After months of speculation and rumours, the much-talked about clash between UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping and former welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre has officially been announced for UFC 217 in New York City this November.
UFC 217 will take place on Saturday, November 4 and see’s the promotion return to the iconic venue of Madison Square Garden in New York for only the second time since the ban on MMA in the state was lifted in 2016. The UFC’s first landmark show at MSG, UFC 205 in November last year, saw Conor McGregor become a double champion as he added the UFC Lightweight title to his featherweight crown with a dominant TKO win over Eddie Alvarez.
Formally announced by champion Bisping on FS1’s ‘UFC Tonight’, the match-up between himself and Canadian star St-Pierre has been touted all summer, although injury issues for both fighters has been a regular stumbling block.
The on-again, off-again bout will see former welterweight champion “Rush” return to the sport after a three-year hiatus and move to 185lbs for the first time in his career. St-Pierre has been absent from the sport since his ninth consecutive welterweight title defence against Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 which saw St-Pierre win an extremely close and hotly contested split decision. The 36-year-old then vacated the belt immediately afterwards to take an extended break from the sport.
BREAKING: Per @bisping, the GSP-Bisping fight has been targeted for Nov. 4 at Madison Square Garden for UFC 217! https://t.co/PrgaMQu6zK
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) August 2, 2017
“This is actually the third time I’ve been offered this fight, so the ship’s sailed twice,” said Bisping whilst on co-hosting duties. “On this occasion, on the third occasion, it set off sailing but did a U-turn and it pulled up at New York City. I’ve got a chirpy little Englishman who’s going to fight Georges St-Pierre, Madison Square Garden, Nov. 4. It is official. Do not miss it. We’re taking over.”
Although announced back in March with a targeted summer date, the fight between the two UFC veterans was shelved when St-Pierre claimed he could not fight until November due to prior commitments. This angered UFC President Dana White, who instead forged ahead with plans for Bisping to face rival Yoel Romero, although a knee injury to the champion put these plans on ice also.
Finally, White planned on putting “GSP” up against the winner of UFC 214’s welterweight title co-main event between Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia. However, the plans reverted back to having the Brit involved after Woodley was widely criticised for his boring performance against Maia despite winning a comfortable unanimous decision.
“I know Michael Bisping will fight,” White said in a post-UFC 214 interview about GSP’s potential opponent. “He will show up and actually fight.”
