While UFC remains quiet about announcing a date or venue for Michael Bisping’s middleweight title defense against returning former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, public negotiations continue to complicate matters.
After St-Pierre (25-2) recently said he would need until at least the fall to be ready, Bisping (30-7) answered back Monday during an episode of his podcast, “Believe You Me,” saying that if GSP isn’t ready for July, he might lose the opportunity.
“I’m just throwing it out there right now, if he wants to wait until September or October, then he can go find himself another opponent, buddy,” Bisping said. “Because I call the shots. Without sounding like an asshole, it’s my belt. I’m the champion and I’m not willing to sit around until September or October.”
Whether Bisping is serious, or just looking to gain an upper hand in the negotiating of the fight, the news is certainly good for No. 1 contender Yoel Romero, who is the most deserving opponent in waiting.
Bisping, 38, who scored an almost fairytale upset first-round knockout of Luke Rockhold in his long-awaited first title shot during their rematch last June, would prefer to face St-Pierre in July during International Fight Week in Las Vegas. But he appeared willing to bring Romero back into consideration if GSP stands firm.
“If he’s not ready then I guess Yoel Romero gets his title shot,” Bisping said. “Listen, I’m not afraid of Yoel Romero. If GSP wants to fight, of course, there’s a great story there.
“I’ve got the belt and I want to fight. I’m in my prime. I don’t want to sit around for a year.”
Romero, 39, is 8-0 in the UFC and fresh off a devastating knockout of Chris Weidman at UFC 205 in November. His initial reaction to Bisping’s comments involved a series of tweets, including a brief of “#FakeNews.”
I think @bisping will do as gsp wants. He doesn't have the heart nor the juevos to fight me. If he did he would fight me in July. #ynuevo https://t.co/AOy8wUU548
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) March 28, 2017
Bisping also criticized St-Pierre’s insistence on such a long training camp, saying he would be a “bit flexible” should GSP need to extend past July 8 as a target date but would prefer to fight during International Fight Week, which annually hosts one of the UFC’s biggest cards.
“So Georges St-Pierre, get it together. Stop doing your f------ gymnastics, stop doing your backflips and whatever it is and let’s do this, buddy,” Bisping said. “Come on, sign the paperwork. You want it. You sat there at the press conference. You talked big. You sounded confident so sign the goddamn paperwork. It’s as simple as that.”
