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Tag: Michael Bisping

  • Michael Bisping: Anthony Smith Will Be ‘Embarrassed’ Watching UFC 310 Fight Back, But He Shouldn’t Retire

    Michael Bisping: Anthony Smith Will Be ‘Embarrassed’ Watching UFC 310 Fight Back, But He Shouldn’t Retire

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping would like to see his podcast co-host, light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, continue his active career inside the cage.

    Smith’s latest outing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage came at last weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view, where he competed in the featured preliminary bout opposite a fellow former title challenger in Dominick Reyes.

    “Lionheart” was open during fight week about his recent struggles following the passing of a coach and friend. And the veteran was visibly emotional en route to the Octagon inside T-Mobile Arena, to the point where the commentary team questioned whether he was in the right head space to fight.

    That theory only grew stronger when Smith fell by way of a long-lasting TKO stoppage at the hands of “The Devastator,” which was followed by the defeated contender admitting fans may have seen him in action for the very last time.

    One prominent name who knows the 36-year-old well, however, doesn’t think that’s the case.

    During a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, Bisping gave his reaction to Smith’s latest setback, which leaves him 1-3 across his last four bouts.

    Similar to his thoughts on “Lionheart’s” defeat to Khalil Rountree a year ago, “The Count” suggested he was against Smith taking the fight in the first place. With that in mind, the Brit plans to share some advice to the light heavyweight if he chooses to make the walk again — something he’s expecting.

    “I don’t think he should’ve taken that fight, at all,” Bisping said (h/t Bloody Elbow). “But I don’t think he will retire. I think when he watches that back, he’s going to be embarrassed when he watches it, and it’ll inspire him to come back. The world doesn’t deserve to remember him like that.

    “Maybe it was therapeutic in some ways, but I’d like to see him fight again. … This isn’t a sport that you play, and that’s why Dana White says Chris Weidman and Clay Guida need to retire. That s*** will stay with you,” Bisping continued. “If he fights, I’m going to give him a call, and say, ‘If you do this, do it for the right reasons. Train as if you’re training for a world title fight, as if you’re going against Jon Jones. Leave no stone unturned, otherwise if you’re not willing to do that, then don’t even think about it in the first place!’”

    It remains to be seen what comes next for Smith, and if UFC 310 did indeed mark a disappointing farewell.

    Reyes, meanwhile, will look to continue his resurgence at 205 pounds next year. “The Devastator” has now won back-to-back fights since a knockout loss to Ryan Spann in late 2022 left him 0-3 post-fighting Jon Jones.

  • Michael Bisping Reveals The One Thing Ian Garry Must Avoid Or He’ll Get Finished By Shavkat Rakhmonov

    Michael Bisping Reveals The One Thing Ian Garry Must Avoid Or He’ll Get Finished By Shavkat Rakhmonov

    Ian Garry is set to make his return at UFC 310, stepping into the Octagon against fellow unbeaten contender Shavkat Rakhmonov in a highly anticipated, non-title co-main event. The bout, scheduled for five rounds, promises to test the limits of both fighters.

    Garry comes into this matchup riding the momentum of three consecutive decision victories over notable opponents: Neil Magny at UFC 292, Geoff Neal at UFC 298, and Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303. Despite this impressive streak, the stylistic challenge presented by Rakhmonov has raised questions, even among MMA analysts.

    Former UFC champion Michael Bisping has expressed admiration for Garry’s decision to accept such a tough matchup but also noted the challenges he faces. Bisping is particularly concerned about whether Garry can handle Rakhmonov’s relentless grappling and takedown attempts.

    “Ian Garry is probably going to dance around the Octagon and use the exact same game plan he did against Geoff Neal,” Bisping said. “He’s got to keep Shavkat Rakhmonov off him. If he can’t stop the takedown, he will get finished, and that is no disrespect to Ian Garry.

    “He might be able to dance around, use the reach, use the range, use the movement. Be fast, be elusive, be nice and crisp, be light on his toes, and be disciplined enough to not get involved in a brawl,” Bisping continued. “If he does that, Shavkat is going to get a hold of him. If he gets a hold of him, he’s going to get him down, and if he gets him down, it’s going to be lights out.”

    Bisping emphasized that Garry’s path to victory lies in utilizing his range, sticking and moving, and staying upright to avoid grappling exchanges with Rakhmonov.

