M. Bisping will face GSP in the second half of 2017. (Photo: Getty Images)
The recent announcement of the duel between Georges St Pierre e Michael Bisping, which will be valid for the middleweight belt (up to 84kg), took many fans of the sport by surprise, since the Canadian spent his entire career in the UFC in the welterweight category (up to 77kg). However, at least for Bisping, champion of the top division, the reason why St. Pierre accepted the confrontation is very clear.
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“He chose me because he thinks he can beat me. I trained with Georges 11 years ago and he won me over with his wrestling. But I was just an English kickboxer and I didn't know the difference between a double leg and a double deck bus (NR: “double deck” is the traditional red double-decker bus that travels through the streets of London). Every time we trained he would put me down. I think he imagines that I'm still that guy, that I'm an easy fight. He chose to face me upon returning from retirement, moving up a category. It's almost like he has nothing to lose. Move up a category, beat me and get the belt”, declared the Englishman, in an interview with the program “Sportscenter” (USA).
When asked about the criticism he has received for choosing not to face better-ranked opponents in the Ultimate category, cases such as Yoel romero e Ronaldo Jacare, the champion did not disprove the critics, but highlighted that everyone would probably do the same.
“I know there are a lot of people criticizing me out there, saying that I should face the number one challenger, like Yoel romero. And they are right! But I turn this question back to them: If you were Yoel romero, Luke Rockhold ou Ronaldo Jacare and if they were offered a fight against Georges St-Pierre, I'm sure they would accept that fight. So why can't I? I deserve a scholarship like this and I deserve this fight, but not just for the pay. I want this fight to be part of my legacy”, said Bisping, who revealed that the duel had already been offered in 2016, and concluded by saying that a victory over GSP could seal a change of status in his career in the sport.
“I was offered this fight for the first time in October, but it ended up not going ahead. I don't think Georges reached an agreement with the UFC. After that, I tried to put that possibility out of my mind and started thinking about the next challenger for the belt. But of course, when I got a new call about a week ago, saying that the fight was back on the table, that Georges wanted to face me and that it would be a big event, I accepted immediately. Georges St-Pierre is a legend, he has one of the greatest careers of all time, if not the best in the history of MMA. I have a lot of respect for him. For me, beating GSP, Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson e Luke Rockhold It definitely puts an exclamation point on my career.”
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