There are not many fighters who can claim the honour of having fought the two greatest of all time.
The GOAT argument typically boils down to two names – Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre – and, as of yet, only Nick Diaz has shared the Octagon with both men.
But another man is set to join that exclusive club with confirmation arriving on Wednesday that reigning UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping will defend his title against the returning St-Pierre later this year.
The bout had been teased for months but due to the Canadian’s lengthy contract dispute with the UFC, nothing was ever signed. Until now.
St-Pierre, the most successful welterweight in the sport’s history, is set to make his 185lbs debut opposite ‘The Count’ on a date in the second half of 2017 in a venue that has yet to be decided.
Bisping was initially being lined up to meet Yoel Romero next but couldn’t turn down a payday against former 170lbs champion St-Pierre, who vacated his title in 2013 and hasn’t fought since.
.@bisping explains how the title fight vs @GeorgesStPierre came about. #UFCTonight https://t.co/R4uV8AvpOe
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 2, 2017
And Manchester-born Bisping has since detailed how the biggest fight of his career went from inception to realisation.
“This fight was actually offered to me around last October,” Bisping explained on FOX.
“The fight couldn’t come to fruition, I believe Georges couldn’t agree to terms with the UFC so I kind of put that fight out of my mind and started thinking about the next contenders in the UFC.
“I got a phone call a week ago from (UFC President) Dana White, saying the fight was back on the table and Georges wanted to fight me.
“It’s a big fight and of course I said ‘Yes!’
“Georges St-Pierre is a legendary fighter. He’s had one of the best careers, if not the best career, in the history of the sport.”
The booking of the bout came in for some criticism from fight fans, as well as fighters, due to the fact that St-Pierre was allowed to jump a lengthy queue at middleweight, in spite of his lengthy absence, just because of his superstar name.
But Bisping had this to say to the likes of Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza and Yoel Romero, who feel aggrieved that they’re not getting the next title shot.
“I put this question to you right now… If you are Yoel Romero or Luke Rockhold or ‘Jacare’ or any of these guys, if you are offered a fight with GSP then I know for a fact you’re going to take that fight,” Bisping continued.
“So why shouldn’t I do the same? I deserve this payday and I deserve this fight.
“Not only to do with the payday, I want this fight for my legacy.
“I beat Dan Henderson. I beat Anderson Silva. Georges St-Pierre is another legend that I want to add to my resume.”