  • Former UFC Champion Points Out Huge Difference Kai Asakura Will Have To Adapt To At UFC 310

    Former UFC Champion Points Out Huge Difference Kai Asakura Will Have To Adapt To At UFC 310

    One of the most exciting elements of the UFC’s final PPV event of 2024 is the introduction of a new superstar who is going right into a main event title fight. Kai Asakura has already become a huge name in Japan through the time he has spent in RIZIN.

    Though the 31-year old has fought some names that UFC fans will recognise, not to mention some of the acclaim he has received during his time in Japan, December 7 is when we all get to find out how he will fare in the UFC’s flyweight division when he challenges Alexandre Pantoja for the 125-pound title.

    Asakura’s highlight reel, which fans will become used to seeing in the promos for UFC 310, paints a good picture of who he is as a fighter. He does his best work on the feet and has some signature finishes to go with his striking skills.

    That then opens up the question of how he will perform when facing a very high-level grappler in Pantoja who is usually so dominant on the ground. In a recent YouTube video, UFC commentator and former champion Michael Bisping added another question mark to this debate.

    He pointed out that just like when the UFC and PRIDE fighters would crossover back in the day, fighters would have to adapt to fighting in a ring or a cage and that could be a factor in Las Vegas’ main event clash because it changes the way that you defend takedowns.

    “The big difference between PRIDE and the UFC is that they are competed in a ring and the reason why this is going to be interesting is because has he adapted his style to the UFC, has he been training in a cage? In his fights, for example his last one against Juan Archuleta, Juan Archuleta was trying to take him down. Up against the ring, under the ropes, he was sprawling and his legs were all the way past, they were right past the end of the ropes on the apron of the ring… obviously, in a cage, you can’t do that. So if you’re pushed up against it, your feet are perpendicular to your body and that makes it easier for somebody like Alexandre Pantoja to get a hold of a leg.”

  • Michael Bisping Reflects On Doing A Post-Fight Interview Right After ‘The Worst Knockout’ He’s Ever Seen

    Michael Bisping Reflects On Doing A Post-Fight Interview Right After ‘The Worst Knockout’ He’s Ever Seen

    This past weekend’s UFC Fight Night event in Macau might just have been 2024’s surprise card of the year following some incredible performances and highlight reel knockouts. Though Muslim Salikhov certainly gave it a run for its money later on in the night, a prelim fight went viral following a devastating head kick finish.

    Shi Ming was seemingly down two rounds on the scorecards in her strawweight Road to UFC final match-up against Feng Xiaocan. In the third round, she delivered the kick that ended the fight in an instant, knocking her opponent out cold which you very rarely see in this weight class.

    The incredible joy from Ming following her remarkable accomplishment and comeback was set alongside a scary moment that developed in the immediate aftermath as Xiaocan remained motionless on the canvas. She was eventually stretchered out of the Octagon and throughout the remainder of the card, UFC commentator John Gooden provided promising health updates regarding her status which put fans at ease.

    UFC hall of famer Michael Bisping was on post-fight interview duty in Macau meaning that whilst Feng was still being attended to, he needed to enter the Octagon and prepare to interview the victor. During a recent episode of his Believe You Me Podcast alongside fellow commentator Paul Felder, he spoke about this unnerving experience.

    “The legs are frozen in the air and you know what it’s like Paul, when you walk into the Octagon to interview the winner and the person that’s been knocked out is still on the ground, well this went on for about 20 minutes and they must have been filling and all kinds of stuff. I’m in there and I’m talking to security and the doctors are panicking and they’re like shouting and screaming because they don’t have too many UFC events there and this was the worst knockout I’ve ever seen. She was totally unresponsive and then they bring the stretcher in, she was still unconscious, they had to carry her away and stuff. Dude, it was one of those. I was really starting to worry.”

    Felder responded, using his own experiences to relate to Bisping despite the fact that he wasn’t part of the broadcast team this past weekend.       

    “We know that there’s high risk when you go in there but man, when you see somebody down like that and they just don’t start moving, it’s like oh my god, I don’t want to be here for this. It’s not good for business right. I mean, knockouts are great but we want everyone to get up and move on and be okay afterwards.”

  • Bisping Compares Jon Jones Dismissing Tom Aspinall To Jake Paul’s Boxing Approach

    Bisping Compares Jon Jones Dismissing Tom Aspinall To Jake Paul’s Boxing Approach

    After his latest victory, UFC heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones has once again been dismissing a clash with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, instead targeting a showdown with reigning light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.

    However, UFC CEO Dana White isn’t sold on that matchup, believing Jones has a clear advantage over Pereira. On the other hand, “Bones” has stated that a fight against Aspinall would require a significant financial incentive to entice him.

    Former UFC fighter and analyst Michael Bisping weighed in on the situation during his Believe You Me podcast, voicing concern over Jones potentially bypassing tougher challenges like Aspinall in favor of perceived easier fights.

    “My only issue is, as a man and as a fighter, him saying he doesn’t have this obligation to fight these young, up-and-coming, hungry, dangerous guys that have an ability to beat him,” Bisping said. “I don’t get that. That’s what my problem is with Jake Paul.”

    Bisping elaborated on why a Jones vs. Pereira fight might not excite fans the same way a heavyweight clash with Aspinall would.

    “Fighting guys that [Jones] knows he can beat – Alex Pereira, he has a very blatantly obvious path to victory. He just took down Stipe. He took down Ciryl Gane. He will take down Alex Pereira. Would he be able to take down Tom? That’s the question. That’s the fight. That’s what we want to see.”

    With both potential matchups offering unique narratives, the decision now lies in the hands of Jones, the UFC, and the negotiating table.

  • Bisping: Alex Pereira Convincing UFC To Sign His Former Rival Speaks Volumes

    Bisping: Alex Pereira Convincing UFC To Sign His Former Rival Speaks Volumes

    Usually it’s up the UFC matchmakers or Dana White himself to decide which talent they want to bring into the promotion. At the Apex this past Tuesday night on another episode of Contender Series, it was the promotion’s light heavyweight champion that helped make this call.

    Alex Pereira told White why he should sign his former kickboxing rival Artem Vakhitov despite the fact that he delivered a performance that wasn’t overly impressive. The elite striker did get the first round finish but he didn’t exactly blow the roof off the place either.

    “Poatan” jokingly remarked to his former opponent in a video that was posted on social media that Vakhitov now owes him one.

    Michael Bisping Gives Credit To Alex Pereira For Pushing UFC To Sign Artem Vakhitov

    Michael Bisping, who was on commentary for this episode of Contender Series, gave his thoughts on the situation in a recent YouTube video. He said that what Pereira did at the Apex shows exactly the kind of competitor that he is.

    Though Vakhitov is a long way away from getting a shot at the light heavyweight title, his history with Pereira as the last man to beat the Brazilian star in kickboxing is exactly why he’s there in the first place.

    Bisping said it should be commended how Pereira could have easily dismissed his previous opponent, knowing that he could be a threat to him at some stage. The former UFC middleweight champion also pointed out that this could be Pereira being motivated by revenge.

    “The fact that Dana asked him, ‘Hey, this guys who’s the last person to beat you,’ that might get kind of fast tracked a little bit, that might possibly get decent favorable match-ups to meet you because there’s a big storyline and he was the last person to beat you and if he stands and trades with you and plays you at your own game, he might take the title off you. Pereira could have said, ‘well it wasn’t that good was it really, I expected more.’ He could have played down the performance but no, he said he absolutely deserves a shot, gibe him a shot. I’m telling you right, that not only speaks about the type of man that he is but it also speaks about the type of competitor that he is.”

  • Bisping Sees UFC Championship Potential In Artem Vakhitov

    Bisping Sees UFC Championship Potential In Artem Vakhitov

    Artem Vakhitov wouldn’t be signed to the UFC right now if it wasn’t for the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira. The former GLORY kickboxer, who was the last man to beat “Poatan” in the sport, earned a contract on this week’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Let alone getting this opportunity if it wasn’t for the history that he has with Pereira, the champion himself convinced Dana White to give his former foe a contract after the UFC boss wasn’t overly impressed by his performance at the Apex.

    Vakhitov is still very early on in his MMA career but of course, a third fight between them taking place in MMA would be a big deal but that’s still a long way in the distance right now.

    Bisping on Artem Vakhitov’s Potential

    Vakhitov is sure to get some special treatment once he arrives into the UFC, even if he just moves through the ranks a little faster than most.

    The issue with that is that he’s not ready to compete against top contenders at light heavyweight however, a striking match between him and Pereira would suit him a lot better.

