LAS VEGAS — Georges St. Pierre stepped back onto the UFC stage for the first time in over three years on Friday and he could barely contain his excitement.

The longtime welterweight champion was in Vegas to promote his fight with middleweight champion Michael Bisping and explained why he was choosing to come back and fight a bigger man in a weight class in which he’s never competed.

“My training partners are all convinced I’m a better version than I was when I used to compete,” St. Pierre said.

“I believe right now I’ve reached the perfect peak of athleticism, knowledge and wisdom as a fighter and I’m going to prove it to everyone.”

St. Pierre was greeted by a belligerent Bisping, who showed up late and then came out swinging verbally. The Englishman called out St. Pierre for, among other things, leaving the sport for more than three years and for being a boring fighter.

St. Pierre wasn’t impressed and explained that the GSP who returns to the octagon this summer — the date is still being figured out — will be an entirely different animal than the one who vacated the welterweight belt in 2013.

“I’m not going to be the old GSP,” he said, “if I come back as the same Georges St. Pierre I used to be when I was very successful, I’m going to have a very bad night.”

Immediately after the press conference, St. Pierre (GSP) sat down for an exclusive interview with Postmedia (PM) to chat about everything surrounding the Bisping fight:

Postmedia: So Georges, welcome back. What have the last couple days been like since your return to the UFC was announced?

St. Pierre: I’m very happy and I feel like I just got out of a tornado, I’m back for real now. We’ll see what’s going to happen, I’m very happy.

PM: You probably had an idea that with Bisping, there was going to be some trash talk, right?

GSP: Yeah, he talks trash and he’s arrogant. He’s not the best trash talker in the UFC and he says a lot of nonsense, but you know, it is what it is. I’m picking my fight, I’m not just good at trash talking, I do what I do in the octagon and do my talking with my fists.

PM: The trash talking does add to the build-up of the fight, though, was that part of why you chose Bisping as an opponent?

GSP: Yeah, I’ll let him focus on the trash talk and I’ll focus on the fight.

PM: You’ve done everything in the sport, but Bisping is a bigger man, how does the size factor into how this fight goes?

GSP: It’s a difference in size, but I think skills are on my side and fighting IQ is on my side.

PM: The UFC has a sponsorship deal with Reebok and you’ve been sponsored by Under Armour for many years. Do you still have a relationship with Under Armour?

GSP: Yeah, of course, I’m with Under Armour. I’m Under Armour for sure.

PM: And are you still involved with the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association? (An attempt to unionize fighters that St. Pierre prominently endorsed.)

GSP: I’m always going to be, yes I am. I’m always going to be for the fighters, and the MMAAA is not a bad thing, I think it will help the UFC in the long run and help the fighters.

PM: You’ve always been someone who has spoken his mind, and you and (UFC president Dana White) have had your issues, how is your relationship with him at this point?

GSP: I’m good with him, there’s no problems. I’m good, there’s nothing wrong with it. I’m just shaken by the press conference but I’m ready to go.

PM: So you are shaken up by the press conference?

GSP: Yeah, I’m back, but that’s what I want. I’m happy.

PM: You’re such a huge star in Canada, and I know you’re not going to reveal all your plans, but would you like to fight in Canada again?

GSP: That’s not my choice, it’s going to be the same octagon. Wherever it is, I’ll be there.

PM: Bisping is going to say that you’re just going to go in there and wrestle, but you’ve been working with (famed boxing trainer) Freddie Roach. Should we expect a GSP who comes out boxing?

GSP: We’ll see what’s going to happen, I’m better than him at everything he does. The only thing he has is that he’s bigger. I’m quicker, faster, I’m more well-rounded. I’ve got a higher fighting IQ than he does and I’m going to show it to everybody.

PM: And let’s be honest, you’ve heard it all before from guys like Bisping.

GSP: I wish he would have come out with a different song, but it’s the same thing. Oh, I’m not a real fighter, I’m just athletic and a good athlete, but he’ll see.

daustin@postmedia.com