ironworks
05-10-2014, 02:57 AM
t's been a rough few months for former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre and welterweight contender Carlos Condit. Each saddled with devastating knee injuries, the man who may know them best doesn't sound particularly worried. Speaking with Sportsnet Canada, famed trainer Greg Jackson believes the pair return to form following a workmanlike recovery.
"I think with Georges he doesn't mind a challenge. It's never really bothered him. It gives him something to focus on. I don't think it's going to be the end of his career at all. He's already retired, anyway, so he's got time to rehab. He probably will come back. It would be my guess, an educated guess. I'm not saying at 100%, but if I know Georges he might do another fight or two just to do it. He's a warrior all the way. He's a guy that likes challenges. If he's got to rehab the knee, that's what he's got to do. If he's got to keep the belt, that's what he's got to do. If he's got to earn it back, that's what he's got to do."
As for Condit, Jackson was overwhelmed by how involved St-Pierre has become in his former teammate and opponent's own rehabilitation.
"Carlos is doing well. Of all people Georges called me right after that happened and said, 'Listen, I know all the knee stuff to do and I'll talk to Carlos and help out .' We broke it down together. It was really cool that Georges was right there for Carlos when Carlos got injured just the same exact way. Now of course Georges is injured. Maybe they can rehab together. That was really cool. It just says a lot about Georges St-Pierre. Who that guy is.
"Mentally, [Condit] is one of the toughest people I've met in my life. He's just a gamer. No matter what he's just super tough. He shrugs his shoulders and says, 'Well, now I've got to rehab. OK that's what I do.' So incredibly tough. Just every adversity he's been through, it's been very impressive."
Aside from the torn ACL he suffered against Tyron Woodley at UFC 171 it was his 2010 bout with Rory MacDonald that best showcased Condit's resolve. Condit was down on points in hostile territory before pulling off a come from behind TKO in the final minute of the night's 'Fight of the Night.'
Speaking on the mounting pressure for MacDonald to be 'the next GSP,' Jackson believes the expectations should be tempered.
"That comes with the job. Rory's a smart guy. I'm sure he's dealing with it the right way, but you can't say anybody's the next anything until they do it. Lay off him and let him prove it. I think he can. I think he's a great fighter. He certainly has the potential, but there's so many different things to being a champion. It's not just how well you fight. How well you deal with stuff outside the cage.
"Honestly, it almost defines it more than what you do inside the cage. You have to be able to train and peak and do everything the right way, but in order to do that your life outside the cage has to be some kind of normal. That's the challenge that a lot of them can't get over."
"I think with Georges he doesn't mind a challenge. It's never really bothered him. It gives him something to focus on. I don't think it's going to be the end of his career at all. He's already retired, anyway, so he's got time to rehab. He probably will come back. It would be my guess, an educated guess. I'm not saying at 100%, but if I know Georges he might do another fight or two just to do it. He's a warrior all the way. He's a guy that likes challenges. If he's got to rehab the knee, that's what he's got to do. If he's got to keep the belt, that's what he's got to do. If he's got to earn it back, that's what he's got to do."
As for Condit, Jackson was overwhelmed by how involved St-Pierre has become in his former teammate and opponent's own rehabilitation.
"Carlos is doing well. Of all people Georges called me right after that happened and said, 'Listen, I know all the knee stuff to do and I'll talk to Carlos and help out .' We broke it down together. It was really cool that Georges was right there for Carlos when Carlos got injured just the same exact way. Now of course Georges is injured. Maybe they can rehab together. That was really cool. It just says a lot about Georges St-Pierre. Who that guy is.
"Mentally, [Condit] is one of the toughest people I've met in my life. He's just a gamer. No matter what he's just super tough. He shrugs his shoulders and says, 'Well, now I've got to rehab. OK that's what I do.' So incredibly tough. Just every adversity he's been through, it's been very impressive."
Aside from the torn ACL he suffered against Tyron Woodley at UFC 171 it was his 2010 bout with Rory MacDonald that best showcased Condit's resolve. Condit was down on points in hostile territory before pulling off a come from behind TKO in the final minute of the night's 'Fight of the Night.'
Speaking on the mounting pressure for MacDonald to be 'the next GSP,' Jackson believes the expectations should be tempered.
"That comes with the job. Rory's a smart guy. I'm sure he's dealing with it the right way, but you can't say anybody's the next anything until they do it. Lay off him and let him prove it. I think he can. I think he's a great fighter. He certainly has the potential, but there's so many different things to being a champion. It's not just how well you fight. How well you deal with stuff outside the cage.
"Honestly, it almost defines it more than what you do inside the cage. You have to be able to train and peak and do everything the right way, but in order to do that your life outside the cage has to be some kind of normal. That's the challenge that a lot of them can't get over."