Georges St-Pierre vacates UFC welterweight title and takes leave of absence

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      The fighter known to millions as GSP is taking an indefinite leave of absence from mixed martial arts.

      In a media call today (December 13), Canadian sports star Georges St-Pierre announced he is giving up his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title after defending it a divisional record nine times.

      After taking a controversial split decision over Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November, "Rush" stunned MMA fans by saying he was "going crazy" and needed to take a break.

      “The UFC is a business,” St-Pierre said today, according to MMAjunkie. “I’m vacating my title out of respect for the other competitors.”

      But the greatest welterweight of all time isn't ready to retire yet.

      “Definitely one day I will come back,” St-Pierre said. “I’ll be stronger when I do, but it has to be on my own terms.”

      UFC president Dana White announced that Hendricks and Robbie Lawler will fight for the vacant 175-pound title at UFC 171 on March 15 in Dallas.

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