John Danaher has long been one of the most enigmatic coaches in all of MMA.
He has worked with former Welterweight and Middleweight champion Georges St Pierre for most of his career, and teaches submission grappling at the Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC. His most notable grappling students are Garry Tonon, Gordon Ryan, and Eddie Cummins – together known together as the “Danaher Death Squad,” they have dominated grappling competition for the past several years.
Danaher himself shuns the spotlight. Early in life, he suffered physical tragedies that left him with a crippled left leg, unable to compete. But behind the scenes, he remains one of the most influential figures in modern martial arts.
Yesterday he appeared on The MMA Hour to discuss George St-Pierre, specifically the camp that lead up to his fight with Michael Bisping, and then the decision to vacate the Middleweight belt which he won off Bisping.
St-Pierre contracted ulcerative colitis during the fight camp, possibly in an attempt to bulk up to 185 pounds. According to Danaher, a full two weeks of training were lost a month out from the fight and the decision was almost made to withdrawal.
St Pierre has since cited colitis as his reason for vacating the title. When Danaher was asked if GSP would ever return to the Octagon he answered:
“I don’t want to say yes or no because it’s not my decision, really. These are deeply personal decisions that Georges has to make. More over, they have to be made not as spur of the moment decisions.
“These are life-changing decisions, so they will have to made on the basis of Georges’ reaction to the medications that he’s taking for ulcerative colitis.
“From what I understand, the standard medications for ulcerative colitis take some considerable amount time to take effect – anywhere from three to eight months – before you’ll even notice any changes. We have to see how he reacts to his medication regiment and make a decision based on that.”
Danaher himself is of the opinion the GSP should not return, that he has accomplished everything he can in the sport, short of winning a third title:
“It’s not for the faint of heart, and if you’re not 100 percent committed to the project and it’s not something you positively enjoy doing at least in some way, you don’t have to love every aspect of it but there has to be some kind of deep feeling of enjoyment fulfillment – then I don’t believe you should get involved.”
He said it is “entirely possible,” that GSP never fights again.
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