The date has finally been set; George St Pierre is finally making his way back into the octagon and his UFC return is a big one. He is facing off against Michael Bisping for the middleweight crown and it's a fight that holds a certain degree of personal animosity between the two.
UFC 217: Bisping vs. St-Pierre UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis UFC 217: Bisping vs. St-Pierre was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship held on November 4, 2017, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Michael Bisping (c) vs Georges St-Pierre This is a big fight! The return of GSP and the continuation of Bisping's much overlooked title run. I think Bisping takes it, but you never know with GSP. PREDICTION: Michael Bisping, 2nd round KO. BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Cody Garbrandt (c) vs TJ Dillashaw (#2).
GSP and Bisping had plenty of banter during the summer press conference, but many thought that this ship had sailed. They were wrong – Dana White has set it up and somehow GSP is a massive favourite going into the bout.
We are not sure how a guy who hasn't fought since 2013 is a favourite to win – it seems bizarre to us, because Michael Bisping is a tough guy who is on a decent win-streak. Of course, GSP is one of the greatest ever too, so it's not just any other fight. Nonetheless, the champion will fancy his chances and will be delighted to get a money fight after being one of the UFC's star performers for many years.
UFC 217 'Prelims' preview: Complete online breakdown, predictions for top 4 of 7 undercard matches on FOX Sports 1 this weekend (Sat., Nov. 4, 2017) in New York City: Vick vs. Duffy, Harris vs. The Bloody Elbow staff has submitted its predictions for UFC 217: Bisping vs. St-Pierre, and because this is a major show, we've divided these posts to main card and preliminary card.
George St Pierre form
St Pierre Vs Bisping Predictions Odds
Well, if we are honest, his current form is non-existent. GSP hasn't fought at all since 2013 – before that he was one the greatest fighters of all-time. Johny Hendricks was his last fight and GSP won via a split decision. Prior to that he won fights against Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz. He looked epic in these bouts, but the question remains – does he still have the skills to compete at the top level.
Michael Bisping form
Bisping has had a tough run in the UFC, so he probably deserves some of the luck he is getting as champion. His first defence was against Dan Henderson, who was well past his prime at the time. Now he is taking on a fighter who has been absent from the sport for years. Many of his critics have stated that Bisping should be facing off against one of the divisions top contenders. Whitaker and Romero will certainly feel aggrieved that they have once again been overlooked for a fight against the champion.
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St Pierre Vs Bisping Predictions Bleacher Report
Robert Whittaker is the interm-champion of the UFC's middleweight division and can feel aggrieved that Dana White is not giving him a shot at Bisping. Granted, he has been promised a fight with the winner, but he would have expected much more when he defeated Yoel Romero. GSP was supposed to be fighting Tyron Woodley originally, but Woodley's dull performance against Demian Maia ruled him out of the proposed fight. Instead, Dana gave him the money fight against the more entertaining Bisping.
Betting
We think Bisping will win this fight. He has looked up-to-speed in his last few bouts and although GSP is one of the best ever, he still hasn't fought in a very long time. It took him an age to sign on in this fight and we would question how much he actually wants to be there. He is 13/10 with Ladbrokes to get the win and it looks like a great bet to us.
On November 4 at UFC 217,a legend makes his long awaited return as he aims to create history at Madison Square Garden. On a blockbuster card, Georges St Pierre will take on Michael Bisping in the main event and at stake is not only the UFC middleweight title but sporting glory. Bisping finally achieved a lifelong dream of winning a UFC world title whilst GSP's legacy was built on his reign as welterweight king. History remembers those that risked it all for greatness and GSP will do just that, against a foe who revels in the heat of battle.
