GSP (left) made history against M. Bisping (right) (Photo: Reproduction Twitter ufc_europe)
It looked like a movie script. But the bruises on his face Georges St Pierre tell a true story. After four years away from the octagon, the greatest welterweight (up to 77 kg) of all time wrote a new chapter in history by becoming the middleweight champion (up to 84 kg) with an apotheotic victory over Michael Bisping in the main fight of UFC 217.
See too
With the submission victory in the third round, GSP became the biggest winner in UFC history, joining Bisping himself with 20 victories. Furthermore, the Canadian joined a select group of Ultimate champion athletes in two categories. Randy Couture's club (light heavyweight and heavyweight), B.J. Penn (light and welterweight) and Conor McGregor (feather and light) now has a new member: Georges St Pierre, former welterweight champion and current holder of the middleweight belt.
As expected, after the duel with Bisping, GSP admitted that he did not intend to remain in the 84 kg division. The interim champion Robert whittaker, who was hoping to face the Canadian at UFC 221 in Australia, will probably have to unify his title against another opponent.
Despite this, St. Pierre hinted that he is still fighting, and that he will return to welterweight. The performance against Bisping left some doubts regarding how the Canadian will deal with Tyron woodley. But the night in New York today is all about partying. The work is for another day.
THE FIGHT
The question surrounding the return of Georges St Pierre after four years away it seemed to dissipate in the first five minutes of the fight. With his already legendary jab up to date, good movement and better footwork than ever, GSP had no problem taking the initial round. The Canadian always maintained the takedown threat, feigning entries while landing jabs and low kicks. Bisping seemed nervous and had no answers for the former welterweight champion's game.
In the second round, however, doubts returned, as St. Pierre's physical conditioning began to suffer. Known for having excellent physical skills, Bisping began to cheer up and managed to develop his kickboxing better, hitting Georges with some hard blows. But the third round arrived and, in the first seconds, St. Pierre fell on top of Bisping again.
This time, however, the champion managed to land good shots from the guard, including an elbow that opened up a cut on GSP. The two got up and it looked like St. Pierre would try to rest for the remainder of the round, as the blood fell like a waterfall into his eye. That's when the Canadian unleashed a left hook that doubled Bisping.
The Englishman tried to guard, but began to suffer from aggressive ground and pound from GSP, which made the “Count” turn his back on him. Pupil of Renzo Gracie and John Danaher, two of the best jiu-jitsu teachers in the world, St. Pierre had no trouble locking in the rear naked choke and only releasing it when the Englishman was already dreaming.
UFC 217 results
MAIN CARD
Middleweight: Georges St-Pierre won Michael Bisping via submission (rear naked choke) at 4m23s of R3
Bantamweight: TJ Dillashaw won cody garbrandt by technical knockout at 2:41 of R2
Straw weight: Rose namajunas won Joanna Jedrzejczyk by technical knockout at 3:03 of R1
Welterweight Weight: Stephen Thompson won Jorge masvidal by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
Average weight: Paulo borrachinha won John hendricks by technical knockout at 1m23s of R2
PRELIMINARY CARD
Lightweight: James Vick won Joe Duffy by technical knockout at 4:59 of R2
Heavyweight: Mark Godbeer won Walt Harris by disqualification in R1
Light Heavyweight: Ovince St Preux won Corey anderson by knockout at 1m25s of R3
Welterweight Weight: Randy Brown won Mickey gall by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Heavyweight: Curtis blaydes beat Alexey Oliynyk by technical knockout at 1m56s of R2
Bantamweight: Ricardo Carcacinha won Aiemann Zahabi by knockout at 1m15s of R3
Comments