GSP Comments on Contract Status
July 24, 2008
While he will soon be facing Jon Fitch across the other side of the Octagon, UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St Pierre is also facing a familiar opponent across the bargaining table: the UFC. GSP is looking to re-sign with the company, and he recently spoke with the Vancouver Sun about the negotiations:
It’s a key bout for St-Pierre, whose contract with the UFC has two more fights left to run. He’s in negotiations for a new deal.
“Before it expires, they’ll want to negotiate because they won’t want me to be a free agent, let the Japanese get their hands on me,” St-Pierre said.
“It’s just another fight that’s being fought outside the octagon, but it’s very interesting.”
St-Pierre said he’s been able to make a living from mixed martial arts since he signed his first contract with the UFC. But three years ago, it wasn’t nearly as popular as it is now; St-Pierre said the purses have at least tripled every year.
“For me, it will be more than that. And these fights will be a determining factor not only for my career, but my lifestyle,” he said. “I want to use it to clear all the debts, the house, take some weight off my shoulders.
“You never know what will happen in life. I might get hit by a car tomorrow,” he said. “It’s important to put some money aside, and I’ve made investments. I won’t make the mistakes that many have made.”
The UFC looks to be tying up it’s big ticket fighters. In addition to George St Pierre, the UFC recently added four fights to the contract of Anderson Silva, having him now for a total of six fights.
St Pierre mentions that he has only two fights left on his deal, but in reality, even if he finished up his contract he would still be locked in to his Zuffa deal. Under section 5.2 of the standard Zuffa contract, what is known as the Champion’s clause, as long as he has the belt at the end of his contract, the UFC can automatically roll over his contract for another year or three fights, whichever comes first, under the same terms.
