MONTREAL -- Mixed martial arts star Georges St-Pierre says the Ultimate Fighting Championships hesitant position when it came to stiffer drug testing greatly influenced his decision to take a break from the octagon. St-Pierre said Tuesday a lack of strenuous drug testing was one of the factors that led to his decision to step away from the sport. "It bothered me greatly, it was one of the reasons I decided to step aside," St-Pierre said Tuesday. He vacated his welterweight title and took a hiatus from the sport in December, citing a need to lead a normal life and deal with mental fatigue. The 32-year-old confirmed when asked by a reporter that his employer, the UFC, did not support him when he proposed drug testing in the weeks preceding his Nov. 16 fight against Johnny Hendricks. St-Pierre stepped away following UFC 167 where he won a controversial split decision over Hendricks. After that fight, he said he needed time away to sort out some personal issues. The star fighter was prudent in his comments Tuesday, being careful not to point fingers at any one person or fighter. He stressed he wasnt accusing anyone of steroid abuse. St-Pierre said he wanted to bring the sport he loves to "another level" of testing and help those who are honest in the sport. "I tried to change things, and unfortunately, maybe for money reasons, maybe for image, they were not ready to do that," St-Pierre said. "I tried to (bring about) change in a very diplomatic way and it didnt work so its unfortunate, but I believe it will happen sooner or later." The former welterweight champion said he hasnt made a decision to retire and added hes in top physical condition and still trains regularly. While he has remained vague about a comeback, St-Pierre says the break has made him a better fighter because hes not feeling any external pressure. He repeated he hasnt set any timetable to make a decision regarding his UFC future. St-Pierre said implementing drug testing is not a condition for any potential return to the sport. He added he could understand the reticence from the organization -- a failed drug test could dramatically change a card and result in people losing money. St-Pierre was in Montreal handing out bursaries for athletic excellence. "I feel very good, I feel very happy," St-Pierre said, appreciating a holiday season with his family and being able to have a few drinks. Womens Wholesale NFL Jerseys .Y. - Major League Soccer is prepared to start its season this weekend even if there isnt a labour deal with its referees and other on-field officials. Youth Wholesale NFL Jerseys . - Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors will coach the Western Conference in the All-Star Game on Feb. http://www.nflfanaticshop.com/ .com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown. Wholesale NFL Jerseys . Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Allen Craig on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee contusion on Sunday. Black Wholesale NFL Jerseys . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., who trains out of San Diego, will fight bantamweight champion (Rowdy) Ronda Rousey on July 5 in the co-main event of UFC 175 in Las Vegas.NORMAN, Okla. -- Ryan Spanglers intense play has fueled Oklahomas growth this season. The sophomore forward had 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds to help the 23rd-ranked Sooners defeat No. 8 Oklahoma State 88-76 on Monday night. Spangler, in his first season playing for Oklahoma after transferring from Gonzaga, has displayed an energy level that has helped change the Sooners from a team that could just score a lot of points into one that held Oklahoma State to 40 per cent shooting. "Ryans kind of been the cornerstone for our growth in the toughness area," Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger said. "I think were getting tougher. I think weve made big strides in that area." It was the first time both teams have entered a "Bedlam" rivalry game ranked since 2005. The Sooners got great efforts from a few unexpected sources. Freshman Jordan Woodard scored 17 of his 18 points in the second half and reserve Tyler Neal added a season-high 15 points for the Sooners (17-4, 6-2 Big 12), who won their fourth straight game and claimed their third win over a ranked conference opponent this season. Woodard averaged just 11 points a game and Neal averaged 5.9 coming into the game. "Thats kind of been the trademark of this team all year long -- different guys, different nights, stepping up and giving us great support," Kruger said. "We beat a great Oklahoma State team. That makes it even more satisfying." Oklahoma shot 46 per cent from the field and made 8 of 17 3-pointers. The Cowboys committed 29 fouls and were outscored 30-15 at the free throw line. Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said the poor defence and the foul trouble were related. "We didnt defend very much," he said. "When you dont defend, you put yourself in position to foul. Give them credit. They beat us off the dribble. Fouling is usually a product of being out of position." Oklahoma State guard Phil Forte said the team has to handle situations like Mondays better. &"We need to quit worrying about the refs and all that and just play," he said.dddddddddddd "Move onto the next play. Thats the most important thing." Marcus Smart had 22 points on 6-of-18 shooting and spent much of the game in foul trouble. Forte scored 20 points and made all six of his 3-point tries and Markel Brown added 18 points for the Cowboys (16-4, 4-3). OSUs LeBryan Nash, who scored a career-high 29 points against West Virginia on Saturday, fouled out with eight points in 17 minutes. Oklahoma dominated early as Oklahoma States Smart, Nash and Stevie Clark all committed two fouls in the first 12 minutes. Forte gave the Cowboys some life with two deep 3-pointers in a run that trimmed Oklahomas lead to 32-26. The Sooners extended it to 46-36 on a 3-pointer by Neal with 46 seconds left in the first half, and the Sooners led 46-38 at the break. Neal scored 10 in the first half. Smart played just 6 minutes in the first half and had six points on 2-for-4 shooting. Woodard drained a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to push Oklahomas lead to 53-41, and he later hit a 3-pointer to bump OUs lead to 13. A 3 by Frank Booker increased the Sooners lead to 16 points, then Nash committed his fourth foul with 14:17 remaining, and Clark fouled out with 12:18 to go. A 3-pointer by Smart and a dunk by Brown cut OUs lead to 64-57. Spangler scored on a putback, was fouled by Smart and made the free throw to put the Sooners up 75-62 with just over 6 minutes to play. Oklahoma State cut Oklahomas lead to six, but Woodards 3-pointer with just under 3 minutes left bumped the Sooners lead to 10. "Give them credit," Ford said. "Every time we would make a semi-run at them, they would make a big shot and we would make a silly play." The rematch is Feb. 15 at Oklahoma State. "Theyre a great team," Neal said. "Theyre going to do some good things this year, and were going to have to be ready when we play them in Stillwater." ' ' '