By Josh Sanchez

Georges St-Pierre vacated the UFC middleweight championship just over one month after winning the belt by choking out Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in New York City. 

Immediately, there was speculation that St-Pierre never had any intention of defending the title at 185 pounds. 

However, GSP’s coach John Danaher has a different take. 

While speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Danaher claimed St-Pierre had every intention of fighting at least two times at middleweight, including a title unification bout with then-interim champion Robert Whittaker, who has since been promoted to undisputed champ. 

"Actually, he entered the contract negotiations saying he would fight Robert Whittaker. He had every intention of fighting a minimum of twice at middleweight." - Danaher on GSP not intending on ever fighting middlweight after Bisping. #TheMMAHour

— Justin Golightly (@SecretMovesMMA) December 11, 2017

Danaher says St-Pierre was dealing with a serious medical condition which was later diagnosed as colitis. That left St-Pierre struggling with his diet and unable to eat for days leading up to the fight. 

From the moment St-Pierre won the belt in his return to the Octagon, he was noncommittal about a return to 185 pounds. But he did also immediately hint that the decision to move to middleweight took a major toll on his body. 

Danaher backed up St-Pierre’s claims, saying the former champion weighed just over 190 pounds at the time of the fight. 

Now, we will have to wait to see if St-Pierre returns to the cage once his health is in check. If he does, it looks like a return to the division he once dominated for years — welterweight — would be the move. 

You can check out Danaher’s full interview on The MMA Hour below.