Georges St-Pierre's next fight is being targeted for 2015, however, trainer Firas Zahabi maintains that "GSP's" comeback is reliant on the UFC's implementation of an independent drug-testing body to officiate the procedures.
While there are no further specifics on Georges St-Pierre's next fight, Zahabi revealed that the former UFC welterweight champion has been cleared to do some light training by October.
"In October, he's going to try really light martial arts training," Zahabi told ESPN. "Maybe hit pads. A little movement. Nothing crazy. "
Georges St-Pierre had been kept on the sidelines, following a second ACL injury he suffered in March. Zahabi, for his part, is optimistic about their developments as the rehabilitation process progresses.
"It's looking way better than the first time," he added. "We just finished training and were talking about how his quadriceps got back to size so much faster this time around. No two ACL injuries are the same. We're learning that."
"GSP" last saw action in November 2013 at UFC 167, wherein he successfully defended his title against the current 170-pound champion Johny "Bigg Rigg" Hendricks. While Zahabi had been speaking to the former champion about a possible UFC comeback, he still has no definite answers as to when it will happen.
"Right now, every time I talk to him, we never talk about his comeback," Zahabi said about Georges St-Pierre's next fight. "I'm being 100 percent honest with you. I tell him people ask me about it every day. I think we both just know that there is no answer until he gets back in the gym, in his routine and sees if he wants to continue."
St-Pierre, however, released a statement in August that he will never return to professional mixed martial arts competition unless an independent drug-testing organization like VADA or USADA would oversee the procedures.
"I will never fight again in MMA without my opponent and myself being thoroughly tested for the most advanced PEDs by a credible independent anti-doping organization like VADA or USADA under the strictest standards of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) Code," St-Pierre told Bloody Elbow.
Zahabi maintained his fighter's stance on the matter.
"From now on, he's in a place where he doesn't have to fight a guy if that guy doesn't do the test," he said. "He is a big believer in everybody should be natural."
