• UFC 137

Shoot boxing session caused St-Pierre injury - Zahabi

ESPN staff
October 19, 2011
Georges St-Pierre suffered his knee injury whilst mixing striking with takedowns during training © Getty Images
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There was "no way" Georges St-Pierre was able to fight at UFC 137, according to trainer Firas Zahabi.

St-Pierre rocked the UFC's plans for the 137 card in Las Vegas by withdrawing on Tuesday with a knee injury. As a result, the welterweight title will not be on the line come October 29, with challenger Carlos Condit also pulled from the event.

GSP is no quitter, and has little history of high-profile pullouts. Indeed, in previous fights, the welterweight champion has scored victories over Thiago Alves and Jake Shields whilst nursing a torn groin and a damaged eye respectively.

On this occasion, though, St-Pierre hurt a knee in training and it quickly became apparent that he would need to delay his next Octagon appearance. In Zahabi's eyes, there wasn't even a decision to be made.

"He was sparring and he hurt his knee," the Tristar Gym man told ESPN. "I had a feeling it was bad, but then, once he cooled down, he started limping.

"There's no way he would be able to fight... It was a weird thing. I can't really explain it.

"Of course, everybody is disappointed. We made a lot of sacrifices. We had a lot of people come in to help us train. We put a lot of man hours into getting ready for this fight. But it's not going to waste, it's just being put on hold."

Zahabi confirmed St-Pierre tweaked a medial collateral ligament whilst involved in a shoot boxing session. The drill required St-Pierre to mix striking with takedowns.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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