On the eve of his biggest UFC contest to date, world middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has received a ringing endorsement from the greatest fighter of all time.

Georges St-Pierre was full of praise for the 27-year-old Australian, who trained with him in Montreal in the past.

"He's a great example and a perfect role model for the sport of mixed martial arts - and you cannot have a better ambassador for the sport. You guys have the dream guy coming from Australia to represent you."

St-Pierre is MMA royalty - losing just twice in 28 professional fights and holding the record for most ever wins in the UFC, along with Michael Bisping, who he beat for the middleweight title last year before vacating due to injury.

"Robert Whittaker, for me, he's someone that I've trained with in the past - he's a nice guy, and I wish him the best of luck this weekend. I'll be cheering for him."