or a pay-per-view. That's just production costs. ... Daniel Cormier will fight again at light heavyweight before getting a title shot, per White. ... White announced there would be two events on Fourth of July weekend as part of International Fight Week.
