MICHAEL Bisping believes he is in the shape of his life as he prepares for his UFC middleweight title defence against the returning Georges St-Pierre tonight.

The Clitheroe ace takes on the Canadian former welterweight champion in Madison Square Garden in New York and is confident he can overcome the threat posed by a man two years his junior who has come out of retirement and stepped up to middleweight for the first time in his career to take the bout.

St-Pierre has stated in the build up that his ‘terrifying’ grappling and wrestling game can get the better of Bisping but the East Lancashire man believes he is ready.

“For Georges to use the word terrifying about himself is the most laughable thing I’ve ever heard,” said 38-year-old Bisping.

“Georges is a very technical guy but there’s nothing terrifying about him in the slightest. There’s nothing remotely scary about him whatsoever. Now, do I respect his wrestling credentials? Of course I do. That’s why I’ve brought in way better wrestling coaches.

“These guys were throwing me around - they were tossing me on my head left, right, and centre. But guess what? They’re not tossing me on my head anymore.

“If Georges can beat me, raise his hand and say well done. I’ve got no injuries. I’ve had the best camp of my life. I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m knocking out sparring partners every single sparring session. People are dropping like flies, and Georges St-Pierre will be the next one to get dropped.”

There has been plenty of trash talk on both sides in the lead up to the fight but Bisping insists he does respect his opponent, just not in fight week.

“I’ve definitely got under his skin,” he added. “I like Georges. Georges is a great guy. Georges is a fantastic ambassador for mixed martial arts.

“I’ve got nothing negative to say about him other than the fact we’re going to fight. So, he’s going to try and knock me out or choke me out or whatever it may be in front of the world. So right now, he’s my enemy. Once this is done, I like Georges, I respect him, but all’s fair in love and war.”

Should Bisping prevail he would extend his winning streak to six and further cement himself as a legend of the sport, but legacy is not something he is focussing on right now.

He said: “That’s not what I’m concerned about for this fight.

“Obviously, I want to defend the belt. I want to remain the champion. I want to represent my country, and I want to perform for everyone that tunes in and watches. If I get more respect afterwards, that’s all well and good. That’s fine.”

Bisping is keen to return to home shores and fight in England before he retires with a possible bout in Manchester likely to command huge attention in the UK as well as Stateside.

And the East Lancashire fighter says being a flag-bearer of the sport in his homeland is one of the biggest achievements of his career.

“Without a shadow of a doubt,” he said. “I don’t really try to think about those things too much. I don’t try and think what I’ve accomplished and what not, but if I sit back and think about it, I’ve always been proud to represent England.

“Being the first world champion from Britain, that’s something I’m very proud of.

“The UK MMA scene is booming. We have tremendous fighting talent and we have a solid presence now, of course, on the more localised UFC shows, we see great talent on display all the time. And it’s just going to get better and better.

“England has a steep history in combat sports, of course, with the heavyweight boxing scene.

“The British heavyweight boxing scene is the best it’s ever been right now. It’s absolutely thriving and similar with MMA.

“I’m just proud to be a part of it and representing the country.”