GSP makes his return

It’s been almost four years since we last saw Georges St Pierre on top of the octagon. He was at his peak and on top of the game when he abruptly retired. We can probably now label it as a hiatus, but back then he didn’t give any timetable for his return.

Today he will be making his much-awaited comeback against the reigning UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping.

There’s been a lot of hype about GSP’s return. The question is--does he still have it?

GSP. When he was the reigning welterweight champion, GSP was touted to be as close to a perfect fighting machine if there ever was one.

His karate background made him a capable striker and his jiu-jitsu knowledge was extensive. His athleticism allowed him to naturally blend his strengths into a superb skill set. But it was his fighting I.Q. that made him superior to his opponents.

He could adjust strategies mid-fight and smell out an oppo- nent’s weakness instinctively.

But today, he will be 36 years old and four years removed from active competition. He will also be competing at the middleweight division for the first time in his career.

And standing in his way, will be one of the best fighters in this generation.

BISPING.

This brash, confident British fighter has seen it all. He has come back from adversity time and again. He owns wins over Jason Miller, Luke Rockhold, Anderson Silva and Alan Belcher.

“The Count” has come a long way from his hometown in Lancashire, England. He became a world champion when he stepped in at 17 days notice as a replacement for an injured Chris Weidman and exacted revenge over Rockhold by knocking him out in the first round. He is also the first British UFC champion.

COMEBACK.

In the UFC, the most successful comeback story from a long layoff comes from Dominic Cruz.

After suffering injuries, Cruz was sidelined for two years. But he came back in 2016 to defeat TJ Dillashaw and become the UFC bantamweight champion. Can GSP do the same? When you are inactive, that’s gone.

MY TAKE.

Talent-wise, GSP is miles ahead of Bisping. He will also have an advantage in speed. Strength-wise, they may be equal despite Bisping being the naturally bigger fighter.

Bisping’s strength will be his relentless will and aggression. If there is weakness in GSP’s game, it could be in the striking department. Bisping has to take the fight early to GSP and make it a striking game.

The longer the match goes, the advantage goes to GSP as he will become more familiar with the game and muscle memory kicks in.

So I think Bisping has to win via KO early otherwise, GSP will claw his way back and win a close decision.