With UFC 216 in the books, all eyes in the MMA world can now turn in full to the biggest fight of the year, Georges St-Pierre’s challenging Michael Bisping for the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 217. St-Pierre is coming out of an almost four-year long retirement to attempt to become only the fourth man to win titles in two weight divisions in the UFC. Should St-Pierre be successful, a host of intriguing options await him going forward including a fight against one of the other multi-division champions, Conor McGregor.

But while the prevailing rumors suggest St-Pierre is targeting a fight with McGregor, the man himself says that’s not true. Speaking with ESPN over the weekend, St-Pierre denied angling for a fight with the UFC lightweight champion, saying that his appearance at McGregor’s fight at UFC 196 - the event which kicked off these rumors - was due to former UFC owner Lorenzo Ferttita, not his own fight agenda.

“I showed up at the fight because Lorenzo Ferttita asked me to come and show up because my agent was in negotiations with the UFC,” said St-Pierre. “He wanted me to be there. I don’t know if he had something else behind his head, I was just there because of the meeting. I didn’t have any plan of doing anything towards Conor McGregor. We don’t compete in the same weight class.”

St-Pierre has said that he is returning to MMA because he wants to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats in the sport. It’s easy to see how a fight with McGregor, while by far the most lucrative option available to him, wouldn’t bring the same level of historical significance career-wise as other options. For St-Pierre, the money is not enough to offset the fact that he would be picking on someone smaller than himself, which doesn’t add a lot to his legacy.

“Everything is possible but everybody is targeting Conor McGregor because the money. He’s the money fight. But I don’t challenge guys that compete in lower weight class divisions. For me, I don’t do that. I’m going up to fight Michael Bisping now. I’m looking up.”

St-Pierre and McGregor may not compete in the same division right now but St-Pierre spent the entirety of his career as a welterweight and McGregor currently has a pair of fights at the 170 pound weight limit. Moreover, even St-Pierre admits that the moneyweight division knows no bounds and that, while he’s focused on Bisping for the moment, a bout with McGregor could materialize down the line if the people want it.

“He’s an amazing fighter, it would be an amazing honor, but I don’t know. I don’t know what to say. If the fans want it and he wants it maybe it will happen but right now, I’m focused on Bisping.”

Georges St-Pierre faces Michael Bisping for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 217 on Nov. 4. in Madison Square Garden.

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MUST-READ STORIES

UFC 216. Tony Ferguson wins the interim lightweight title and all the UFC results.

Bellator 184. Darrion Caldwell is the new champ and the rest of the Bellator results.

Dana. Dana White says Conor McGregor needs to fight Tony Ferguson next.

Says stuff. Dana White calls Demetrious Johnson the greatest fighter ever.

No fear. Francis Ngannou offered to fight Fabricio Werdum on hours notice.

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VIDEO STEW

UFC 216 post-fight show.

Bellator highlights.

Rony Jason allegedly punching a woman.

A breakdown on why Ferguson left the arm on the opposite side.

Joanna doing a vlog series for UFC 217.

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LISTEN UP

Severe MMA. UFC 216 recap and the greatness of Mighty Mouse.

Beatdown After the Bell. UFC 216 immediate reaction.

6th Round. Immediate post-fight reaction for UFC 216.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Rock gives “Mighty Mouse” props.

Respect.

Also respect.

Fun police.

Good sport.

Godbeer’s statement on getting pulled.

Brooks wants a quick re-booking.

Unclear if Mickey is trolling here or not.

Not bad.

Joanna with two belts.

No days off for Brandon Gibson it seems.

Damn.

Sage should 100% play Guile whenever they remake Street Fighter.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Julia Budd (10-2) vs. Arlene Blencowe (10-6); Bellator 189, Dec. 1.

Rafael Lovato Jr. (6-0) vs. Chris Honeycutt (10-1, 1 NC); Bellator 189, Dec. 1.

Yancy Medeiros (14-4, 1 NC) vs. Alex Oliveira (18-4-1, 12 NC); UFC 218, Dec. 2.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

When the lights were brightest, in the biggest moment of his career, Demetrious Johnson casually busted out the greatest submission in MMA history. What a man and what a champion.

Hope y’all enjoyed UFC 216. We’ve got a slow week ahead of us but The MMA Hour is stacked today so give that a listen. Happy Monday and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.