UFC 221 title unification fight with Robert Whittaker depends on 'how Georges St-Pierre is doing'

While the plan for UFC 221 in Perth is a middleweight title unification bout between Georges St-Pierre and Robert Whittaker, it all depends on the former, according to Dave Shaw.

St-Pierre became just the fourth fighter to win a title in different divisions after he returned from a four-year hiatus to submit Michael Bisping on 4 November at UFC 217 and become the middleweight champion.

The French-Canadian is expected to face Whittaker next who became the interim middleweight champion back in June, but could not fight former champion Bisping due to injury.

Now fully fit, "The Reaper" would love the opportunity to face his idol "GSP" in his home country on 11 February but is willing to wait for the French-Canadian.

St-Pierre, on the other hand, has not been as receptive to a fight with the Australian, as he seems to prefer dropping back down to the welterweight division.

Shaw, the UFC's vice-president of international content, revealed that there is no news on a title unification fight but that Whittaker fighting in Perth has to happen.

"No news yet," Shaw told MMAjunkie. "I think, as you guys know, the X factor right now is how Georges is doing."

"Listen, bottom line is that we want to have Robbie fight in Perth. The stars are sort of aligning for that event, having a pay-per-view there.

"We want to blow it out of the water and make it a very significant event and make a real impact – not only for Western Australians but for Australian fans all over the country."

As to whether a title fight could happen, Shaw reiterated that there was no update but added that it depends on St-Pierre and whether he is ready to return to the octagon after a three-month layoff.

"It's probably going to come down to Georges," Shaw explained. "Three months for anybody is a quick turnaround, so if we an line up that fight, that'd be amazing."

"But there's no real update at this point."