In the four years since George St-Pierre last fought in the UFC, the landscape of the sport has changed dramatically but one thing which hasn’t, is his fighting ability in the Octagon.
A lot of question marks were raised when GSP decided to return to the sport – despite being a long-time welterweight champion – taking on middleweight champion and seasoned campaigner Michael Bisping, in the main event at UFC 217 at Madison Square Garden.
His last outing was in 2013, defeating Johny Hendricks via a controversial points decision which many thought should have swung in favour of his opponent – on the night, in Las Vegas, GSP revealed a lot was going on in his personal life and he ‘needed to hang up his gloves for a little bit’.
‘For a little bit’ turned into four years but his return to the Octagon did not disappoint!
GSP looked bigger and more muscular than four years ago and managed to absorb several blows from Bisping before finishing the champ with a devastating counter left.
This was the shot that set up the famous win for GSP:
GSP knew where Bisping was weak, as he mentioned in his post-fight comments:
I studied Michael’s tape and I knew he had a problem with shots from the right, so I faked on the left side to attract his attention and I struck him on the right.
His tactics paid off as Bisping went down, visibly shaken by the blow before GSP dived on top of him to finish the fight in style.
You can watch the full ending here:
Although it looks a lot like GSP had wanted to knock out Bisping on the ground, apparently he deliberately backed off the British fighter to get him on his front and an opportunity for GSP to get on his back.
It worked to perfection and Bisping was locked in the choke, saying after the fight:
He has a hell of a squeeze.
GSP said afterwards:
It was a trick. I kind of like to put traps in. I have more experience and a few years ago, I was trying to force things.
I think the best way in fighting is to set up traps so when your opponent steps in, you get him.
St-Pierre is now the UFC Middleweight champion, four years after his last fight in the competition – now matching Bisping on 20 wins – the UFC’s joint-highest ever.
GSP finished by saying:
I don’t have the words in my mouth right now. It’s a dream come true.
What better way to announce you’re back than delivering a crushing defeat to one of the UFC’s most experienced fighters.
Taking the idea of ‘being woke’ to a whole new level over a decade-long career in sport, court and online news, George has worked for titles and agencies including ESPN FC, Eurosport, LADbible and Court News UK. He may not have a degree but does have an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings.