UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping will be defending his title later this year against former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre.
The British import recently recalled the first time he met fellow UFC fighter Nate Diaz, which happened a few years ago.
“The first time I met Nate Diaz, I was in Denver. There was a UFC event there and I was in for fight week doing some stuff. I was scheduled to fight Jason 'Mayhem' Miller, we were in Denver promoting the fight. I was in the elevator and Nick Diaz - sorry, Nate Diaz - walks in. I’m like 'Hey Nate, how you doing' and we shake hands briefly,” Bisping said on Believe You Me.
Bisping wound up defeating Jason Miller at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale in December 2011.
However, the first meeting between Bisping and Diaz in the elevator doesn’t end there, as the Stockton native gave Bisping some words of inspiration.
“No conversation, it was just one of those elevator rides, there was a few other people in there so everyone is standing there, kind of looking at the ceiling or whatever, waiting for the ride to pass. And then the doors open. Nate gets out, and just as the doors are shutting, he leans back in and goes 'Oh, I forgot man. F—k Miller!' and puts the two fingers up and walks off. And I just thought that was hilarious, it was great. I just thought 'Okay, I like this guy. He's cool,’” says Bisping.
While Bisping has yet to fight either of the Diaz brothers, the middleweight champion's future opponent in Georges St. Pierre has defeated Nick Diaz.