St Pierre opens comeback in big verbal exchange with Bisping
LAS VEGAS — Georges St. Pierre has officially returned to the UFC, and the longtime mixed martial arts hero already has a villainous new foil.
St. Pierre and middleweight champion Michael Bisping traded insults Friday in a lively news conference announcing their matchup for St. Pierre’s return to mixed martial arts after a 3 1/2-year absence.
The rambunctious Bisping showed up 30 minutes late and immediately began launching profane trash talk at the punctilious St. Pierre, who responded with his own jabs. Bisping impugned St. Pierre’s height, toughness, reach and mental fortitude — and that was before anyone even asked a question.
“Hey Georges, where’s your belt?” Bisping asked, looking down at his own glittery strap. “You don’t have one. The sport moved on, buddy.”