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Roach: GSP punches 'with a lot more power' at middleweight

Tom Szczerbowski / US PRESSWIRE

Georges St-Pierre's move up to middleweight hasn't come without some physical benefits, says Freddie Roach.

Speaking with Fight Hub ahead of GSP's divisional debut opposite reigning champ Michael Bisping at UFC 217, the legendary boxing trainer - who'll work St-Pierre's corner on fight night - stated the former welterweight king's change in weight class hasn't been confined to the scale.

"He’s getting better and better. He’s a little bigger, a little stronger than he has been in the past because this fight is going to be in a higher weight class. He has a little more weight on him, and he punches with a lot more power," Roach said, according to Bloody Elbow's Anton Tabuena.

With St-Pierre's return from a layoff of nearly four years just over a month away, Roach will be splitting his time between the United States and GSP's home base of Montreal until they head to the Big Apple for fight week.

"He did really really well. I’m going to be heading up to Montreal pretty soon. For six weeks, I’ll spend three days a week in Montreal, and four days here," he said. "He wants me in the corner. He wants me in the ring, in between rounds, and I said no problem."

"He’s in with a big tough guy, and it should be action-packed. I’m excited with my first UFC fight."

Even with the weight he's packed on in preparation for the bout, St-Pierre will still be the smaller man come fight night, as Bisping walks around at north of 200 pounds. But the way Roach sees it, as long as GSP shakes off the cobwebs in the early going, he'll ride his edge in athleticism to victory.

"(Bisping) is a tough guy. He comes to fight. I don’t think he’s the best athlete in the world. I think Georges is a much better athlete, and I think that will be the difference in the fight. His athleticism will take him through the fight.

"But it’s not going to be easy though, that’s for sure. The first round, I’m a little worried, because Georges is always a little bit stiff in the first round. Then he gets into the fight as the rounds go on. So early, I’m a little bit worried but I’ll warm him up really good in the dressing room."

St-Pierre challenges Bisping for the middleweight crown Nov. 4 at Madison Square Garden.

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