BISPING NOT FOR QUITTING
GEORGES ST-PIERRE returned from four years out of the ring to take Michael Bisping’s UFC middlewight title.
Bisping, Britain’s first UFC champion, lost the 185lbs title to St-Pierre in the main event of UFC 217 in front of a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden early on Sunday morning.
Bisping, the champion since June 2016, surrendered his belt on a third-round technical submission to a rear-naked choke.
A crestfallen Bisping said: “I’m disappointed, of course I am. I went out there and fought like a man and had a good fight.
“It was great, but he was the better man tonight.”
Despite coming up short in his second title defence, 38-year-old Bisping insisted his won’t quit after his first defeat in nearly three years.
He added: “I love doing what I do. I’m from a small town in the northwest of England, I never thought I’d be here headlining Madison Square Garden.
“And I’ll be damned if the last time I do it is getting choked out on TV.
“I felt good in there but got clipped, tonight was his night. Maybe March in London sounds nice, but I’ll have to see if I’m free.”
St-Pierre is now the fourth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two different weight classes.
The former welterweight champions, said: “It is a dream come true.”