    Former UFC champion Michael Bisping gave his reaction to how this all played out during a recent YouTube video.

    “The Count” was on commentary for this episode and though he also wasn’t overwhelmed by what he saw from Vakhitov on his UFC job interview, he believes that Pereira’s former rival could make it to the top in the years to come. Acknowledging it’s going to be a long road to the top, Bisping sees the greatness.

    “ I think he could do it, I think he’s got the potential. He’s got to work on the takedown defense. he’s got to get used to the little gloves. he’s got to get used to people with offbeat rhythms, because MMA strikers are a bit different to polished kickboxers but if he can do that.

    if he can do the work and apply himself, I think he could have a very bright future and we could see that fight at some point down the line.” 

    – Michael Bisping on Vakhitov’s potential
  • Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

    Michael Bisping: Alex Pereira Is UFC’s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter

    Michael Bisping closely watched the main event of UFC 307, witnessing the masterful performance of light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira against Khalil Rountree. Rountree fought valiantly, even winning the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards, but Pereira found his rhythm and finished Rountree in the fourth round.

    Former UFC middleweight champion Bisping has been thoroughly impressed by Pereira’s dominance and sees him as UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. He pointed out Pereira’s remarkable run and his emphatic victories.

    “Pereira is going through everybody. Three title defenses in seven months and taking the world by storm. So, if you go through the top 10, it’s really hard to deny Alex Pereira is No. 1.”

    – Michael Bisping

    Bisping further emphasized that finishing opponents is a key factor in becoming the pound-for-pound best

    “To be pound-for-pound No. 1, you’ve got to be finishing people. You can’t be scraping by them with split decisions. You’ve got to do it in emphatic fashion, and I don’t think there’s anyone out there with the finishing ability of Alex Pereira. It is frightening what he can do.”

    – Michael Bisping
  • ‘Out Of 8 Billion People He Picked A Former UFC Champion To Steal From’ – Fans React To Theft Of Michael Bisping’s Wife’s Bag

    ‘Out Of 8 Billion People He Picked A Former UFC Champion To Steal From’ – Fans React To Theft Of Michael Bisping’s Wife’s Bag

    During the UFC’s recent return to Paris, France this past weekend, commentator Michael Bisping looked to take in his surroundings during the work trip.

    However, as he revealed on social media, his leisure time was disrupted by a thief who attempted to run away with his wife’s bag.

    Little did the thief know that he was now going to have to outrun one of the UFC’s all-time great cardio machines.

    After tracking him down, the former UFC champion showed restraint, much to the benefit of the man that he had pursued.

    He told the story in a video posted on X, claiming that he left him with a swift kick “up the a**” before returning back with the bag.

    “Earlier today I had to stop a crime. Sitting there having breakfast with Rebecca in the streets of Montmartre, Paris and some little s*** snatches Rebecca’s bag, runs away. So I chase after him, get a hold of him, he had the bag already hidden in like a towel. Got the bag off him, he didn’t speak a word of English obviously. Didn’t do anything to him, got the bag back, he was s******* his pants, poor guy.”

    MMA Fans React To Michael Bisping Running After And Catching The Thief

    This situation could have ended very differently if Bisping wasn’t the type of person who was able to be calm in this moment.

    The thief likely has no idea what could have happened to him after he stole something from the wrong family, and could have been faced with “left hook Larry” as a result.

    MMA fans reacted on social media to Bisping’s retelling of events:

    “Bet the little thieving c*** was like this when Bisping stepped to him”

    “Out of 8 billion people he picked the a former ufc champion to steal from lmao. He wins the Darwin Award.”

    “Imagine being gripped up by a one-eyed, cauliflower eared mob boss looking UFC champion. He must’ve thought it would be his end.”

    “Glad you’re both ok and that you got her bag back. Those trail runs and good cardio came in handy.”

    “‘I didn’t…. *smirk* I didn’t do anything’”

    Read also: Kayla Harrison Brands Henry Cejudo ‘Asinine’ For Breakdown Of Ketlen Vieira Fight

  • Michael Bisping: Renato Moicano ‘Has No Idea What He’s Stepping Into’ Against Benoît Saint Denis In Paris

    Michael Bisping: Renato Moicano ‘Has No Idea What He’s Stepping Into’ Against Benoît Saint Denis In Paris

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping thinks Renato Moicano is in for a shock when he makes the walk in the French capital.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back in Paris this week to stage its third event in France. The appetite for events in the country has consistently increased since MMA was legalized there in 2020, and the enthusiasm for the sport has been evident at the two UFC Fight Nights staged at the Accor Arena thus far.

