Georges St-Pierre feels misunderstood.
The former UFC welterweight kingpin had recently taken an interest in ridding Mixed Martial Arts of performance enhancing drugs, which included providing statements on the UFC's lack of drug testing policy. Many took this as a sign that GSP was out to scrutinize the UFC and reveal the negative aspects of the promotion, which the French-Canadian admits was never his intention at all.
"It has been misinterpreted my intentions in that regard." GSP told the Hand and Wrist Institute. "I never wanted to do anything negative towards the UFC. That is the company who made me what I am and if I am wealthy today it is because of them. So what I did, I did to elevate the sport. My intention was not to do anything negative. It was to do a positive thing; to elevate the sport."
GSP went on to explain that once he came public with his intentions, he received texts from athletes and pundits who were "too afraid" to speak out.
"After I came public with the issue of steroids and performance enhancing drugs, I received a message from fighters and reporters who are afraid to speak. They know what is going on but they are afraid. So I received a lot of support, which is a good thing."
The former champ made it clear that he is not blaming the UFC for the drug usage in MMA. He believes the reason for the lack of guidelines is that MMA is a young sport and will develop over time.
"It is not the UFC's fault. The problem is the system. There are no guidelines. In any other sport they can come and test you. Why not Mixed Martial Arts? The reason is because it is a new sport with no guidelines."