Robert Whittaker leaning toward Michael Bisping to defeat Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217

Remember when Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White said Georges St-Pierre wouldn’t stand in the way of Robert Whittaker’s shot a unifying the Middleweight titles against Michael Bisping?

We all know how well that promise worked out.

But, if you think Whittaker is upset at the confirmed match up — which is set to go down on Nov. 4, 2017 in New York City — think again, as “The Reaper” says it all actually works out in his favor due to his bum knee that will sideline him until 2018.

“It’s worked in my favour with that fight being scheduled,” Whittaker told Fox Sports Australia. “I have to fight Michael (as the current champion) — there’s no one I also can fight — so with that, the earliest I can realistically fight is early next year anyway,” added Robert.

“They (the UFC) knew I couldn’t fight until early next year and Michael wanted that fight with Georges really badly,” Whittaker said. “So to me it’s perfect and there’s no guarantees what’s going to happen. I’m happy to fight Georges as much as I am to fight Bisping,” he added.

If the Aussie had his way, he face the winner of the bout in his homeland.

“I’d love to fight in Australia, whoever it is I face, but stylistically they’re both tough dudes and they’re both tough fights so I’m happy with both match-ups. Georges is a well-accomplished fighter and one of the best ever but this isn’t his division,” Whittaker said of the three-time former welterweight champ.

At the end of the day, though, “The Reaper” thinks “The Count” has what it takes to defeat the former longtime Welterweight champion of the world when they collide inside Madison Square garden in New York.

“Michael is a tough. If I had to lean one way or the other I’d probably lean towards Michael. I think he’s got what takes to get it over him.”

Either way, Whittaker will be ready to face the winner, and he

“I really don’t care what anybody in the division does, as long as it doesn’t get in my way, you know what I mean?,” Whittaker said. “Michael fighting George doesn’t impede my end destination in any way. Regardless of who comes out of the fight on top, I’ll fight them and I really am happy with both.”