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Michael Bisping might get his money fight after all.
Earlier this year, the UFC announced that Bisping would be defending the UFC middleweight title against former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre sometime later in the year. It appeared that the UFC was targeting a July date for the fight but that plan came crashing down when St-Pierre came out declaring that he would be unable to fight until October.
Shortly after St-Pierre’s announcement, UFC President Dana White said that they would be cancelling the Bisping-St-Pierre title bout and Bisping would instead have to face No. 1 contender Yoel Romero. Bisping then came down with a knee injury which he said would keep him out of action until later in the year. This prompted the UFC to announce an interim title fight between Romero and third ranked Robert Whittaker at UFC 213 on July 8th. Ostensibly, Bisping would then defend his belt against the interim champion once his knee was healed up. But that may not be the case.
On UFC Tonight on Wednesday, Bisping suggested that despite the interim title fight happening, the middleweight champion might still get his bout with St-Pierre.
“Georges is saying that he still wants to fight me, whether or not I have the belt - believe you me, I will have that belt - so just throwing that out there. Yoel [Romero], Robert Whittaker, they’re going to fight for the interim [title]. Of course, I will defend the belt against one of them but it sounds like me and Georges are still going to get it on. So I’m a happy man.”
St-Pierre announced his intent to return to MMA last year but engaged in a prolonged contract dispute with the UFC. He officially re-signed with the organization in February but a specific date for his return fight was never announced and the delay was straining the middleweight division. It turns out, St-Pierre’s return was so slow because he was suffering from an eye injury that was slow in healing. Bisping says that the UFC was aware of the injury when they booked the fight and because of that, middleweight champion is confident he’ll still get the fight with St-Pierre next.
“To my knowledge, [the eye injury was] why the fight was taking so long to materialize. Now as far as I was aware, Georges knew, the UFC knew, I knew but it wasn’t my news to talk about. It wasn’t my news to tell the public. That’s why I was still very confident in the fight happening. That’s why I’m still confident the fight is going to happen.”
Michael Bisping hasn’t defended the middleweight title since winning a unanimous decision over Dan Henderson at UFC 204 in October of last year.
MUST-READ STORIES
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Unretired. Vitor Belfort’s UFC deal doesn’t end at UFC 212 as previously stated.
Retire. Georges St-Pierre vows to retire for good after his next loss.
Holiday. UFC Fight Night 109 drew lowest live numbers for the UFC this year.
VIDEO STEW
Embedded.
Rankings report.
TTTHS.
DLH on MayGregor.
Max on TMZ.
LISTEN UP
Heavy Hands. Comprehensive Aldo vs. Holloway breakdown.
Brit Pack. Stockholm recap plus UFC 212 preview.
The MMA Circus. Ray Borg and Lorenz Larkin interviews.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Jon went hambone on Gus.
Of course you are rooting for Daniel Gus, you might as well pray for him while you're at it.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 1, 2017
And here's a little FYI, you didn't lose against DC and I because of your cardio, it was because your lack of heart.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 1, 2017
I'm not a champion because you don't like my personality? Fuck you lol
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 1, 2017
"Jon Jones is a bad person" you sound like a fucking dork. Congrats on the engagement though, beautiful woman
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 1, 2017
Maybe good guys don't always finish last.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 1, 2017
I'm not a champion cuz I'm a bad person? you're not a champion because you don't win championship fights.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 1, 2017
Gus saying thanks.
USADA.
This bodybuilder is such a tool but charity is always a good thing.
If the body builder shows up and has a straightener with @Cody_Nolove I'll donate $1000 to charity. If he beats Cody I'll add a zero.
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) May 31, 2017
Probably true.
Pro tip: best way to get a fight is to book something important, like a vacation or once in a life time concert. U must actually buy the
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) May 31, 2017
Tickets and plan it all out otherwise this trick won't work.
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) May 31, 2017
The fight will magically always fall on the day you have booked for the important thing.
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) May 31, 2017
Cool.
Watching the soccer game at Maracana Stadium in RIO with these dudes! #FluminensevsGremio pic.twitter.com/ysq1DNAKOW
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) May 31, 2017
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Megan Anderson (8-2) vs. Helena Kolesnyk (5-0, 1 NC); Invicta FC 24, July 15.
Jimi Manuwa (17-2) vs. Volkan Oezdemir (14-1); UFC 214, July 29.
Andrey Koreshkov (19-2) vs. Chidi Njokuani (17-4, 1 NC); Bellator 182, August 25.
Brennan Ward (14-5) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (26-14); Bellator 182, August 25.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2008: Urijah Faber defeated Jens Pulver by unanimous decision to retain the WEC featherweight championship at WEC 34. In the co-main event, Miguel Torres stopped Yoshihiro Maeda to retain the bantamweight belt and on the undercard, Jose Aldo made his Zuffa debut, stopping Alexandre Franca Noguiera with punches.
2012: Martin Kampmann stopped Jake Ellenberger with knees in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale. In the co-main event, Michael Chiesa won the TUF Live lightweight tournament by submitting Al Iaquinta with a rear-naked choke.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If the UFC somehow still books GSP-Bisping after all this, what the f**k are we even doing here, man? Good god. I cannot understand it.
Also, Dana wanting 50/50 is basically him saying “I’m not trying to actually make this fight happen.” Hopefully, this charade ends soon and we can have McGregor defend a belt for once in his life.
Have a good one, see y’all tomorrow, and Conor bless.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy it.
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