    The cards, which were both headlined by Ciryl Gane, delivered in terms of both the action inside the Octagon and the atmosphere within the arena, which picked up whenever the country’s own athletes were in action.

    Not many nations replicate the kind of hostile environment for opposition fighters that France does, and Moicano stands to experience that firsthand this weekend when he headlines opposite Benoît Saint Denis.

    Bisping Warns Moicano Of Fired Up French Crowd, ‘Violent’ Saint Denis

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNsLG8PTcNE

    During TNT Sports’ Fight Week Preview for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Paris, Bisping looked ahead to the event and recounted his experience commentating inside Paris’ Accor Arena.

    While “The Count” gave Moicano props for his abilities and self-belief, he insisted that the fan-favorite lightweight contender is in for a surprise when he clashes with Saint Denis in the Frenchman’s own backyard.

    “Every time they’ve been to Paris, the crowd has been phenomenal. The fights have been great, but I’m telling you, the atmosphere has been electric,” Bisping said. “This will be no different because in the main event, it’s the French Special Forces, the ridiculously violent and aggressive Benoît Saint Denis. The man that almost, almost decapitated and finished Dustin Poirier.

    “In steps the opponent, Renato ‘Money’ Moicano, a man that is also slowly doing his own thing, becoming a star in the lightweight division as well,” Bisping continued. “Saint Denis is going to be extra violent because he’s in Paris. … Renato Moicano, even though he’s really good, and he’s really skilled, and he’s got great jiu-jitsu, and he’s very confident, and he’s good with the fists, has got no idea what he is stepping into. He’s flying into enemy territory, and I’m telling you, I cannot wait for this.”

    Moicano will look to prove Bisping wrong by handling the hostile reception he receives from the French crowd with poise, and subsequently repeating the feat when it comes to dealing with Saint Denis’ offense inside the cage.

    While the Brazilian is fighting down the rankings, a victory over the man whom his teammate Dustin Poirier defeated to secure a title shot earlier this year would no doubt be a big scalp on his record and pursuit of an opportunity at the gold himself.

  • Former UFC Champion Explains Path To McGregor vs. Chandler Fight Despite Oliveira Booking

    Former UFC Champion Explains Path To McGregor vs. Chandler Fight Despite Oliveira Booking

    Michael Bisping recently laid out a possible route for Michael Chandler to secure his long-awaited bout with Conor McGregor, despite the American’s upcoming clash with his old rival, Charles Oliveira, looming on the horizon.

    “Iron” finds himself simmering with mounting bitterness, having been mired on the sidelines for an extended period while awaiting a fight with McGregor. Now, with that elusive matchup still out of reach, Chandler is set to face Oliveira in a five-round co-main event at UFC 309 on November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

    Chandler and Oliveira’s upcoming bout will serve as a rematch of their vacant lightweight title clash at UFC 262 in May 2021, where “Do Bronx” secured a second-round TKO victory to claim the championship.

    Chandler has been biding his time, eagerly awaiting his showdown with “The Notorious” ever since they faced off as rival coaches on The Ultimate Fighter season 31 last year. Throughout this period, Chandler has stayed focused on his training while turning down opportunities to face other contenders.

    However, after encountering numerous setbacks in booking their bout, the two were eventually set to headline UFC 303 this past June, only for the bout to be scrapped at the eleventh hour when McGregor withdrew just two weeks before the event.

    The UFC 309 fight doesn’t entirely close the door on Chandler’s ambitious plans to face the former two-division UFC champion. In fact, Chandler remains optimistic, expressing confidence that his highly anticipated clash with McGregor could still come to fruition sometime in 2025.

    Bisping Discusses How Chandler Might Still Land McGregor Fight

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping shared his thoughts on the current landscape of the UFC lightweight division, particularly as Chandler is set to fight Oliveira in a high-stakes rematch.

    The UFC Hall of Famer acknowledged that while this bout doesn’t carry the same blockbuster allure as a fight with McGregor, it holds equal significance for “Iron.” A victory over “Do Bronx” could propel Chandler back into the heart of a second title contention conversation.

