Georges St. Pierre Addresses Michael Bisping’s Challenge for Bout at UFC 206

It doesn’t appear that a Georges St. Pierre-Michael Bisping showdown will come to fruition at UFC 206.

On Tuesday evening, the middleweight champion took to Twitter to attempt to persuade St. Pierre into taking the fight. In that social media discussion, “The Count” claimed that the bout had been offered to him, and he had verbally agreed to take it.

@GeorgesStPierre, we all want more money. But let's go,sign the papers.Give the people of Toronto what they want, be a hero! Let's go champ!

— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2016

@daStockguy23 always down when it's been offered. I'm in SIGN THE PAPERS, let's go champ!

— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2016

@moneyismatt @daStockguy23 I verbally agreed

— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2016

They've been negotiating this fight for the last few days. #letsgochamp https://t.co/lltcEaJ8zz

— michael (@bisping) October 26, 2016

St. Pierre, who recently declared himself a free agent, responded to Bisping on Wednesday.

“Nothing would make me happier in the world than to fight you in Toronto, Michael,” St. Pierre said. “Last week I met with [new owner Ari Emanuel] and I made peace with [UFC President Dana White]. I tried to resolve things, but unfortunately right now it’s not happening. Hopefully things will change soon.”

Message to Michael @Bisping pic.twitter.com/coe1zBuvXj

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) October 26, 2016

St. Pierre announced his intention to come out of retirement earlier this year but added that his return was contingent upon negotiations with the Las Vegas-based promotion. Thus far, it doesn’t seem as though significant progress has been made. “Rush” hasn’t fought since defeating Johny Hendricks via split decision at UFC 167 in November 2013.

Bisping, meanwhile, is coming off a hard-fought split verdict over Dan Henderson in a rematch at UFC 204 on Oct. 8, his fifth straight win in the Octagon.

As it stands now, UFC 206 will be headlined by a light heavyweight championship clash between Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson. The card takes place at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Dec. 10 and airs via pay-per-view.