Georges St-Pierre is one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, and it would be downright wrong to state otherwise. The guy is a three-time UFC Welterweight Champion and has put in a string of successful performances during his time with the company, leaving some to believe he is legitimately a cyborg.
Alas, his final fight against Johny Hendricks proved otherwise, and since that night we haven't seen the Superstar step back inside the Octagon. Numerous reports of contract disputes and different issues have seen his long-awaited return delayed, leaving fans to ponder if they'll ever see their hero fight again.
But we want to be a little more optimistic than that, especially given how strong the division is right now. With a whole host of guys desperate to make it to the top, the talent pool is deeper than ever and GSP would have to work harder than ever in order to find the form that made him a legend.
Whether you love him or not, the guy is the ultimate example of class and style in the Octagon. So with that being said, let's take a look at five potential opponents for St-Pierre if he does, in fact, choose to return.
A quick note - Anderson Silva doesn't feature because let's be honest, it's not the same fight it would've been a few years ago.
#1 Tyron Woodley
This one is obvious, even though it doesn't necessarily seem right to thrust the former Champion back into the title picture so soon. Woodley has been on fire over the last few years, culminating in his capture of the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Following on from such an impressive feat can be hard sometimes, but his performance against Stephen Thompson proved that he was no one-hit wonder. In terms of this bout itself, you'd have to imagine that Woodley's punching power would cause Georges some serious problems.
He's been known to struggle with it in the past and given that he could probably outclass Woodley in terms of technical ability, you've got to think in terms of tactics here. The build-up to the fight would clearly revolve around GSP, and given how outspoken he has been about his treatment in the past, Woodley wouldn't be too happy about that.
We delve into the past now to look at a chance for redemption.
#2 Johny Hendricks
Everyone who watched the St-Pierre vs. Hendricks fight pretty much knows that Johny should've walked away with the Welterweight Championship. In a way, it all worked out because he did eventually win the belt, but his decline since that point has been quite extraordinary.
GSP has been known to avenge his losses in the past, and this was as close as you can ever get to a screw job decision. Georges will want to prove to the world that he still has what it takes, and the potential financial reward in this rematch would be through the roof.
Plus, the odds are that it would be nothing more than a tune-up fight for GSP. Despite how good he was in the past, Hendricks is a shadow of the fighter he once was, and as a result, you'd have to imagine the bookies would favour GSP going into this one. Either way, if it comes anywhere close to replicating their first encounter we're in for a treat.
Sticking with current stars as we move on to someone we've already mentioned.
#3 Stephen Thompson
Wonderboy is one of the hottest MMA stars in the world right now, with the UFC going a long way to promoting him as the next golden boy of the company. His war with Woodley certainly went a long way to putting him on the map for casual fans, and the guy is an absolute machine when it comes to cardio and overall performance.
Kind of sounds like someone else we know, Georges St-Pierre. Whilst we have no idea what kind of level GSP will be at, upon his return, you'd have to imagine he'll have lost a step. With that being true, losing that slight touch may then put him on par with Thompson when it comes to a competitive three-round fight.
The former Champion would likely be forced out of his comfort zone and into an entirely new realm of Octagon warfare, and it would be fascinating to see how he handles it. Thompson can finish you or he can take things all the way through to a decision, but either way more often than not he picks up the victory.
How Georges deal with the pressure remains to be seen.
From current star to one who’s been around the block a few times now.
#4 Donald Cerrone
Well well well, wouldn't this be interesting. Donald Cerrone, also known as one of the busiest men in the history of the UFC, is always up for a fight and you can bet people would pay to see this one. Since his Welterweight debut just over a year ago the Cowboy has gone 4-0, finishing all four opponents in the process.
That's a frightening statistic, especially considering that it seems as if he's only just getting started. Meanwhile, GSP, who isn't known for his knockout ability whatsoever, could come in and try to weather the storm. Whilst it may just be a case of notching another win onto Cerrone's seemingly unstoppable tally, it will be a fascinating fight to watch.
The respect between the two men would likely be through the roof and the unpredictability is what makes it so interesting. Would it be over with two minutes, or would we see St-Pierre take Cerrone to a decision for the first time since January 2015?
We finish off with a fight that's reportedly been in the pipeline for a while now.
#5 Michael Bisping
Michael Bisping is on top of the world right now as the UFC Middleweight Champion, and so is his confidence as he even went so far as to challenge Georges St-Pierre to a bout at UFC 206 in Toronto. Unfortunately, due to a number of circumstances, it didn't get the green light, which pretty much sums up GSP's career over the last few years.
Fans are in two minds about this bout, but at the end of the day, you have two world-class fighters who are veterans of the UFC that would give it everything they had. Regardless of what weight they fight at, this is becoming something of a super fight and Dana would be foolish to turn his nose at the prospect.
The important thing for St-Pierre is to prove in the eyes of his doubters that he's still the same man they know him to be, and he has to go on a pretty impressive win streak to make that happen.
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