Perceived by many to be one of the greatest fighters to have ever graced the octagon, Georges St Pierre brought class and style to a savage sport. Born in Quebec, Canada,his first step into martial arts was at aged 7 when he took up kyokushin karate. GSP later took up wrestling, BJJ and boxing, tools that all aided him in reaching the UFC. His first two fights in the promotion were impressive victories and in only his third fight, he was thrown in with the former champion Matt Hughes. GSP fell short but his championship dreams were not be denied as he embarked on a 5 fight win streak to earn a title shot once more. Redemption was achieved for GSP as he defeated Matt Hughes in emphatic fashion and became the UFC welterweight champion. The glory was short lived however as he was knocked out in his first title defence against Matt Serra. What followed was a streak that has never been matched in the divisions history. GSP reclaimed his title with a beat down of Serra and he then proceeded to make 9 successful title defences against foes such as BJ Penn, Carlos Condit, Nick Diaz, Thiago Alves and John Fitch. In 2013, GSP decided to take a break from the sport citing personal issues but 4 years later, the former welterweight king returns in unfamiliar circumstances. The middleweight crown would further enhance his legacy but between the saint and his prize stands a count who has no intentions of parting from his throne.
St Pierre Vs Bisping Predictions Today
Michael Bisping's mma career has been a long and tumultuous journey but it was all validated as he scaled to the pinnacle at UFC 199. Bisping made his UFC debut in 2006 and has fought some of the best fighters around. A style that relies on his striking and conditioning has seen Bisping incur losses against top contenders but his determination and fortitude saw him come back even hungrier. The Lancashire man has found himself on a 5 fight win streak and at the age of 38, the experience and skill have created a perfect age defying tonic. His knockout victory over Luke Rockhold earned him the middleweight title despite being the overwhelming underdog and as UFC 217 approaches, his name will fill the underdog column once more. His opponent is a legend in his own right but on November 4, Bisping will know that the fight in the dog takes precedence over the size of the dog.
Prediction:
There are several intriguing aspects to this contest but a large component will be based around what GSP shows up. During his prime he possessed a superb jab, excellent take down credentials and high level fight IQ. Combined with his explosive athleticism, not many could solve the GSP puzzle but having taken 4 years off, can he replicate his best form? Bisping's style is oriented around his striking and accurate boxing but his superhuman conditioning and venerable take down defence will pose several problems for GSP. If GSP is to win this fight, taking Bisping down and keeping him there will be pivotal. Everything will come off the ramrod jab but he will have to mix his striking up, continually. Toe to toe exchanges should be avoided and he has to be aware of Bisping's short left hook and counter right. GSP has some of the best striking to takedown transitions and he will have to pick his moments carefully against an opponent who will be expecting a takedown.Pressing Bisping when he is nearing the cage should increase his chances of landing a takedown but he must pace himself and not expend too much energy as this is a 5 round contest at a higher weight. If GSP can get Bisping down and hold him there during the early stages of the fight, he should be able to earn a decision victory and become the new middleweight champion. If Bisping is to win this fight, he will need push the pace and be tactical with his striking. Moving in and out of range is imperative whilst circling away from the cage should limit the take down opportunities. Bisping has to be wary of not lunging in with strikes because that is where GSP tends to have success in his take downs. In addition to the movement, the uppercut and knees can be used to ward off take down attempts and kicks should be thrown sparingly. If Bisping finds himself on the ground, he needs to scramble or tie his opponent up. The grappling advantage goes to GSP but Bisping has the size and conditioning to go a hard 5 rounds which is why the fight must be fought at a high tempo. If Bisping can be strategic and precise with his striking and movement, he should be able take this fight into deep waters and either land a well timed left hook or earn a clear decision victory.
The difficulty in making a prediction for this fight is predicated on GSP's 4 year hiatus and his move to a new weight class. These are variables that are highly impactful to the outcome of the fight. However, I do think stylistically, this fight favours Michael Bisping. He is the bigger more active fighter at this stage and his striking is good enough to overwhelm his opponents. The take down threat will be there from GSP but Bisping has terrific scrambling and his conditioning will reduce the effects of grappling. I see this fight being a 5 round affair with GSP taking Bisping down in the early rounds but not being able to keep him there. Bisping's jab and counter right will cause GSP problems and numerous failed attempts at a takedown will fatigue the former welterweight king. GSP will not carry any sort of power at middleweight which should allow Bisping to let his hands go as the fight progresses. Once he is into his groove and has his timing down, Bisping should take the later rounds by pot shotting and being tactical with his offence. The left hook is Bisping's best shot for a TKO but I think GSP will be very tentative on his feet as the fight goes on and Bisping should stride towards a unanimous decision victory.
St Pierre Vs Bisping Results
Michael Bisping Win Via Unanimous Decision
