• UFC 111

Hardy's built a 'great game plan' to beat GSP - Bisping

Michael Bisping will be 'staying up to watch' Dan Hardy's title fight on March 27 © Getty Images

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Michael Bisping has been keeping a close eye on Dan Hardy's preparations for his title fight with Georges St-Pierre, and he revealed on Wednesday that The Outlaw has drawn up a "great game plan" to beat the champion at UFC 111.

Bisping's sources within the Hardy camp are already talking about a master plan that will knock St-Pierre off his welterweight perch, a game plan that will involve throwing plenty of strikes. Hardy is determined not to adopt the same cautious approach that got Thiago Alves into trouble against GSP at UFC 100, and he has already promised Espn.co.uk that he will be throwing plenty when the fight is vertical.

The confidence oozing out of Hardy's Team Rough House gym in the build-up to the March 27 showdown suggests they believe they have identified a weakness in St-Pierre that others have yet to find, and Bisping confirms Hardy has every reason to feel confident.

"I know Dan's a consummate professional and I know from the UK scene he's come up with a great game plan to bring the UFC welterweight title back to England," said Bisping.

"Dan's in a great position. All the pressure is on GSP for this fight. I've been friends with Dan for years and I am very happy he's earned this chance.

"He knows he's the underdog, but every welterweight on the planet is the underdog against GSP right now. Dan is a very good striker, he has that edge over GSP, but Dan's best weapon is his belief in himself. He won't beat himself before the fight starts and even if GSP starts taking him down and things don't go to plan, Dan won't crumble psychologically."

In anticipation of their UFC 111 showdown, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and challenger Dan Hardy will be featured in "UFC Primetime," a three-part special that airs on ESPN from this Saturday night. Episode 1 airs at 12:30am, with the second and third shows following over the next two weekends.

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