UFC News: GSP Retirement Rumor, Mark Hunt - Bigfoot Rematch Update, Champ Undergoes Surgery
- Though Mark Hunt and Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva put on a fight for the ages that ended in a draw, it doesn't look like the two heavyweights will be running it back anytime soon. Ariel Helwani for UFC Tonight has revealed that Silva is looking to get back in the cage as soon as possible, while Hunt is going to be sidelined for some time with a broken hand. Bigfoot's management isn't interested in the bout or a long layoff and UFC president Dana White is apparently on board. We will likely be seeing Silva in action sooner than Hunt can recover.
- Rumors broke out earlier this week that UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre had called a press conference together for Friday and many assumed that he would be announcing his retirement. St-Pierre's future as a fighter has been up in the air since his controversial win over Johny Hendricks last month. St-Pierre insisted that he needed time off and vaguely indicated that his hiatus might be permanent. Since then, no news has surfaced in regards to his plans.
However, it looks like we can rule out the idea that he'll be officially retiring tomorrow. According to a report from UFC Tonight, St-Pierre had scheduled tomorrow's event prior to facing Hendricks. The event is to take place in a shopping mall and will be a twenty-minute question-and-answer session followed by an autograph signing. So, don't expect any news about the future of his career to emerge from tomorrow's engagement.
- In unfortunate news for top heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum, champ Cain Velasquez is going to need most of the upcoming year to recover from shoulder surgery. A report featured on UFC Tonight revealed that Velasquez underwent surgery this week for an injured shoulder and will need at least five to six months of rehabilitation before the champ can even get back to proper training. UFC president Dana White would reportedly like to see Werdum get back in the cage and not ride the sidelines until Velasquez is ready to fight. Velasquez is expected to be well enough to compete again at the end of next year.