• UFC 158

GSP v Diaz & Ellenberger v Hendricks set for UFC 158

Georges St-Pierre is coming off a win over Carlos Condit © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Condit: MacDonald's obsession 'a little odd'
  
• News: Bisping 'probably' gets title shot with win over Belfort
  
• News: Nelson nails Mitrione as Smith dominates Ricci
  
• Profile: Georges St-Pierre

The UFC announced arguably the most stacked main card of all time on Saturday night, headlined by Georges St-Pierre's welterweight title defence against Nick Diaz at UFC 158.

Supporting that 170lb showdown - which has been long in the making, Canadian sensation Rory MacDonald rematches former No. 1 contender Carlos Condit, while the Juggernaut Jake Ellenberger meets current No. 1 contender Johny Hendricks.

The St-Pierre v Diaz bout was recently hinted at by president Dana White, who acknowledges Diaz is undeserving of the collision, given that he is coming off a suspension and defeat.

White said the bout was to be made on the wishes of St-Pierre, who asked the UFC for an opponent for the first time in his career. St-Pierre v Diaz has been scheduled in the past, only to be cancelled due to the poor media showings of the challenger.

"For me right now, it's the fight that makes the most sense," St-Pierre said. "If I fight Anderson [Silva], I have to move up in weight. It will take me time. I cannot fight Anderson in March, so right now I'm fighting who's most logical.

"I hope [Nick's] not going to do something crazy before our fight because I don't want to train all that time for nothing. I think Nick Diaz is a smart guy. It's a big-money fight for him, and it's the chance of his lifetime."

Should GSP beat Diaz, the likelihood is he will then fight Hendricks, if Hendricks can get past Jake Ellenberger. Widely regarded as the true No. 1 contender, Hendricks is on a five-fight win streak, but Ellenberger recently called him out - promising to quit the UFC if he is defeated.

St-Pierre said of Hendricks: "I believe he deserves it, but like I said, I can't split myself in pieces. It's a big fight with Diaz. People want to see the fight with Diaz. Hendricks will come. The time will come, but now is the time for Nick Diaz."

MacDonald v Condit was already known to be heading for the March 16 card, after MacDonald called out the Natural Born Killer following victory over BJ Penn. Condit is the only man to have beaten the youngster, who said he was "embarrassed" by the loss.

Also on the card, Alessio Sakara will meet Patrick Cote in a rematch of their Montreal collision, when Sakara's victory was called a disqualification for several ugly blows to the back of the head.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.