    “He’s stepping in against Charles Oliveira,” Bisping said. “We know this is a rematch. Of course, Chandler had some success in the first fight—he did hurt Oliveira, but he also got hurt himself. He got dropped, so this is a very relevant fight for Michael Chandler. It’s not the Conor McGregor matchup, but it is a fight that is relevant in the title picture. If Chandler can go out there, if he can beat Charles Oliveira, if he can get his hands on Islam Makhachev next, which is what he says he wants, and become the champion of the world, then he can get a fight with Conor McGregor down the line.”

    “The Count” went on to suggest that if Chandler manages to capture the 155-pound title, it could pave the way for a future showdown with McGregor. Although McGregor’s prolonged absence from the Octagon would undoubtedly raise questions and draw heavy scrutiny, his undeniable star power could still secure him the fight.

    “Even though Conor McGregor shouldn’t get a title fight and you’ll all say I’m crazy, the man is super popular, and numbers talk, right? Money talks, bullsh*t runs the marathon. If Chandler is the champ, and Chandler said that McGregor’s road back to the Octagon only goes through him, we could see Chandler vs. McGregor for the lightweight strap. But there’s a lot of ifs and buts.”

    Chandler has been absent from the Octagon for nearly two years now. His last appearance came against Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022, where “Iron” suffered a third-round submission loss despite a valiant showing. Meanwhile, McGregor has remained on the sidelines ever since suffering a devastating leg break during his trilogy bout against Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

  • Former UFC Champ Describes Brian Ortega’s ‘Moral Kind Of Victory’ Against Diego Lopes At UFC 306

    Former UFC Champ Describes Brian Ortega’s ‘Moral Kind Of Victory’ Against Diego Lopes At UFC 306

    Diego Lopes beat Brian Ortega via decision at UFC 306 to rise to the top ranks of the UFC featherweight division. He almost secured a finish in the first, but unsurprisingly, Ortega showed unbelievable toughness and survived until the final bell.

    Lopes earned a takedown and controlled Ortega for nearly three minutes while the latter struggled to get going throughout the fight. The prospect outstruck the former title challenger and fans are excited to see him face the likes of Max Holloway or Ilia Topuria for UFC featherweight gold.

    Lopes is the new talk of the town after his dominant win, but former UFC champ Michael Bisping has found a silver lining for Ortega as well…

    Michael Bisping Explains Why Diego Lopes Couldn’t Finish Brian Ortega At UFC 306

    Bisping heavily appreciated Lopes for getting the better of Ortega at UFC 306 while reacting to the event on his YouTube channel. However, he believes that losing via decision is better for the veteran than being finished.

    “Lopes, was kind of, he wanted to test his ground game. He wanted to send a message, he wanted to choke him out, and beat Brian Ortega at his own game. Because of that, he kind of allowed Brian to get back into the fight and see the final bell. There’s a moral kind of victory if you’re Brian Ortega and you see the final bell. Trust me, as a fighter, you want to lose by decision rather than getting finished. And there were finishes multiple times for Diego Lopes.”

    “The Count” explained that trying to submit Ortega on the ground worked against Lopes. “T-City” used his experience to get a guard quickly and rejuvenate himself.

    Bisping had an interesting theory about the knockdown in the first too. He claimed that the right hand knocked Ortega out and the left hook pushed him back to his senses. The former UFC champ feels the fight could have been stopped early if the Brazilian fighter stuck to striking.

    Although he couldn’t get a finish, Lopes’ stock is higher than ever. He can either fight another top-ranked contender in a title eliminator or get the opportunity to grab the UFC featherweight title next.

  • ‘Grow Up & Mature!’ – Former UFC Champ To Nate Diaz After He Gets Into Altercation Like Israel Adesanya

    ‘Grow Up & Mature!’ – Former UFC Champ To Nate Diaz After He Gets Into Altercation Like Israel Adesanya

    Nate Diaz recently made the headlines for getting into an altercation at a club. The UFC veteran retired after submitting Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 and went on to box former rival Jorge Masvidal in July 2024.

    Over the years, Diaz has been in several heated altercations with fellow fighters and regular citizens. Although a lot of fans love to see him throw hands outside the Octagon, such incidents usually end up getting a mixed reaction in MMA circles.

