Dec 8, 2017
Laprise: GSP could cut to lightweight, face McGregor
Canadian UFC welterweight Chad Laprise appeared on this week’s TSN MMA Show and commended his old training partner, former middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre, for vacating his title.
Canadian UFC welterweight Chad Laprise appeared on this week’s TSN MMA Show and commended his old training partner, former middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre, for vacating his title.
“He could definitely have sat on that belt and wait around for as long as he wants, but he wants to give it up and let the new guys come in and make some money,” said Laprise. “Georges doesn’t owe anybody anything.”
St-Pierre vacated the middleweight title on Thursday evening, days after revealing he has been struggling with colitis. St-Pierre, who won the belt by beating Michael Bisping at UFC 216, has not yet commented on when or if he intends to fight again.
Laprise, who fights Galore Bofando on Saturday, Dec. 17 in Winnipeg, has an idea for who St-Pierre should fight if he decides to resume his UFC career.
“To see him and Conor [McGregor] in a big super fight would be pretty cool,” Laprise said. “Georges is really not that big. Georges wasn’t really that big for welterweight. He could definitely do a catchweight or even fight at welterweight.”
Laprise, who previously trained at Tristar Gym in Montreal, has a 5-2 record in the UFC and fought four of those fights at lightweight and one at a 159-pound catchweight.
When asked about whether St-Pierre could compete in the 155 pound lightweight division to try and earn a third belt in a potential super fight against McGregor, Laprise was positive it’s a possibility.
“For sure he could. There were times when I was in Montreal and I was heavier than him. He’s super lean,” said Laprise. “I was walking around heavier than he was at times and I was fighting at 155 pounds.”