UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has issued Georges St-Pierre an ultimatum urging the former welterweight champion to make their fight happen before Saturday night, or Bisping will be forced to take on the winner of the interim title fight between Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker.
Bisping was initially slated to meet St-Pierre at this weekend’s UFC 213 event — at least that was the UFC’s desire — but as of yet, the fight has yet to be confirmed.
While Dana White was always adamant that the middleweight title fight would take place in the summer, St-Pierre always claimed he would be ready to fight the Englishman in the fall.
White now says that GSP wants to fight at welterweight on his return, but on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Bisping claimed that he is still very interested in facing the all-time great if a deal can be made.
“I was supposed to fight GSP. Why wouldn’t I want to fight him? Of course, that would be big business,” Bisping said. “He’s a guy that will be regarded as a welterweight legend forever. I would love that fight for my legacy. We’ve been over this a million times.
“Now, Dana is saying (Georges) doesn’t want to fight. Georges is saying he does want to fight. I know that I want to fight and if we can still make the Georges thing happen, then great, I’m all in.”
Bisping highlighted that he has done everything in his power to make the St-Pierre fight happen.
“Georges, if you’re watching this, I’ve done everything I can,” Bisping said. “I have called Dana White, I’ve expressed my desire to fight Georges St-Pierre. Every time we speak on the phone, I say, ‘Dana, that’s all well and good, but what about me and GSP?’”
Having pursued the fight since it’s initial announcement, Bisping believes it is St-Pierre’s turn to try and make their championship date a reality.
“(Dana) says GSP doesn’t want to fight and that he wants to fight at welterweight,” said Bisping.
“Georges, I’ve done everything I can. If you want this fight to happen, get on your phone, call somebody up, send some messages — do f*cking something. I couldn’t care.
“I’m sick of everyone saying I don’t want to fight. Honestly, who I fight next? I couldn’t give a shit. I really couldn’t. Whether it’s GSP, whether it’s Yoel, whether it’s Whittaker. … I’m sick of all the bulls**t.
“I want to fight,” Bisping continued. “I’ve got to fight. My knee is still very much giving me issues, but who cares? I’ve got to fight. I’m blowing off the cobwebs and I’m getting ready. Towards the end of the year, one of those three will get it.”
“The Count” insisted that if St-Pierre does not make something happen before Whittaker and Romero clash Saturday night, he will have no other choice but to meet the newly crowned interim champion.
“Georges, man up!” Bisping said. “Make the call. I know you have some issues, but call the man, call Dana White.
“I’m backed into a corner. I’ve said everything I can say. If he doesn’t step up, I’m going to take on the winner of those two (Romero versus Whittaker). I want to do it. A lot of people want that fight. Failing that, I’ll take one of these two.
“Georges, if you’re watching, which I know you are because you want to know what I’m saying,” Bisping continued, “you’ve got until Saturday, because on Saturday I’m going to be on the FS1 post-fight show. Tune in, because one of those (fighters), Yoel Romero or Robert Whittaker, will be joining me on the desk.
“If I can’t say I’m fighting GSP by then, then I have to say I’m going to fight Whittaker or Romero. I can’t be a little bitch about it. Basically, the countdown is on.”
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