There’s big news in the MMA world surrounding GSP vs Bisping. The highly controversial and criticized fight between middleweight champ Michael Bisping and former welterweight great George St-Pierre is apparently off!
GSP vs Bisping
The GSP vs Bisping “super fight” was announced in March with no indication of when the fight would be. The UFC pushed to have it headline UFC 213, International Fight Week in Las Vegas, but St-Pierre isn’t ready to fight that soon. In fact, St-Pierre released a video last week saying he would be ready until October or later!
The moans and sighs of fight fans were heard anywhere after this came to light. We want to see this fight in the summer, not wait until the fall or winter.
It’s no secret there is a log jam of contenders all viable for title shots – Yoel Romero, Robert Whittaker, Luke Rockhold, Gegard Mousasi. You can even add Chris Weidman and Anderson Silva to that list. All these fighters are standing in line waiting for their shot at the title, but this super fight was delaying the division from progressing.
Fight fans rejoice!
Dana White announced to Australian media that the fight is off. He admitted that he had intentions of them fighting in July, but after seeing St-Pierre’s message, he wants to “move on with the division.” White even went as far as to say Yoel Romero will be getting the next title shot.
This is great news because now we can finally get on with the division. Yoel Romero will likely fight Michael Bisping to headline UFC 213 in July. It may not be the super fight we were hoping for, but UFC 213 is looking like one badass card. It includes Cody Garbrandt vs TJ Dillashaw, Amanda Nunes vs Valentina Shevchenko II, Alistair Overeem vs Fabricio Werdum III, and also Donald Cerrone vs Robbie Lawler.
Where does that leave the others?
Meanwhile, you can expect the other contenders to get busy knowing that the division is a go. Luke Rockhold is healthy and ready to come back. I’d expect him to face Robert Whittaker next, perhaps in Australia. Next, I’d like Gegard Mousasi to either rematch Chris Weidman or face Anderson Silva.
And for George St-Pierre?
Well, this atleast allows him to come back when he’s ready and not be rushed by the UFC into a date that’s too early for him. It also lets him return to the appropriate division for him – not a heavier weight class that he really doesn’t have any business being in.
Unfortunately, the welterweight division is a somewhat similar situation. Demian Maia fights Jorge Masvidal this weekend in a number one contender’s fight. Maia is long overdue for a title shot, much like Yoel Romero is. If George St-Pierre comes back to fight welterweight champ Tyron Woodley, then we once again have this log jam where the rightful number one contender isn’t getting his title shot.
The ideal scenario
The winner of Demain Maia and Jorge Masvidal will fight Tyron Woodley for the welterweight belt. This fight will likely take place in August or September as July is a bit too fast of a turn-around. (Sorry Tyron, July won’t be your month!) George St-Pierre can return to fight the welterweight champion in December. The big New Years card would be a great spot to have this fight.
Meanwhile, Michael Bisping and Yoel Romero fight to headline UFC 213. The winner puts their belt on the line in November or December against whoever is the number one contender out of Luke Rockhold, Robert Whittaker, Gegard Mousasi, and the rest of the bunch.
