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10/03/10 - Bisping: "All the pressure is on GSP"
“All the pressure is on GSP,” says top British middleweight Michael Bisping of his countryman Dan Hardy’s forthcoming challenge for the French-Canadian’s welterweight title belt. Nottingham-born Hardy will become the first Briton to challenge for a UFC world championship when the fight takes place in New Jersey on March 27.
“Dan’s in a great position. All the pressure is on GSP for this fight. I’ve been friends with Dan for years and I am very happy he’s earned this chance. I know Dan’s a consumate professional and I know from the UK scene he’s come up with a great gameplan to bring the UFC welterweight title back to England,” he said today. “I will be up late, and cheering Dan of for sure.”
“He knows he’s the underdog, but every welterweight on the planet is the underdog against GSP right now. Dan is a very good striker, he has that edge over GSP, but Dan’s best weapon is his belief in himself. He won’t beat himself before the fight starts and even if GSP starts taking him down and things don’t go to plan, Dan won’t crumble psychologically.”
Hardy has also referred to his own mental strength as an advantage and at the same time suggested that St. Pierre’s confidence will crack, as he faces the pressure of expectation. But what of the physical battle? Bisping sees Hardy’s advantages being on the feet, St. Pierre’s on the floor.
“He’s not going to out-grapple GSP, we all know that. But he’s got an advantage on the feet and his a very hurtful puncher. GSP’s real talent is his MMA, mixing it up, going from wrestling to BJJ, to striking and back again as fast as anyone in the sport. GSP isn’t afraid to stand with anyone. I don’t agree with this theory he won’t stand with Dan, but of course it is in his interests to take this to the ground where he has the advantage,” he said.
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