UFC 217: Bisping vs GSP Info and Betting Thread

[tokeweed]

Date: Saturday, November 4th
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass): 22:00 BCT / 3pm PST / 6pm EST
Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1): 00:00 BCT / 5pm PST / 8pm EST
Main Card (PPV): 2:00 BCT / 7pm PST / 10pm EST
Live Streams: http://www.stopstream.me/




Main Card (PPV)

Michael Bisping (30-7) vs. Georges St-Pierre (25-2) (Middleweight Championship)
Cody Garbrandt (11-0) vs. T.J. Dillashaw (14-3) (Bantamweight Championship)
Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-0) vs. Rose Namajunas (6-3) (Women's Strawweight Championship)
Stephen Thompson (13-2-1) vs. Jorge Masvidal (32-12) (Welterweight)
Johny Hendricks (18-7) vs. Paulo Borrachinha (10-0) (Middleweight)

Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)

James Vick (11-1) vs. Joseph Duffy (16-2) (Lightweight)
Walt Harris (10-6) vs. Mark Godbeer (12-3) (Heavyweight)
Ion Cutelaba (13-3) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (12-2) (Light Heavyweight)
Randy Brown (9-2) vs. Mickey Gall (4-0) (Welterweight)

Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

Oleksiy Oliynyk (55-10-1) vs. Curtis Blaydes (8-1) (Heavyweight)
Ovince Saint Preux (21-10) vs. Corey Anderson (9-3) (Light Heavyweight)
Aiemann Zahabi (7-0) vs. Ricardo Ramos (10-1) (Bantamweight)

Other

- Gadzhimurad Antigulov was expected to face Ion Cutelaba at the event. However, Antigulov pulled out of the fight on September 26 citing an injury. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Michal Oleksiejczuk on October 13.

- Patrick Cummins was expected to face The Ultimate Fighter: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn light heavyweight winner Corey Anderson at this event. However on October 17, Cummins pulled out due to a resistant staph infection. He was replaced by former interim UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger Ovince Saint Preux on October 19.

Thanks to the Puertorican for letting me use this content

[Hydrogen]

I don't have many notes for this event.

-Aiemann Zahabi is actually Firas Zahabi's brother. In case people don't know who Firas Zahabi is, he's known for working with GSP, Rory MacDonald and many other UFC fighters out of tristar gym in canada.

-GSP, Joseph Duffy, Mickey Gall and Aiemann Zahabi are all fighting out of tristar MMA gym for this event.

-Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Jorge Masvidal and Alexey Oleynik are fighting out of american top team. ATT and tristar have the most fighters represented on this card afaik.

-Many will likely count Mickey Gall out since he's only 4-0 but don't underestimate him, he's trained seriously with people fighting in the UFC since he was a teenager.

-Cody Garbrandt clarified on the MMA hour saying he didn't knock TJ Dillashaw out cold in training(as was suggested earlier), he only rocked him.

-Alexey Olenik looked much improved after spending time at american top team before his last fight with Travis Browne.

Not a lot of info to offer on this event, I think most already know who the people fighting on the card are.

[tokeweed]

Oh cool.  I didn't realize this is gonna be featuring Coach Zahabi and Tristar.  Thanks for pointing that out. 

I'm honestly more intrigued with Garbrandt vs Dillashaw than the main event.  Dillashaw's style is almost a carbon copy of Cruz's but with the KO power.  And this is a grudge match between the two since they have some history, with Dillashaw being the 'snake' for leaving Team Alpha Male and with Garbrandt being the Faber loyalist.

Let's see how the champ nullify's the challenger.

 

[brascopck]

what a great card, cody and bisping.

[tokeweed]

There's nothing like a UFC promotional video to satisfy your cravings for the event.  The UFC has always done a good job in connecting with the fans thru social media, press conferences and with these videos.  I think they would have done a better job in promoting May vs Mac than Mayweather promotions.

UFC 217: Bisping vs St-Pierre - Extended Preview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjoOM6oBN0E

And Garbrandt is calling Dillashaw a prostitute for bouncing from gym to gym.    Let the trash talks begin!

[nydiacaskey01]

Oh cool.  I didn't realize this is gonna be featuring Coach Zahabi and Tristar.  Thanks for pointing that out. 

