Ultimate Fighting Championship superstars Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva are on track to make their return to the Octagon early next year as both fighters are recovering well from their respective injuries, multiple UFC news indicated.
Tristar Gym coach Firas Zahabi said in an interview with ESPN that St-Pierre has been working out to maintain his upper body strength, and could get medical clearance to return to training in October.
St-Pierre is recovering for a surgery after sustaining a torn ACL in March. Zahabi said that the former UFC welterweight champion is ahead of schedule unlike during the first time he suffered from the same injury.
"It's looking way better than the first time," Zahabi said. "We just finished training and were talking about how his quadriceps got back to size so much faster this time around. No two ACL injuries are the same. We're learning that. In October, he's going to try really light martial arts training. Maybe hit pads. A little movement."
St-Pierre said in a recent UFC News that he will not return to the Octagon unless both he and his next opponent will be required to undergo advanced drug testing program, but Zahabi is sure that the 33-year-old will eventually return to fight again.
Meanwhile, Anderson Silva is also on pace to reach his peak form in time for his return bout against Nick Diaz at UFC 183 on Jan. 31 in Las Vegas.
Silva, who has not fought since sustaining a gruesome leg injury during his rematch against Chris Weidman in December last year, said in a UFC news on MMA Fighting that his strength is back.
However, the former middleweight champion admitted that he is still afraid to kick with his surgically-repaired leg. Silva said though, that he is already consulting with a psychologist to regain his confidence.
"I've worked with a psychologist so I can get rid of the ghosts of those horrible moments of that fight, when I had that accident," Silva said. "I'm a little apprehensive in training. I know I can execute the movement, but I end up not doing it for fear. Yeah, I won't get hurt. I know I won't get hurt, but fear is natural."
