Mar 3, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Dana White (middle) stands between Michael Bisping (left) and Georges St-Pierre (right) during a press conference to promote their about prior to weigh ins for UFC 209 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

UFC middleweight champ Michael Bisping’s head coach Jason Parillo dropped a hint at the date for their fight against Georges St-Pierre

When the middleweight title fight between Michael Bisping and the returning Georges St-Pierre was announced, fight fans could hardly contain their excitement at the thought of the two UFC veterans locking horns inside the Octagon.

With Bisping’s trademark trash talking on display during their first press conference together in Las Vegas, the hype surrounding the bout became palpable. But with no date or venue for their fight official yet, fans began to wonder why Bisping was hostile so early into their media responsibilities

But Bisping’s head coach Jason Parillo, this was exactly what he expected

“It really depends on where we’re at as far as time,” said Parillo during a recent appearance on The Extra Rounds Podcast. “We’re looking at a fight that’s not going to happen for four months. And we’re looking at Michael Bisping who goes out and likes to have a really good time in Las Vegas. In all honesty, that’s how Mike has always been.”

Today! We talk UFC 209 and Michael Bisping's coach Jason Parillo calls in. Posted by Sports Illustrated MMA on Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Given the fact UFC officials have yet to announce a date or venue for the title fight, Parillo dropping a hint as to the fight being four months away most certainly stands out.

Looking at the UFC’s current schedule of events, and given the magnitude of the fight, this would mean UFC officials are targeting either UFC 213 on July 8 in Las Vegas or UFC 214 on July 29 in Anaheim.

The most logical of the two matchups would most certainly be UFC 213, since it is the culmination of this year’s International Fight Week, which has been built around marquee fights such as Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman and Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes. However, in the past Bisping has stated the UFC asked him to fight Yoel Romero at UFC 208 in Anaheim earlier in year. But after Bisping requested more time off to recover from his most recent title defense, the event was scrapped entirely and the Anaheim date was rescheduled to late July.

But following their heated exchange at the press event, the fight can’t come soon enough. Right off the bat, Bisping arrived on the scene nearly 20 minutes late, with his trademark smirk in tow, much to the chagrin of UFC President Dana White and St-Pierre.

Without missing a beat, Bisping took the mic and unleashed a barrage of venom aimed at the St-Pierre, who could only shake his head and laugh. While many questioned whether Bisping was simply enjoying his time in Vegas a little too much, Parillo chalked it up to his Michael Bisping just being Michael Bisping.

“I heard some interview GSP talking about ‘why are you so mad?’ Trying to figure out why he is so angry,” said Parillo. “This, what he’s doing right now, actually makes him happy. That’s the confusing part. Mike is a fighter. I’m a coach now and a little bit older. Everyone uses different things to get them motivated and everybody talks shit a little different. One of the greatest shit talkers in the day was Muhammad Ali, he definitely talked a lot of shit to people but he did it in a different way.

“This weekend I can laugh off because Mike was just having a good time. The intensity behind it was probably intensified by a fun weekend in Vegas.”

St-Pierre (25-2) has not competed since defending his 170-pound title against Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November 2013. This victory marked the his ninth consecutive title defense and 19th total win under the UFC banner. However, immediately after his win, “Rush” announced he would be taking an indefinite hiatus from competition. Now, more than three years later, St-Pierre is ready to return.

The French-Canadian holds several UFC records including the most wins in title fights (12), second most consecutive title defenses (9), second most wins (19), most wins by decision (12), most successful title defenses in the UFC welterweight division (9), second longest combined title streak in UFC history (2,204 days) and the most consecutive title defenses in the welterweight division (9). Always the gentleman, St-Pierre’s calm, cool and collected demeanor is essentially the opposite of the foul-mouthed Bisping, something Parillo made a note of pointing out

“As far as s–t talking, that’s what he is going to do,” said Parillo. “It got a little aggressive. And GSP too, he’s not a shit talker. It’s never been his style, He’s actually played the right political role with how he handles himself. Mike might like to have a good time with that too at the same time. This is a big fight for Mike and Mike is always down to sell a fight and you never really have to ask him because he is a fighter. He’s going to get intense every time. Go back and watch his weigh-ins, he gets intense with everyone.”

When the bout was initially announced, many among the fight community were taken by surprise that the smaller St-Pierre was moving up in weight to challenge Bisping. While both men had expressed interest in taking the fight in the past, St-Pierre had made it known he was hoping for a headlining spot on UFC 206 in Toronto this past December. However, these plans inevitably fell through after both sides couldn’t come to an agreement. As a result, St-Pierre declared he was free to test the waters as a free agent.

But after putting their difference aside and the fight finally a reality, Parillo is more than confident his fighter will have his hand raised against the former 170-pound champion.

“Absolutely, 100 percent,” said Parillo when asked if he liked the matchup. “Middleweight is a stacked division, tough division, and I’ve said it every time, Michael will fight anyone they put in front of him. Georges St-Pierre, I think this is a fight he wanted. I think his negotiations on coming back, what my thought process is on it, his eyes have always been on Michael Bisping, just like a lot of fighters’ eyes.”

“But in all reality is there a situation where Georges would have a hard time making 170 now-a-days? Maybe he trusted IVs back in the day, and I’m not saying he did and I don’t know if he did or didn’t, I’m just thinking out loud.”

In terms of UFC accomplishments, Bisping (30-7) is undoubtably one of the only fighters who can match St-Pierre’. ‘The Count’ currently holds the record for most wins in UFC history (20) while being tied for the most fights in UFC history (27) with Tito Ortiz and Frank Mir.

With his recent string of wins over Anderson Silva, Luke Rockhold and Dan Henderson, another win over a legend like St-Pierre should place Bisping on the shortlist of greatest fighters of all-time. Needless to say, Parillo saw it all coming.

“For some reason people think they can beat Michael Bisping,” said Parillo. “You got to remember, he is champion of the world. And the reason how he did that was knocking out one of the pound-for-pound top guys last year and he has beaten some incredible fights.”

But given the fact St-Pierre has not tasted defeat in 10 years, why risk the title you’d fought so hard against a man a smaller man coming off a three-year hiatus? For Parillo, the answer was simple.

“He obviously feels it’s the fight he can win,” said Parillo. “Georges feels he can win this fight and we feel we can win this fight. I think both sides are really happy about this fight. We’re extremely happy because Mike has been campaigning for a title fight for 10 years. He is older, like you said, than Georges.

“[The end] is coming, at the end of his career I don’t know what he is going to do after his next few fights. You got to set up for the future, and for the future you need money, and there is not an opponent on the planet who is going to produce more money than Georges St-Pierre.