5 Reasons to Exercise Caution over Bisping vs GSP at UFC 217.

When it comes to the conversation of the best ever of MMA greats, the names Demetrious Johnson, Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre (GSP) are of the top three names that are whispered among serious MMA fans due to absurdly long reigns as Champions of the Sport. The UFC’s Reigning Middleweight Champion, Michael Bisping, is still chasing his own legacy, so his name can be chiseled on the existential tablet list of greatest fighters to ever do it. To work towards this accomplishment, Bisping will have to defeat perhaps the greatest UFC Welterweight Champion of all time in GSP.

Why should you exercise caution when it comes to this matchup?

If I were a gambling man, I’d advise you to exercise serious caution before picking a winner. Here are 5 of the major factors leading up this Super Fight that may influence your decision making process.

1. Georges St. Pierre has been away from MMA since November of 2013. After a very controversial, yet successful title defense against number 1 contender of the time, Johny Hendricks, GSP declared he needed some time away from the sport and vacated his UFC belt a short while later. Johny Hendricks would then go onto splitting a pair of Title Fights with Robbie Lawler in 2014. Since GSP went "into hiding", no one has been able to accurately gauge his reactions about the title that no one could pry from him shifting hands so many times since.

2. Michael Bisping has struggled against High Level wrestlers in the past. Not to discredit the enormous amount of success in Bisping’s recent 5 win streak, he has had some issues with the pressure from fighters with very strong wrestling credentials. Retired Fighter Tim Kennedy’s 2014 victory over Michael Bisping is a huge attest to this issue, when he was literally rag-dolled and controlled in a 5 round Main event. GSP’s wrestling pedigree is at an elite level and is a huge threat in this fight. Other wrestling-based fighters that used this style to defeat Bisping include Rashad Evans and Chael Sonnen.

3. The Fight is at Middleweight and Bisping debuted in The Octagon as a Light Heavyweight. Weight is a big factor in this matchup due to The Champion being much bigger; and 185 pounds is a weight class GSP has never explored before. The fans and spectators don’t know what to expect from GSP’s venture into the realm unknown.

4. The Title is Disputed right now. Robert Whittaker secured the Interim Middleweight Title back in July and he had a moment with Michael Bisping after this fight. A rivalry was born and it is highly likely that the UFC is still interested in protecting this rivalry to secure future ticket and PPV sales. They want The Champ to still Reign. If it goes to decision, expect to hear Bruce Buffer announce “AND STILL.” Not that I'm implying that anything shady will happen on the score cards, you have to be curious why UFC matchmakers created an Interim Title and if they're still invested in it. Is this fight a One-Off? And if GSP wins, does he fight Whittaker or walk off into the sunset a Dual-Division Champion? There are even rumors that current Welterweight Champion, Tyron Woodley is going to issue a Challenge to the winner! A lot of questions are being raised from the huge list of outcomes than can happen from the result.

5. UFC President Dana White’s personal opinions/politics created this matchup. Michael and Georges’ proposed fight was taken off the table once already. After a very lackluster fight featuring Welterweight Champion, Tyron Woodley, Dana said the GSP-Bisping fight is back on, just to spite Tyron’s boring title defense victory. Due to Dana White’s meddling, you never know if these athletes are actually as fired up for this fight as they seem. Motivation is something you have to strongly consider in the fight game and we the fans hope it lives up to the expectations.

Let's get it on (Already)

In Conclusion, both Fighters are amazing athletes and you may have to search your heart to pick a winner. Factor in the confusing matchup choice and that a fighter coming out of retirement is also a risky wager. Another Middleweight Champion is waiting in the looms for his shot and workplace grudges caused this matchup in the first place. Either way this shall be an exciting fight if the tensions are real among some of MMA’s greats. Tune in on Saturday only on Pay-Per-View!

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