After a four-year hiatus, UFC legend George St-Pierre (GSP) is set to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 217 to challenge Michael Bisping for the middleweight championship.
GSP has not fought since November of 2013 and has never fought at the 185 lbs middleweight division, a step up from his normal 170 lbs welterweight division. Despite this GSP has not lost a fight in ten years and is coming off an 11-fight winning streak.
His fight record is currently 25-2. GSP is one of the best fighters the UFC has ever had and would easily rank in the top ten all time best fighters in UFC history.
The 36-year-old decided to challenge the middleweight champion as he always said that he would make the step up to middleweight by temptations of a super fight with middleweight legend and champion at the time Anderson Silva.
Since this is not possible at the moment, GSP is challenging Bisping.
Bisping record is 30-7 and he is coming off and successful defence of his title last year defeating Dan Henderson in the fight of the night at UFC 204 in October last year. Bisping has also beaten UFC legend Anderson Silva at a UFC fight night in London last year.
The UFC is at a crossroads with the return of Gsp as casual fans may not know who he is but hardcore fans are a buzz as they remember his dominance of the UFC in the early 2010 as he is better than current big names ever were/are or ever will be.
Unlike Ronda Rousey he can take a punch and unlike Conor McGregor he defends he titles. He does this all with being one of the most professional athletes ever, no big mouthing, no flamboyance just lets his fighting do the talking.
Bisping on the another is a WWE type big mouth and does not have the professional of Gsp. He is looking to add Gsp to his list a legend killed.
The fight is to take place November 4, 5, in Australia at the world most famous area the Madison Square Garden.
Main event coverage starts at 1 pm AEDST.
I hoping for a GSP knouckout, Welcome back GSP
Old mate bigJ
Roar Rookie
I really miss articles like this one cause let’s face it I wrote it, ha ha
Steven Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Hell yeah Gsp is back baby with an epic third round Choke out and now is going to fight Whittaker in his first defence
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
I agree. I am the only one who is not that excited by GSP's return? I loved him, and I'll always watch his fights, but I think the sport has moved on, and the fans with it. I'm far more excited about T.J. vs Cody.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
No, he would not fight strikers like that, I don't think. In fact, even though he's promised to fight Whittaker if he wins, I wouldn't be surprised if he never fights at the weight again, he's better at 170. As to Woodley, he may well to again be a two division champ, but I really don't want him too, as it may be an ignoble boring end to a great career. To be honest, I honest I'm not sure he will take the risk, as Woodley is a monster, who also is not entertaining to watch (no one is paying big money for Woodley). I'd say he will look for Conor at 170.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Who would not be rooting for Gsp!!
Steven Lawrence
Roar Rookie
This should be an epic on Sunday can't wait, Gsp should win then fight Silva. Thanks for everybody's comments
BigJ
Roar Guru
Who is not rooting for Gsp??? And the bantamweight fight will be just as good. Two epic battles, what more could you want??
Kavvy
Guest
BigJ, For sure, I reckon Garbandt v Dillashaw will be a barnburner, they seriously don't like each other and not in the "let's say we don't like each other to drum up interest way". Cody was so impressive against Cruz he has to be favourite. Joanna Champion will have her way with Rose I reckon, There is Joanna a gap Claudia another gap and then the other contenders in that division. As for the main event, who knows, too many variables to know what might happen but I'm rooting for GSP
BigJ
Roar Guru
with the three titles on the line for this weekend, this could be UFC's biggest event of the year. Cant wait until Sunday.
Kavvy
Guest
Despite being two of the top ten ATGs, I actually don't know that GSP v Silva would move the needle that much in terms of PPV, I know it will happen with the new owners of the UFC loving this kind of thing but I reckon it'd need a quality co-main event to do big numbers.
Joel
Guest
*UFC WME will find a way to make it happen.
Joel
Guest
Yep Silva returned from his suspension in Feb 2016, slated to fight Kevin Gastelum in Shanghai on Nov 25th I can assure you that Silva v GSP is coming, UFC MME will find a way to make it happen. Good Read by the way, well done!
BigJ
Roar Guru
Joel, is Silva cleared to fight after his steroid use scandal, I thought he was under suspension still. Plus GSP v Silva is a fight that the UFC has wanted for about ten years now and would be a huge event. Hope GSP wins the title
Joel
Guest
"To answer your question Gsp was chasing Anderson Silva for a while before his retirement, so to answer your question I think it’s matters little who is the middleweight champ Gsp was always going to do it" Hmm have to disagree with you there. GSP is very aware of the damage continued head trauma does and will pick his current/future opponents accordingly. I doubt we will ever see him in the Octagon with a real "Slugger" again. Win or lose I think GSP will fight Anderson Silva next.
Steven Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Just in case anybody misread, I'm hoping for aGsp victory via ko
Steven Lawrence
Roar Rookie
Hi Kavvy, to be honest with you I have only know about this fight for a day or so, I stumbled across it as I saw the fight poster in the local pub on Friday. Since then I have run my brother whom is a UFC tragic and researched as many articles as possible to make this article. To answer your question Gsp was chasing Anderson Silva for a while before his retirement, so to answer your question I think it's matters little who is the middleweight champ Gsp was always going to do it. Also from the articles and posts I have read Bisping chased Gsp to add him to hiss legend killer list. If Gsp wins who knows you'll he'd fight. Thanks for your comment mate enjoy the fight
Kavvy
Guest
Steven there is no doubt GSP is an all time great and an aboslite gentleman. Four years off and the step up in weight does make this intriguing. For mine it's a 50/50. Do you think GSP would have gone for the middleweight title if the champ was a Romero/Souza/Whittaker type rather than Bisping? Could he fight Woodley next?