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St-Pierre vacates UFC middleweight title following ulcerative colitis diagnosis

St-Pierre vacates UFC middleweight title following ulcerative colitis diagnosis

St-Pierre vacates UFC middleweight title following ulcerative colitis diagnosis

Georges St-Pierre has vacated his middleweight title after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, UFC has confirmed.

St-Pierre made a spectacular return from a four-year absence in November, defeating Michael Bisping at Madison Square Garden to become a two-division champion.

However, the Canadian revealed his colitis diagnosis last week and has now opted to give up his belt, meaning Robert Whittaker is now the undisputed middleweight champion. Whittaker will face Luke Rockhold in the main event of UFC 221, taking place in Perth next February.

In a statement, St-Pierre said: "My fight at UFC 217 was one of the greatest nights of my life but I now need to take some time to focus on my health.

"Out of respect to the athletes and the sport, I don't want to hold up the division.

"I will be giving up my belt and once I'm healthy I look forward to working with the UFC to determine what's next in my career."