In a shocking move, the middleweight title fight that was to mark the return of Georges St-Pierre to the Octagon has been called off.
"I made this GSP fight, we did a press conference. The thing was supposed to happen in July. Michael Bisping is going to have to defend his title now. We’re not waiting for GSP," UFC president Dana White told FOX Sports Australia’s "UFC Fight Week."
With GSP recently saying he wouldn't be ready to fight until after October, White now intends to have middleweight champion Michael Bisping in action much sooner.
"Georges St-Pierre is saying he will not be ready to compete now until November. Who knows if that’s even the case. It could be next year," White said.
"So we’re not waiting for Georges St-Pierre anymore. We’re moving on with the division, and Yoel Romero will get the next shot."
No. 1 contender Romero was asked to step aside beforehand so the UFC could make the GSP-Bisping fight happen.
The bout was to mark St-Pierre's return to the Octagon after an extensive layoff. The former welterweight champion last fought in November 2013 before stepping away from the sport. St-Pierre signed a deal in February to return to the UFC, though the identity of his first opponent now becomes a mystery.
