https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbss...ght-next-in-ufc/amp/?client=ms-android-google It wasn’t all that surprising that Georges St-Pierre is making a return to UFC after nearly a year of speculation that he would. The former UFC welterweight champion is a legend of the sport and considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters ever and wasn’t able to end his run in the octagon on his own terms. As welterweight champion, GSP did not (on his second run) and reigned as champion for over six years. Now, it sounds like he will be willing to take fights at either 170 or 185 pounds. With that, we take a look at possible opponents St-Pierre could take on this year and that we be excited for. Nate or Nick Diaz -- St-Pierre beat the elder Diaz brother in 2013 by unanimous decision to defend his belt for an eighth time. While his last set of title defenses didn’t bring the same excitement as his first few, a rematch with Nick or a first with Nate would clearly be terrific theater both inside and outside the cage. GSP isn’t a terrific talker like Conor McGregor, but he can certainly sell a fight. Tyron Woodley/Stephen Thompson winner -- I know it’s kind of cheating, but the winner of that fight would make the most sense at 170 pounds for GSP. Though Demain Maia may loses his freaking mind if St-Pierre gets a shot at the belt while he waits, again, for his shot, St-Pierre lost just one time as the 170-pound champion to Matt Serra in 2007. He won 12 straight fights after that and was forced to give up his belt after suffering a knee injury. The greatest 170-pound champ deserves a shot to hold that belt one more time. Demian Maia -- Speaking of Maia, I know that he said he is going to wait patiently for well-deserved title shot, but man would Maia vs. GSP be a great bout. It won’t be the prettiest fight between two world-class wrestlers, but because they are world-class wrestlers, there’s a chance one of them is able to lock in a submission hold quickly. Maia is on a six-fight win streak and hasn’t lost since 2014. Jacare Souza -- Speaking of intense wrestlers, Souza vs. St-Pierre is just absurd. There may be a total of 10 punches thrown in the 15-minute fight if these two get together. Every college wrestling coach would be able to just run this fight back to his athletes because it will be as technical a fight imaginable in UFC. While it may not draw as much attention through press conferences and media, these two would put on an absolute show for the fans. Anderson Silva -- I put this on the list so reluctantly. I remember when this was going to be the first superfight in modern UFC. GSP fought lightweight champ B.J. Penn with his welterweight title on the line, but everyone questioned when 170-pound champ St-Pierre would fight 185-pound champ Silva back in 2010. The two hold the records for longest title defenses in UFC history and most wins in title fights and man, this would have been a GREAT fight with more hype than any Rousey or McGregor fight now in 2010. But, we are in 2017 and just watched Silva for all intents and purposes lose a third straight fight. The aura is gone and while it would still be cool to watch the two finally fight, it would come with a bit of sadness from what could have been back in the day.