    Diaz’s latest brawl with a club bouncer is no exception. While some fans cheered for the UFC legend as he squared up, others like Michael Bisping have criticized him…

    Michael Bisping Explains Why UFC Fighters Need To Be More Responsible Publicly While Reacting To Nate Diaz And Israel Adesanya Altercations

    Bisping was reacting to Khamzat Chimaev submitting Luke Rockhold in a friendly match on his YouTube channel recently. Before beginning the breakdown, he pointed out how both fighters knew about being recorded.

    On a similar note, “The Count” remembered prominent UFC fighters like Israel Adesanya and Diaz getting into conflicts and being recorded in the last week. Bisping claimed that nowadays, people intentionally try to provoke fighters and then sue them.

    “That guy knew exactly who Israel Adesanya was. He was probably doing it to goad him on to maybe, sue him down the line because that’s just the state of the world we live in.”

    While Adesanya is pressing charges against the person who verbally abused him, the same can’t be said for Diaz. It’s hard to justify his actions as self-defense and Bisping was quite critical of it.

    “Nate Diaz, he did the same thing a few days ago. Once again, getting into some kind of altercation out and about on a night out with a doorman, you know what I mean? I’m not going to sit here and bash Nate Diaz because he’s got legions of fans but come on, what the hell? The man’s almost 40 years old, can’t be going out there and getting into altercations like this every time, every time, right? Listen, I wasn’t innocent when I was a kid but you got to grow up and mature at some point. Nate Diaz is a very very famous man, right? You got to know that people again, are going to be on their phones.”

    “The Count” looked back at the times he used to get into brawls constantly but claimed to have matured with age. He expects Diaz to follow a similar route and avoid such altercations for his own good.

  • Former Champ Cautions Alex Pereira: Don’t Overlook ‘Kickboxer Killer’ Khalil Rountree

    Former Champ Cautions Alex Pereira: Don’t Overlook ‘Kickboxer Killer’ Khalil Rountree

    Michael Bisping recently warned Alex Pereira, urging him not to underestimate the formidable threat that Khalil Rountree brings to their upcoming clash.

    “Poatan” is preparing for his third light heavyweight title defense in 2024, as he is set to square off against Rountree in the main event of UFC 307, scheduled for October 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Pereira has been an indomitable force since storming into the 205-pound division, kicking things off with a decisive win over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291. His meteoric rise continued as he claimed the vacant light heavyweight title with a dominant victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295.

    From there, the Brazilian striking phenom wasted no time solidifying his reign, successfully defending his belt twice in just two months. His most recent triumph came with a second-round knockout of Prochazka in their rematch at UFC 303.

    As for Rountree, many have raised concerns about the fight, citing “The War Horse’s” suspension for the consumption of the banned substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is set to end on September 18. Meanwhile, others contend that Magomed Ankalaev would have been a more deserving challenger for Pereira’s title.

    However, “The Count” believes that Rountree possesses the complete arsenal needed to threaten Pereira’s striking-centric style…

    Bisping Uncertain About Pereira’s Chances Facing Rountree

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping weighed in on ‘Poatan’s’ callout of UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. The UFC Hall of Famer was quick to point out that Pereira has a more immediate challenge looming in the form of Rountree, one he can’t afford to overlook.

    “He’s the light heavyweight champion of the world,” Bisping said. “Being the light heavyweight champion comes with some responsibility. Now, as I said, first and foremost, number one, he’s got people to fight already—he’s fighting Khalil Rountree. You cannot look past killer Khalil. He’s the kickboxer killer, he really is. Think about this: he beat Gokhan Saki, a very good kickboxer who transitioned to MMA, and Dustin Jacoby, another excellent Glory kickboxer who moved to MMA. Could he do the same to Alex Pereira? I don’t know—it’s a tough ask.

    Widely regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in MMA, Pereira’s legacy as a two-division Glory Kickboxing champion strikes fear into opponents. While conventional wisdom suggests that wrestling is the blueprint to topple him, Rountree sees things differently.

    Though Rountree doesn’t dispute the wrestling strategy, he’s made it clear that he wants to keep the fight standing and deliver a striking masterclass.

  • Michael Bisping Argues For Conor McGregor’s Spot On MMA Mount Rushmore: A Name For The Ages

    Michael Bisping Argues For Conor McGregor’s Spot On MMA Mount Rushmore: A Name For The Ages

    One of the most common debates that MMA fans are sure to have with one another is who are the greatest and most significant fighters of all time.

