Canadian fans complaining about UFC 206 might want to pay attention to Michael Bisping’s Twitter feed.
The UFC middleweight champ says he’s “verbally agreed” to a matchup on the card with Georges St-Pierre (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) and prodded the former UFC welterweight champion to put pen to paper.
“We all want more money,” Bisping (30-7 MMA, 20-7 UFC) wrote. “But let’s go, sign the papers. Give the people of Toronto what they want, be a hero! Let’s go champ!”
Despite Bisping’s claims, UFC President Dana White told MMAjunkie that fans should temper their enthusiasm.
“There is no Bisping vs. ‘GSP’ fight in Toronto,” White told MMAjunkie via text. “I know Mike wants it, but it’s not happening.”
UFC 206 takes place Dec. 10 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The event airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass, though the bout order hasn’t been finalized.
Bisping’s comments are the latest development in a strange saga with St-Pierre. The 35-year-old hasn’t competed since beating Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November 2013. According to the French-Canadian superstar, discussions about a UFC comeback started in February when he told the promotion he was eager to end his lengthy hiatus and return to competition.
“Rush,” who left the promotion on a run of 12 consecutive wins – a streak that includes nine defenses the 170-pound belt – felt he was making progress towards stepping back in the UFC, but the promotion was suddenly sold to new owners, and negotiations soured.
That prompted St-Pierre to declare himself a free agent, a stance that UFC officials opposed.
“Georges St-Pierre remains under an existing agreement with Zuffa, LLC as his MMA promoter,” a statement from the promotion read. “Zuffa intends to honor its agreement with St-Pierre and reserves its rights under the law to have St-Pierre do the same.”
MMAjunkie then spotted St-Pierre in Las Vegas, home of the UFC, last week, thought he declined to comment on his reason for being in town.
The latest UFC 206 card includes:
Champ Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson – for light heavyweight title
Poliana Botelho vs. Valerie Letourneau
Zach Makovsky vs. John Moraga
John Makdessi vs. Lando Vannata
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Drew Dober
Rustam Khabilov vs. Jason Saggo
Misha Cirkunov vs. Nikita Krylov
Dooho Choi vs. Cub Swanson
Li Jingliang vs. Chad Laprise
Emil Meek vs. Jordan Mein
