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If UFC interim middleweight champion Robert Whittaker gets the next crack at Georges St-Pierre, he feels good about his chances.

St-Pierre, making his return after four years away from the sport, choked out Michael Bisping in the UFC 217 pay-per-view headliner to become the new middleweight champion Saturday in New York.

The outcome was somewhat of a surprise to Whittaker (19-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who admitted that he picked Bisping (30-8 MMA, 20-8 UFC) to defeat St-Pierre (26-2 MMA, 20-2 UFC). With UFC 217 now out of the way, the stage could be set for Whittaker and St-Pierre to unify the title.

And if that happens, Whittaker likes his chances based on what he saw while sitting cageside at Madison Square Garden.

“To be honest, he looked slower than he’s ever been,” Whittaker said of St. Pierre’s performance, according to Australian website news.com.au. “He’s just as crafty. You can see the intelligence is still there. His fight IQ is still there. He obviously hits harder at middleweight.

“But I hit hard, and I hit fast — and much harder and faster than Bisping. And I have much better defense than Bisping. So it looks good.”

Whittaker became the interim champion after winning a unanimous decision over Yoel Romero in a five-round “Fight of the Night” in July at UFC 213.

There’s no guarantee St-Pierre will stay in the division after claiming the belt from Bisping. Although UFC President Dana White said Whittaker would be his next opponent, it at least seems possible GSP could decide to go after welterweight champion Tyron Woodley to reclaim the belt he never lost before retiring in 2013. Talk of super fight with UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor also has been floated around.

But still, Whittaker is at least in the conversation to land a showdown with St-Pierre, who said before UFC 217 that he was contractually obligated for at least another middleweight fight. And if that happens, Whittaker will be at least a little star struck by the opportunity.

“I can’t even put it into words,” Whittaker said. “I was a massive fan of him when I was younger — and when I was at welterweight, as well. Every welterweight in the world aspired to become something like him. If I got the privilege of fighting him? Man, dream come true.”

The ideal scenario for the Australian would be if the promotion booked he and St-Pierre for UFC 221, which takes place Feb. 18 at Perth Arena in Perth, Australia. If not, then Whittaker is willing to wait to make his dream of fighting St-Pierre a reality.

“I’m happy to wait,” Whittaker said. “Fighting a legend like that is worth the time. My wants have to go on the back seat a bit for him. He’s a living legend, and in respect I’ll do that. But if he’s going to hang around at middleweight we’ll touch gloves eventually. I’m confident.”

For complete coverage of UFC 217, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

Filed under: Featured, News, UFC