First off, this could be a negotiating tactic. GSP, like everyone else, knows UFC sold for $4B & they're short on superstars. There are a few possibilities: GSP's trying to get more $$$ for a risky fight against Whittaker. Maybe he's chasing the biggest payday of his career against Conor. Or, middleweight was always meant to be a 1-time deal with a favorable match-up & he always planned to go back down to 170.
Although most of us would favor Whittaker, I wouldn't be so quick to count out GSP. A lot of us thought Bisping would win & expected GSP to lose, especially after a 4 year absence. Whittaker would be a tough fight, but with GSP's wrestling & ground game, a win is in the realm of possibility. I don't think he's scared of Bobby Kunckles, but he does know it's a risky match up.
And as much as I love Whittaker, the UFC hasn't done shit to promote him. Can't understand why. He's a good looking dude who speaks English. He seems friendly as fuck & comes off as a 'bow to your Sensei' kind of guy.
If the idiots at WME had any sense, they would abandon the whole trash-talking thing Conor, Bisping, Cody, & Joanna brought to the table. They have stoic, respectful champs & contenders like Whittaker, Stipe, Rose, GSP, Ngannou, Holly, etc. Try promoting fighters who are respectful rather than just pushing the loudmouths & pretty blondes.
As for BLAF, fuck him & fuck WME. That's what happens when you have no imagination & chase short term gains. They let Conor & Bisping pick their own fights, now other champs want to play the same game. They put all their eggs in a big blonde basket, & it backfired.
BLAF let Conor fight for the lightweight belt without ever defending his featherweight title. Now he wants to cry about GSP pulling the same shit? Fuck you, fuckface. You reap what you sow.