I'm honestly more intrigued with Garbrandt vs Dillashaw than the main event.  Dillashaw's style is almost a carbon copy of Cruz's but with the KO power.  And this is a grudge match between the two since they have some history, with Dillashaw being the 'snake' for leaving Team Alpha Male and with Garbrandt being the Faber loyalist.

Let's see how the champ nullify's the challenger.

 

This is true, Garbrandt vs Dillashaw fight is more interesting than GSPs return to UFC. GSPs last fight is not interesting anymore, he played safe most of the time just to keep his title. I know BJJ fighters what they are doing is not simple or easy and for those non BJJ fan watching them fight will just make them sleep, just like what GSP did in his last few fights but I respect his achievements in UFC and BJJ practioners.

[tokeweed]

Guys!  All of you gotta watch the press conferences for 217, Bisping is really doing a good job in promoting the fight.  He's even getting GSP worked up a bit, it's hilarious.

UFC 217: Bisping vs. GSP Press Conference - MMA Fighting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgounNjAoH4

Georges St-Pierre Shoves Michael Bisping at UFC 217 Face-Offs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-K8LWqjYy8

UFC 217: Bisping vs St-Pierre Toronto Press Conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0AoUB9Nqtw

[gabmen]

I've been waiting for this return for a long time now. Hopefully he gets the bashful bisping inhis place though its arguable that it will be a walk in the park as he probably won't be the same when he was in his prime. Hyped up for this though

[tokeweed]

I've been waiting for this return for a long time now. Hopefully he gets the bashful bisping inhis place though its arguable that it will be a walk in the park as he probably won't be the same when he was in his prime. Hyped up for this though

Lol.  Bisping is far from 'bashful'.  And from what he's doing, riling up the crowd and all, your kind of reaction is what he wants.  He's playing the part of the antagonist.  The funny thing is I think he's getting under GSP's skin. But let's see if that carries over during the bout.

[tokeweed]

Michael Bisping is at 2.09 at Nitrogen.  What do guys think?  Should I jump all over that or wait for the GSP fan boys to place their bets making the Bisping line go higher?

[Kemarit]

Oh cool.  I didn't realize this is gonna be featuring Coach Zahabi and Tristar.  Thanks for pointing that out. 

I'm honestly more intrigued with Garbrandt vs Dillashaw than the main event.  Dillashaw's style is almost a carbon copy of Cruz's but with the KO power.  And this is a grudge match between the two since they have some history, with Dillashaw being the 'snake' for leaving Team Alpha Male and with Garbrandt being the Faber loyalist.

Let's see how the champ nullify's the challenger.

 

Yeah, the  Garbrandt vs Dillashaw has more drama in it. Its been more than 2 years I think since TJ has left Team Alpha Male but the animosity is still there. I think they have been pitted before in a lot of training sessions when TJ was still in the team and there are rumors that Cody has already KO him. So its gonna be interesting to see those two settle their beef inside the Octagon. Good to see GSP is back. But it looks like he doesn't have that hype surrounding his Octagon return. But lets see if he still has hunger inside of him to fight. Otherwise he should retire for good.

Michael Bisping is at 2.09 at Nitrogen.  What do guys think?  Should I jump all over that or wait for the GSP fan boys to place their bets making the Bisping line go higher?

Nah. Don't jump in yet. I'm sure a lot of GSP fan boys will be making their bets in the next coming days. Better to wait dude.

[Hydrogen]

There is also Bellator 185 on october 20th.



And Donald Cerrone vs Darren Till in Poland on october 21st.



The UFC card ^ on the 21st is live around 6-8 hours earlier than normal due to it being in Poland.

Not certain about Bisping vs GSP. That could be a tough card to call. There could be many close fights and split decisions that could go either way.

Johny Hendricks is looking good as he's training at JacksonWink and seems to have renewed his competitive drive. Ion Cutelaba could be a big favorite as his opponent is a relative unknown. Other than that, a lot of the other fights could be very competitive. Hard to pick a winner in many of them.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

This is yet another big card with some interesting fights and it is back to Madison Square Garden,return of GSP is the focal point and i would like to see him face McGregor after this fight,Bisping is a tough opponent and it is really interesting to see whether we will see Anderson and GSP too as that was one fight i was looking for a very long time and now Anderson is not in his prime yet it is interesting to see that encounter.
Will make my predicts one week before the fight night.

[bbc.reporter]

@Kemarit. I reckon Michael Bisping's big mouth and his charisma will get some casual fans and gamblers to take his side. So if you are betting for Michael, you have to do it now before the odds start falling.

