Georges St. Pierre books UFC comeback fight vs. champ Bisping

MMA Fighter Georges St. Pierre. AFP file photo

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA—Longtime UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre will return to the octagon against current middleweight champion Michael Bisping.

The UFC announced the matchup Wednesday. The mixed martial arts promotion hasn’t settled on a date or a venue, but said it will be in “the second half of 2017.”

St. Pierre is still among the biggest stars in MMA even though he hasn’t fought in nearly 3 1/2 years. The 35-year-old Canadian announced his return to the UFC last month.

He made nine consecutive 170-pound title defenses before walking away after a split-decision win over Johny Hendricks.

In his return, St. Pierre will attempt to take the 185-pound belt from Bisping. The English veteran won the title in an upset of Luke Rockhold last year, and he defended it by beating Dan Henderson.