Citing health issues, Georges St-Pierre is giving up his newly won UFC middleweight title.
GSP, 36, won the 185-pound crown Nov. 4 when he dethroned Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in New York. It was the first fight for St-Pierre, the former welterweight title-holder since he retired from the sport four years earlier.
GSP said his contract called for him to fight interim champion Robert (The Reaper) Whittaker next.
On Thursday, that plan changed when St-Pierre told the UFC he was giving up the title effective immediately.
“My fight at UFC 217 was one of the greatest nights of my life but I now need to take some time to focus on my health.,” St-Pierre said in a statement. “Out of respect to the athletes and the sport, I don’t want to hold up the division. I will be giving up my belt and once I’m healthy I look forward to working with the UFC to determine what’s next in my career.”
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As per MMAFighting.com, interim strap-holder Robert Whittaker (who was elevated to full-time champion) and former champion Luke Rockhold will face off for the 185-pound belt at UFC 221 on Feb. 11.
🇦🇺 Perth, we've got a main event!!
GSP vacates, 🏆 @RobWhittakerMMA defends the title against @LukeRockhold at #UFC221 Feb. 10!
FULL STORY ➡️ https://t.co/LeaXU08tsa
Pre-register ➡️ https://t.co/CWkOKi23qs pic.twitter.com/MALbQbkD0w— UFC (@ufc) December 8, 2017
Whittaker has been out of action since beating Yoel Romero for the interim title at UFC 213 in July where he suffered a knee injury, he is on an eight-fight win streak overall. Rockhold is coming off an impressive victory over David Branch in September.
Georges St-Pierre Vacates UFC Middleweight Title
UFC 221 goes down on February 11th (February 10th in North America) at the Perth Arena in Perth, Australia.
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