Looks like the fabled Michael Bisping vs. GSP bout is finally happening, at UFC 217 in New York. Though Bisping had all but confirmed it previously, and UFC President Dana White had confirmed following UFC 214 that the fight was back on, the former welterweight champ had remained quiet on the subject. Today, however, Georges St. Pierre posted a photo to his official Facebook page showing him signing the bout agreement.
That would mark the final piece of the UFC 217 headliner puzzle falling into place, as Bisping vs. GSP would no doubt serve as the main event.
The pair previously appeared at a press conference in March to promote a fight between them, with no specific date set. However, an eye injury to St. Pierre delayed his return to action, and Dana White later insisted that the fight was off. The Canadian was then briefly linked to a welterweight title fight. However, after the fallout of welterweight champion Tyron Woodley’s UFC 214 performance against Demian Maia, where a record for least strikes in a welterweight title fight was set, White again changed his mind.
St. Pierre (25–2) has not fought since a win over Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November of 2013. After saying he was taking some time off from the sport, he was stripped of the UFC welterweight title. GSP never said he was fully retired, however, and left the door open for a return. Chief on his list of conditions was improved drug testing, which the UFC implemented when they brought in USADA.
Bisping, meanwhile, has not fought since his first successful title defense against Dan Henderson last fall at UFC 204. He has won five straight, and shocked many by capturing the middleweight title at UFC 199 against Luke Rockhold, a fight Bisping took on short notice.
UFC 217 takes place November 4 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
