Stephen Thompson and Tyron Woodley may have the biggest fight of their career ahead of them in nine days' time, but that still didn't stop them being asked about Georges St-Pierre on the UFC 205 conference call on Wednesday.

St-Pierre was heavily rumored to be returning to the Octagon at UFC 206 next month, but after contract negotiation stalled, Canadian MMA fans were again disappointed to hear that he would once again be missing another pay-per-view event in his homeland.

Following a trip to Las Vegas to meet the UFC's new owners and president Dana White, it would now appear that St-Pierre's return isn't a total write off and that the former welterweight champion could be back in the mix next year.

"I think intellectually it would be silly (for me) to think about that right now," Woodley said. We don't know what's going on with Georges. It sounds like he wants to fight. It sounds like there are things that are keeping him out of fighting, and that's where it's at.

Woodley was then asked who would deserve it more--St-Pierre or Demian Maia, who is currently on a seven-fight win streak.

"Our game of mixed martial arts is one part entertainment and one part sport. So, from the sport standpoint, it would make sense for Demian Maia to fight the winner of this fight," Woodley said.

"From and entertainment standpoint, and I guess you could say sport (standpoint) as well, because he left as the champion and he was the greatest welterweight of all time. And if he comes back, I think as a gesture of respect I think he should… I don't think he should fight one or two fights, I think he should come right in and fight for the title."




The champion then revealed some prior conversations he had with the UFC about what would happen to him if St-Pierre was to return before Woodley challenged for the title.

"When I was getting ready to fight Robbie, it was known that Georges might come back, so if Georges comes back, then you're going to have to fight another fight and he's going to jump you," Woodley said. "And I knew that, and I was OK with that. So, I don't think that should change for anybody. I mean, I think everybody should be understanding of that."

While there may not be a big war of words between Thompson and Woodley leading up to UFC 205, the relationship is a frosty one to say the least. Nonetheless, the two did agree that St-Pierre should be the one to get the next shot if he does return.

"I'm right there with you, man," Thompson said. "He is definitely one of the best guys who ever stepped out into the Octagon at welterweight and one of the best welterweights who stepped out there.

"To be honest, I have no idea what's going on, where he's at in negotiations or if he's even coming back or what. But yeah man, he is, and he's one of the reasons why I got in the sport in the first place. I was training up with him, helping him out with his fights and that's why I actually started mixed martial arts was because of Georges. So yeah man, give him that title shot."

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