Georges St-Pierre has dominated as a welterweight in the UFC for years, but has decided to step away from the sport, effectively giving up his title.

Georges St-Pierre Steps Away From UFC

St. Pierre, while announcing that he’s taking his leave of the UFC, didn’t completely shut the door on the idea that he could return sometime in the future. "One day when I feel like it, I might come back," St-Pierre said. "But right now I need a break."

"I don't want to make nobody wait," St-Pierre added. "I want to [come back] when I feel like it. I'll become stronger when I will. It has to be up to me. It has to be on my terms."

Personal Life Root Cause of St-Pierre's Departure

It’s been speculated that St. Pierre, who referred to his personal life as being "like a freakin' zoo," is departing the UFC for the time being to deal with his life outside the ring. UFC president Dana White, after confirming that the UFC’s welterweight division will get a new title-holder following the fight between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler on March 15, is one person who definitely believes St-Pierre’s hiatus is due to personal issues.

"You can tell by the way he talks that the issues he deals with outside the Octagon are driving him nuts," White said. "He's obsessing about them and they're driving him crazy."

St-Pierre took the time in his announcement to clarify that his decision to leave UFC was just as much a matter of choice as having been a part of the sport for as long as he’s been.

"I love my sport," St-Pierre said. "I've never been a victim of anything. I choose this life. Nobody ever forced me. As much as I choose to do it, now I choose to not do it. It's my life."

St-Pierre had first lofted the idea of a possible retirement back in November after his controversial split-decision win over Hendricks.

– Chelsea Regan

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