Report: GSP formally challenges Bisping to fight at MSG in November
Georges St-Pierre has heeded Michael Bisping's words.
The former UFC welterweight champion formally challenged the reigning middleweight king to fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 4, and reached out to UFC president Dana White regarding the matchup on Thursday morning, MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani reports.
"Michael, you should man up and fight me 11/4 in N.Y.," Saint-Pierre wrote in a text sent to both Bisping and White. "I am coming out of retirement to retire you. Dana, PLEASE make it happen."
The news comes mere days after Bisping gave St-Pierre until Saturday to put the wheels for the bout in motion.
Related: Bisping gives GSP deadline to 'man up' and make fight happen
St-Pierre had been expected to end a layoff dating back to November 2013 in a middleweight championship bout opposite Bisping at some point this year, only for injuries to both fighters to prompt White to recently pull the plug on the tilt. While the UFC boss later stated his aim to book St-Pierre in a welterweight title fight in the final quarter of 2017, both GSP and Bisping kept their sights set on each.
As far as White is concerned, "The Count" will likely face the winner of an interim middleweight title bout between Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker, set for Saturday at UFC 213. The middleweight champ hasn't defended the strap since he fought Dan Henderson last October, with a lingering knee injury spawning Romero's date with Whittaker.
Related: White: Bisping 'in line' to unify title against Romero-Whittaker winner
St-Pierre hasn't fought since he defended the welterweight title - which he later vacated - against Johny Hendricks at UFC 167.