Firas Zahabi defends GSP from Bisping's steroid allegations – then compliments champ

MONTREAL – Firas Zahabi has heard plenty of steroid allegations directed at Georges St-Pierre over the course of their storied relationship. So when Michael Bisping threw out some of his own accusations in the lead-up to the UFC 217, it didn’t bother the Tristar Gym head coach.

Although he now says the French-Canadian is clean, Bisping (30-7 MMA, 20-7 UFC) has accused St-Pierre (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) of using steroids prior to his four-year hiatus from the sport at every possible opportunity. The UFC middleweight champion said he’s heard “stories” that convinced him St-Pierre used to be a dirty fighter. But St-Pierre doesn’t seemed bothered and said he doesn’t think Bisping actually believes it.

St-Pierre has been a longtime proponent of enhanced drug testing. He said the lack of a proper testing policy, which is now in place with the UFC’s U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) partnership, contributed to his decision to take a multi-year hiatus from the sport, and Zahabi said that should be all the evidence needed to prove his student’s innocence.

“(Bisping is making steroid accusations) because Georges is ripped,” Zahabi told MMAjunkie at a recent UFC 217 media day in Montreal. “About 10 to 20 percent of the population is naturally ripped. Georges just happens to be one of those people. You look at him as he was growing up, he’s just naturally ripped. He’s been tested, he’s volunteered to be tested, and he’s paid out of his own pocket to be tested and for his opponent to be tested.

“He’s never failed one single test. Just because somebody’s lean and extremely competent in fighting doesn’t mean they’re on drugs. That’s the truth.”

UFC 217 takes place Nov. 4 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. St-Pierre challenges Bisping for the 185-pound belt in the pay-per-view headliner, which follows prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Although Zahabi is willing to put his own reputation at stake to defend St-Pierre, he understands why Bisping would be skeptical. “The Count” has fought many opponents who tested positive for banned substances either before or after their bout, so he said it’s fair for Bisping to question anyone regardless of proof.

Zahabi praised Bisping for the difficult road he’s taken to the belt and the fact he’s had to overcome so many opponents who were breaking the rules. He said there’s no doubt the Brit is the best fighter in his weight class and has been for a long time; he just had to go through a more tumultuous road than most to prove it, Zahabi said.

“Bisping was always the best,” he said. “After USADA, we know he’s really the best. They weeded out a lot of possible influences on that category. Is it a coincidence that Bisping is the best after USADA? Is it a coincidence? That’s my question. I don’t think it is. Not just the drugs, but the weight-cut difference. It changed the category. Bisping has now risen to the top, so I really think he’s the best, the best middleweight. Until somebody beats him, he’s the best.”

If there’s one thing Zahabi is certain of, it’s that UFC 217’s main event will feature an even playing field. He said that despite USADA’s oversight, people in the sport are still finding wayw to cheat. But when it comes to St-Pierre and Bisping, Zahabi said it’s not a concern.

“I think personally the sport is a lot cleaner,” Zahabi said. “That’s just my opinion. I don’t have any hard facts or data or anything like that. I find it’s cleaner, but I still suspect that a lot of guys are still finding ways to work around the system.”

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