If you believe the words of UFC president Dana White, former welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre "lost the urge to fight" and will never return to the world's elite proving ground for mixed martial arts (MMA) combatants.
But one of "Rush's" closest friends and trainers, Firas Zahabi, told ESPN's Brett Okamoto that a comeback is closer to happening than the president may believe.
The six-week camp is just to see what his body feels like. (UFC president) Dana White has said people don't do things like that and it's bulls---, but Georges does that. He will go through the pain of a six-week camp just to see where his body is.
The news that GSP was doing a training camp first came from his striking coach, Freddie Roach, who said the former UFC champion would test his body and his mind to see whether it's something he wanted to do again.
The French Canadian recently revealed on Chael Sonnen's You're Welcome podcast that he likely would have already returned the sport had it not been for shoddy treatment by UFC following his announcement at UFC 167 that he would be taking some time off.
That time off has, if you believe Zahabi, paid off.
All I can say is I've seen Georges a lot more up in spirits since he took a break. I think he's been a lot happier. Listen, if you overwork somebody -- and I'm not saying the UFC overworked Georges. I think Georges overworked Georges. He's very difficult on himself. I'll tell Georges he's had enough and he'll say, "please, just one more thing," and that will turn into another two hours of training. He's very disciplined. I think over time his batteries drained and he needed time off. Now, he's one of the happiest people I've ever met. And what makes him even happier is competing and that's why I think he'll want to take it to the next level.
Should "Rush" decide to make a splash back at 170 pounds don't expect the division's elite to roll out the red carpet. Current champion Robbie Lawler has already said he would knock out the 34-year-old, while Carlos Condit (against whom he suffered a knockdown and was nearly finished) said Lawler is a more dangerous champion.
If GSP is keen on a return he'll no doubt be watching closely tomorrow night at UFC 195 when those two men hook em up to contend for the belt he once held hostage for the better part of seven years.