Firas Zahabi: With Georges St. Pierre on Leave, Door Open for Rory MacDonald

Trainer Firas Zahabi, on “Beatdown,” discussing Rory MacDonald’s view on the welterweight division and Georges St. Pierre’s hiatus:

“The door’s open now, and that’s a motivator for sure. I think what relieves Rory more are all the questions [that have stopped]. Are you going to fight Georges? I think he was getting enough of it. He was adamant about saying no. He didn’t want to fight Georges. Georges didn’t want to fight Rory. I didn’t want them to fight, but it seemed like the whole world wouldn’t stop asking until we gave them the yes answer. I think all three of us are glad that those questions are done and I think there’s a new motivation now for Rory and myself and Georges. We’re turning a new chapter in our lives and who knows what’s going to happen? It’s exciting.”