Famed boxing coach Freddie Roach has confirmed that he will be in Georges St-Pierre’s corner for his upcoming fight with middleweight champion Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in NYC on November.
“I’m going to be heading up to Montreal pretty soon,” the 52-year-old told Fight Hub. “For six weeks, I’ll spend 3 days a week in Montreal, and 4 days here. He wants me in the corner. He wants me in the ring, in between rounds, and I said no problem.”
“He’s in with a big tough guy, and it should be action packed. I’m excited with my first UFC fight.”
Roach has already begun training with the former welterweight champion at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood and says that the 35-year-old superstar is “doing really well,” and packs more of a punch now at middleweight than he did when he previously worked with him during his run at 170lbs.
“He’s getting better and better. He’s a little bigger, a little stronger than he has been in the past because this fight is going to be in a higher weight class. He has a little more weight on him, and he punches with a lot more power.”
By his own admission Roach is not well versed in MMA, having spent his entire fighting and coaching career in the squared circle, but having watched tape on Bisping he knows he’s not a man to be underestimated.
“(Bisping) is a tough guy. He comes to fight. I don’t think he’s the best athlete in the world. I think Georges is a much better athlete, and I think that will be the difference in the fight. His athleticism will take him through the fight.
“But it’s not going to be easy though, that’s for sure. The first round, I’m a little worried, because Georges is always a little bit stiff in the first round. Then he gets into the fight as the rounds go on. So early, I’m a little bit worried but I’ll warm him up really good in the dressing room.”
