UFC 217 preview: The historic numbers behind Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre

(This story was originally published on Oct. 31, 2017.)

Eight months after their fight was first announced, Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre will finally share the octagon tonight in the UFC 217 headliner, which takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with a pay-per-view main card following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Bisping (30-7 MMA, 20-7 UFC) will attempt to make his second consecutive UFC middleweight title defense when he welcomes former longtime welterweight champ St-Pierre (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) back to competition from a nearly four-year hiatus. The matchup pits two athletes with a combined 50 fights of UFC experience against each other, a record for a championship bout.

“The Count” and “Rush” have two of the most storied resumes in UFC history. Regardless of the result, both men will leave a legacy behind in the promotion, but a win would greatly enhance that profile. Check below to see the numbers Bisping and St-Pierre bring into UFC 217, and what’s on the line for both.

General statistics

Michael Bisping

Bisping competes in his 28th UFC bout, tied with Jim Miller for most appearances in company history. His 23rd UFC middleweight fight marks a new record for most in divisional history.

Bisping makes his 13th UFC main-event appearance (8-4 in previous headliners). He’s been main or co-main event in 21 of his 28 UFC appearances (including UFC 217).

Bisping’s total cage time of 5:48:40 in UFC competition is second most in company history behind Frankie Edgar (6:27:49).

Bisping’s 20 victories in UFC competition are most in company history.

Bisping’s 16 victories in UFC middleweight competition are most in divisional history.

Bisping’s current five-fight UFC winning streak is the longest of his more than 11-year tenure with the organization.

Michael Bisping

Bisping’s five-fight UFC winning streak in middleweight competition is the second longest active streak in the division behind interim champ Robert Whittaker (seven).

Bisping’s 10 knockout victories in UFC competition are tied for fourth most in company history behind Vitor Belfort (12), Anthony Johnson (11) and Anderson Silva (11).

Bisping’s seven knockout victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Silva (eight).

Bisping’s seven stoppage victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Silva (11), Chris Leben (nine) and Nate Marquardt (nine).

Bisping’s 10 decision victories in UFC competition are tied for fourth most in company history behind St-Pierre (12), Diego Sanchez (11) and Gleison Tibau (11).

Georges St-Pierre

St-Pierre returns to competition for the first time since UFC 167 in November 2013. The 1,449-day layoff (nearly four years) is the longest of his career.

St-Pierre competes in the middleweight division for the first time in his 28-fight career.

St-Pierre’s total fight time of 5:28:12 in UFC welterweight competition is the most in divisional history.

St-Pierre’s 19 victories in UFC competition are tied with Donald Cerrone and Demian Maia for second most in history behind Bisping (20).

St-Pierre’s 12-fight UFC winning streak is second longest among active fighters in the company behind flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson (13). He hasn’t suffered a defeat since April 2007.

St-Pierre’s 12-fight UFC winning streak is fourth longest in company history behind Silva (16), Demetrious Johnson (13) and Jon Jones (13).

St-Pierre’s 12 decision victories in UFC competition are most in company history.

Championship statistics

Michael Bisping

Bisping won the middleweight championship from Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 in his 26th UFC appearance, the latest into a career of any first-time titleholder in company history.

Bisping is one of six European-born champions in UFC history. He’s the only from England.

Bisping’s one of five fighters in UFC history to win “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series and an undisputed UFC title. Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Matt Serra and Carla Esparza also accomplished the feat.

Bisping is the only fighter in UFC history to win “TUF,” a UFC championship and make a successful title defense.

Georges St-Pierre

St-Pierre can become the fourth fighter in UFC history to win championships in two weight classes. Randy Couture, B.J. Penn and Conor McGregor have also accomplished the feat.

St-Pierre competes in his 15th UFC championship fight, tied with Couture for most in company history.

St-Pierre’s 12 victories in UFC championship fights are tied with Johnson for the most in company history.

St-Pierre’s nine consecutive UFC title defenses before relinquishing the belt represent the third longest defense streak in company history behind Johnson (11) and Silva (10).

St-Pierre’s title reign of 2,064 days is second longest in UFC history behind Silva (2,457 days).

St-Pierre is one of two Canadian fighters to win a UFC championship. Carlos Newton also accomplished the feat.

St-Pierre is one of seven fighters in UFC history to become a two time undisputed champion in a single weight class. Couture, Tim Sylvia, Cain Velasquez, Matt Hughes, Jose Aldo and Dominick Cruz also accomplished the feat.

In-fight statistics

Michael Bisping

Bisping has landed 1,533 significant strikes in UFC competition, the most in company history.

Bisping is one of three fighters in UFC history to record 100 or more significant strikes in five separate bouts. T.J. Dillashaw and Joanna Jedrzejczyk also accomplished the feat.

Bisping’s 210 leg kicks landed in UFC middleweight competition are the most in divisional history.

Bisping’s five knockdowns landed from the clinch position in UFC competition are the second most in company history behind Silva (seven).

St-Pierre has landed 2,523 total strikes in UFC competition, the most in company history.

St-Pierre defends 73 percent of all opponent significant strike attempts in UFC competition, the second highest rate in company history behind Jon Madsen (81.4 percent).

Georges St-Pierre

St-Pierre’s 84 takedowns landed in UFC competition are most in company history.

St-Pierre lands 73.7 percent of all takedown attempts in UFC competition, the second highest rate in company history behind Robbie Lawler (76.2 percent).

St-Pierre’s total control time of 2:35:57 in UFC fights is the most in company history.

St-Pierre has gone 175 consecutive minutes of winning cage time without a stoppage, the longest stretch among active UFC fighters.

St-Pierre has attempted 23 submissions in UFC welterweight fights, the third most in divisional history behind Chris Lytle (31) and Matt Brown (24).

For more on UFC 217, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

FightMetric research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.