If you ask Georges St-Pierre for his opinion on his UFC 217 opponent, Michael Bisping, he will acknowledge that he's one of the greatest fighters ever. Pose the same question to Bisping, his answer will emulate St-Pierre's response.
The two marquee names in the UFC showed that they have the respect for each other. Yet when they took the stage on Friday for the first press conference leading up to Nov. 4, the mind games were on full display.
St-Pierre, 36, has been absent from the UFC for the past four years. When he bagan his return to the sport, St-Pierre made it clear he wanted a shot at Bisping. Despite Bisping being the Middleweight Champion, St-Pierre feels he will defeat Bisping because, "there is nothing more sure."
"Water is wet, fire burns and I'm going to beat Bisping," St-Pierre said at Friday's press conference. "I'm going to do whatever I want to do. I'm going to strike you. I'm going to put you down. I'm going to submit you and I'm going to do whatever I want. Whatever I want to do, when I want to do it."
GSP gets physical!! @Bisping and @GeorgesStPierre get heated during their face off! #UFC217 pic.twitter.com/1bt4FGmOp1
— UFC (@ufc) October 6, 2017
St-Pierre's return has sent the UFC into a frenzy. The UFC has set up a website, GSPreturns.com, to promote the fight. The site features videos and social media posts for UFC 217, and a large text across the screen reads: "A Legend Returns. Where will you be?"
Bisping seemed virtually unfazed by St-Pierre's comments throughout the event. Bisping's tactics ranged from an imitation of St-Pierre's French-Canadian accent to criticizing what St-Pierre was wearing.
"You look like a history teacher," Bisping said.
Bisping was taken back was when someone in the audience boo'd him when the 38-year-old proclaimed that he was one of the greatest MMA fighters and that everyone will miss him when he's gone, but that was the only time Bisping was fazed by any comment. Bisping has won his last five fights, including a title defense, and recognizes that the size differential will play a significant factor in the outcome.
"He's the biggest Georges St-Pierre that we've ever seen," Bisping said. "But he's still the smallest guy that I'm ever going to fight."
St-Pierre and Bisping shared the stage with fellow main carders: Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Rose Namajunas, and Cody Garbrandt and T.J. Dillashaw. However, the latter four appeared to have the best seat in the house for the next month.