UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping made some noise earlier this week by saying he had verbally agreed to fight Georges St-Pierre at UFC 206 in Toronto.
St-Pierre responded by saying it’s not happening because he still hasn’t been able to come to terms on a new contract.
“Nothing would make me more happy in the world than to fight you in Toronto, Michael,” St-Pierre said in a Twitter message. “Last week, I met with [new UFC owner Ari Emanuel], and I made peace with [UFC president Dana White]. I tried to resolve things, but unfortunately, right now it’s not happening. Hopefully, things will change soon.”
Bisping told listeners on his SiriusXM The Countdown radio show Thursday that he is still hoping to be added to the Dec. 10 event at Air Canada Centre and has another potential opponent in mind.
“I’m down to fight A.S.A.P. because Dana, the UFC put this in my mind, fighting at [UFC] 206,” Bisping said. “Now in my mind, I want to fight at 206. I was ready to take the rest of the year off and do nothing and enjoy being the champion and have some time with my kids and go away for Thanksgiving. Then this was put in my mind again, and now I want to fight in Toronto. I got friends in Toronto. I spent six weeks there this year [filming a movie in the summer before getting his title shot at UFC 199]. I love that place.
“If it’s not GSP I don’t mind being on the card against somebody else, and Nick Diaz would be somebody else that moves the needle. Now, again, I know I’m going to open myself to criticism saying that, but there’s been talk of us having a fight before. His last fight was against Anderson Silva, so he’s fought at [middleweight], and if Nick Diaz wants to do it, I’ll fight Nick Diaz.”
Bisping earned a unanimous decision over Dan Henderson at UFC 204 earlier this month but many felt Henderson won. The 37-year-old Englishman has been criticized by many of the top middleweight contenders for calling out a 46-year-old Henderson, who was the No. 13-ranked contender at the time, for his first title defence then challenging a welterweight in GSP who hasn’t fought in three years.
“If anybody wants to do it, as long as it’s not some new pup that just signed with the UFC, I’m down to fight anyone,” Bisping said. “I’ll say it again, and I’m not trying to be a tough-ass. I’ll fight anybody as long as it makes sense business wise. I’m not going to risk my reputation and my title against some chump, but if there’s a lot money on the line, then I’ll do it. And if Nick Diaz wants to go at UFC 206, formally, officially, I invite you to sign the bout agreement.”
Luke Rockhold, who Bisping knocked out at UFC 199 to claim the 185-pound title, is scheduled to fight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza on Nov. 27 and Chris Weidman meets Yoel Romero at UFC 205 on Nov. 12. Bisping explained that after his prospective fight at UFC 206, should it come to fruition, he will be more than happy to defend his title against one of Rockhold, Weidman, Souza or Romero — the top four ranked middleweight contenders.
“Whoever wins more impressively, these top four middleweights…I’ll fight whoever that is after this,” Bisping added. “That will happen, 100 per cent. Believe you me, I want to fight Chris Weidman. Out of the four of them, I’ve already beat Rockhold. Weidman is the one I want to fight. So I ain’t ducking anybody.”
Bisping has fought in Canada four times in his UFC career, including once in Toronto when he defeated Brian Stann at UFC 152 back in 2012.
