Georges St-Pierre Says He Respects Michael Bisping Ahead of UFC 217

Georges St-Pierre spoke ahead of his fight with Michael Bisping at UFC 217 (per MMAjunkie), saying he respects Bisping but is ready for him. Highlights are below:

On Bisping: “His resume speaks by itself. He’s trying to get on my nerves and stuff, but as a fighter I really respect him. He’s accomplished a lot of great things in this sport and that’s why I was very excited to take that fight. I didn’t want to fight nobody else, and Michael, for me, he’s the highest guy right now in the sport. There’s nobody else in the game right now that will help my legacy as much as if I beat Michael Bisping.”

On how he matches up with Bisping: “He’s got a lot more things to worry about than I have about him. I can take him down, strike him, submit him. I can do all these things. Cardio has never been an issue for me. I’ve got a lot more weapons than he does. He’s only bigger, that’s it. I got a lot more weapons. My fight IQ is much higher than his.”

On Bisping’s mental warfare game: “All this is a mind game and I’m used to that. They always come out with the same song, every time. I hear it before. It’s no problem. It’s not going to change anything to me. I do my talking in the fight and that’s it. English is not my first language. If I would start a war of words with Michael, obviously he’s British, I’m French-Canadian and my English is not as good as his. He will win every time. I choose my battles. I will fight him in the octagon and beat him there. That’s where it’s important for me.”

On his mindest going into the fight: “I’m not planning on losing anytime soon. I don’t lose. I do not lose. … I take a fight at a time. I used to see too much ahead of time. I’m trying to have fun and live in the present moment. It doesn’t get bigger than this. Michael Bisping middleweight title, Madison Square Garden – it’s a dream come true. I couldn’t wish for a better scenario. I wanted to have the biggest fight possible for my comeback and I’m at my best when I’m fighting under pressure, when I’m on the edge. That’s when I perform the best.”