For George St Pierre fans like me, it is better to wait until the odds reach +100 or more. He has not fought in the octagon for almost 4 years, therefore betting on -120 would not really be that smart.

[Yaunfitda]

This is yet another big card with some interesting fights and it is back to Madison Square Garden,return of GSP is the focal point and i would like to see him face McGregor after this fight,Bisping is a tough opponent and it is really interesting to see whether we will see Anderson and GSP too as that was one fight i was looking for a very long time and now Anderson is not in his prime yet it is interesting to see that encounter.
Will make my predicts one week before the fight night.

People already lost interest on GSP vs Silva. They are already past their prime. The fight should have made about 4-5 years ago when both of them are really destroying their opponent. GSP retired, Silva lost the belt to Weidman and he has lost his touch after that. I don't see hardcore fans wants to see that fight. I think Bisping is one of the weakest champion that UFC had and I'm sure GSP will take him down and win on the scorecard.

[TravelMug]

There is also Bellator 185 on october 20th.



And Donald Cerrone vs Darren Till in Poland on october 21st.



The UFC card ^ on the 21st is live around 6-8 hours earlier than normal due to it being in Poland.

Not certain about Bisping vs GSP. That could be a tough card to call. There could be many close fights and split decisions that could go either way.

Johny Hendricks is looking good as he's training at JacksonWink and seems to have renewed his competitive drive. Ion Cutelaba could be a big favorite as his opponent is a relative unknown. Other than that, a lot of the other fights could be very competitive. Hard to pick a winner in many of them.

Yeah, Bisping vs GSP is a tough call. I reckon that the fight could you 5 rounds. If it go 5 rounds, could GSP survived it since he's been out of about 4 year now? Although Bisping is a big mouth, he has some skills to back it up and has been it tougher competition lately. So its really hard to predict their fight.

I hope that Johnny Hendricks can recover from this dismal performance. Its really hard to be on top, specially when he becomes a champion, it looks like everything went apart. Similar to Weidman. Let's see if he still have that itch inside of him to become a champion once more.

[matchi2011]

This is yet another big card with some interesting fights and it is back to Madison Square Garden,return of GSP is the focal point and i would like to see him face McGregor after this fight,Bisping is a tough opponent and it is really interesting to see whether we will see Anderson and GSP too as that was one fight i was looking for a very long time and now Anderson is not in his prime yet it is interesting to see that encounter.
Will make my predicts one week before the fight night.

Its going to be an interesting fight though to see whether gsp still has it takes to take the belt and shut bisping's mouth. The thing is mot all greats who went back after retirement had a successful run. I've been a log fan though of gsp and i'm hoping this run of his becomes at least worth while.

[Jating]

This is yet another big card with some interesting fights and it is back to Madison Square Garden,return of GSP is the focal point and i would like to see him face McGregor after this fight,Bisping is a tough opponent and it is really interesting to see whether we will see Anderson and GSP too as that was one fight i was looking for a very long time and now Anderson is not in his prime yet it is interesting to see that encounter.
Will make my predicts one week before the fight night.

Its going to be an interesting fight though to see whether gsp still has it takes to take the belt and shut bisping's mouth. The thing is mot all greats who went back after retirement had a successful run. I've been a log fan though of gsp and i'm hoping this run of his becomes at least worth while.

Yes, its really interesting to see if GSP has still what it takes to have a belt around his waist again. He retired on top and citing reasons that he doesn't have that fire inside of him to fight. But now he comebacks and its gonna be interesting to see the old GSP once more. I'm not a fan though because his fights always ended in a decision and that time his decision is weak that's why he totally dominated it. Plus we didn't given the chance to see him go against Anderson Silva in their prime.

[bbc.reporter]

@Jating. George will win this. Michael Bisping is a big talker but George has the skills. Go to all the sportsbooks and look at the odds. There is a good rationale why they think George is the favorite.

If Michael wins, it will be because of luck or an error by George, like in Michael's fight versus Luke Rockhold.

[LuanX3]

I think bisping is going to get beat up pretty bad by GSP in this fight. Bisping is a pussy by the way. He would have lost to even to Soldier of God (yeah love his name!) if he faced him. But mr. Scaredy cat backed out because of an "injury." Though problem here is that GSP has been out of the octagon for too long and we'll have to see what he does in the fight.