Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White appeared on the morning edition of ESPN’s “Sportscenter” on Wednesday morning to break the news that Georges St-Pierre would be challenging Michael Bisping for his middleweight championship. The announcement caused fighters and fans alike to scratch their heads, wondering why Bisping wasn’t stepping into the octagon with somebody who has recently deserved the shot like Yoel Romero or Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
While the champion has received criticism for ducking his opponents, it has come to light that Bisping wasn’t behind these decisions at all. UFC officials were the ones who lined the fight up and sent Bisping the contract; Bisping just signed the contract that made more sense for his bank accounts:
No one wants to believe this, and White should prob clarify, but it was UFC's decision to do Hendo @ 204 and UFC/GSP's call to do Bisping,
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 1, 2017
Idea that Bisping is picking easy, money fights is just wrong. Both were presented to him first. That's fact. Every fighter would do same.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 1, 2017
That's not me defending the booking. I understand every criticism. But again, this isn't Bisping's doing. Right place, right time for him.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 1, 2017
