White: Bisping 'in line' to unify title against Romero-Whittaker winner
As far as Dana White is concerned, Michael Bisping will have to put his designs on facing Georges St-Pierre on the back burner.
The UFC president recently told MMAjunkie the middleweight champ will - in all likelihood - face the winner of UFC 213's interim title bout between top contenders Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker.
"(Bisping) is in line for the winner," White said, according to John Morgan and Fernanda Prates. "Bisping’s never turned down a fight, this guy. Me and Bisping go back a long way from his season of 'The Ultimate Fighter,' and I’ve done a lot of things for Michael Bisping, and Michael Bisping’s done a lot of things for me.
"We have a really good relationship and we communicate a lot, even when we’re both not really happy with the situation and what’s going on. Me and Michael will get this done."
Bisping was expected to welcome GSP back to the Octagon at some point this year, only for injuries to both fighters to keep the matchup without a date and ultimately prompt White to scrap it altogether. That hasn't stopped "The Count" from campaigning for the superfight and giving St-Pierre a Saturday deadline to meet him halfway, although he's admitted he'll face the winner of the interim title bout - however reluctantly - if need be.
White, for one, remains confident Bisping will agree to unify the title against either Romero or Whittaker, as the Brit has never been one to back out of a fight.
Related: Bisping gives GSP deadline to 'man up' and make fight happen
"I’m going to tell you this: There are guys who turn down fights every day here - some I’m very public about, some I’m not," White said. "Bisping does not turn down fights. Bisping does not turn down fights. He does not. So I have a lot of respect for Mike. I like guys (like him).
"You’re in the fight business. You should be willing to fight anybody, anywhere, any time - especially if you’re the champion or one of the top (expletive) five guys in the world. You shouldn’t be turning down fights with anybody. Bisping does not."
As for St-Pierre, White revealed last week he intends to see the returning legend fight for the welterweight crown, which Tyron Woodley will defend against Demian Maia on July 29 at UFC 214.
Related - White: UFC aiming to book winner of Woodley-Maia vs. a returning GSP