    Mixed martial arts is still a very young sport but even with that in mind, picking just four names and faces to fill up a Mount Rushmore of MMA is no easy task.

    This is what former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping attempted to get to the bottom of, on a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast.

    Of course, all the usual names were thrown into the mix like Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Royce Gracie but one big omission throws a major additional factor into the debate.

    Whilst he may not have the same strength of resume or longevity as some of the other names in consideration, MMA would not be what it is today without “The Notorious”.

    Michael Bisping Says Conor McGregor Will Have Long Lasting Legacy On His Side In Mount Rushmore Debate

    After he was left out of the bulk of the discussion, Bisping made the case for why Conor McGregor has to be spoken about as someone that has earned his spot on the sport’s four figureheads.

    The impact that the first-ever UFC champ-champ has had is simply unmatched when you look at the money and attention that he has brought in.

    Bisping made his case by posing the question of what the debate will look like in the distant future and when looking at the list of fighters from that angle, there’s no chance that McGregor isn’t a first-round draft pick.

    “What about this point of view, let’s remember the sport’s only thirty years old. Let’s look at this in a hundred years time from now. Who will be the name that’s really stood out? You cannot deny the impact that McGregor had on this sport and bringing it to the next level and you know, I’m the last person to sit here and fluff him up but you can’t deny that, you just can’t.”

    Read also: Kayla Harrison On How Julianna Peña Reached The Top In UFC: ‘Pretty, Tough As Nails, & Got A Big Mouth’

  • Cutman Tate Reveals Former UFC Middleweight Champion Was The Worst Fighter To Deal With: ‘Pain In A**’

    Cutman Tate Reveals Former UFC Middleweight Champion Was The Worst Fighter To Deal With: ‘Pain In A**’

    Brad Tate has been working as a cutman in the UFC for as long as fans can remember. He can be spotted in most events inspecting fighters before they enter the Octagon and working on cuts and other injuries between rounds.

    Despite not being a fighter, Tate has gradually become popular in MMA circles as one of the most consistent members of the UFC team like Bruce Buffer. He’s unsurprisingly developed great relationships with several UFC fighters, including Charles Oliveira, Daniel Cormier, Gilbert Burns, Jamahal Hill, and many more.

    Tate has been dealing with mixed martial artists for almost a decade, and he’s now revealed a former UFC middleweight champion to be the toughest fighter to work with…

    Cutman Tate Jokingly Claims No One Likes Luke Rockhold Except Daniel Cormier

    Tate appeared on the Believe You Me podcast hosted by Michael Bisping recently. Right away, “The Count” asked the cutman for some gossip as he’s had countless interactions with the UFC roster.

    To Bisping’s happiness, Tate called Luke Rockhold one of the worst fighters he’s had to work with in the UFC. In 2016 at UFC 199, Bisping knocked out Rockhold to win the UFC middleweight championship in what remains one of the biggest upsets in the sport to date.

    Without going into much detail, Tate stated that Rockhold caused problems consistently. The cutman appreciated that Bisping took away the UFC middleweight championship from him which is enough to determine how much he dislikes Rockhold.

    “I will give you the one person because he’s not in the UFC anymore and you fought him. F*****g Luke Rockhold was a pain in a**. Like, bro, listen to me, I know he was a good fighter. I don’t think anybody except DC like Luke Rockhold.”

    Tate isn’t a fan of Rockhold calling out UFC fighters like Sean Strickland either, now that he’s left the promotion. He also added that criticism regarding his demeanor fueled the former UFC middleweight champion to act in the same manner instead of mending his ways.

    “I see him now, and like, he was talking sh*t about Sean Strickland. And I’m like, nobody cares bro. Like this whole, Dana call me I’ll go in there and handle this for you. It’s like, dude, he was a problem like and he was just, dude, him losing the belt was like the best thing for him but like I said. I mean he’s not in the UFC anymore but he was the one guy that just, oh my god, even to just be around him, you would just be like, bro, why are you such a d**k? And honestly, you could tell him that he was a d**k and it just, I think that fueled him even more and made him even more like, yeah, let me be that way.”

    The UFC cutman claims to have rarely had bad experiences with fighters which is why it is surprising how much he despises the time spent with Rockhold. Luckily, for him, it’s unlikely that the middleweight will ever return to the promotion following his loss to Paulo Costa at UFC 278.

  • Former UFC Champ Backs Dana White On Merab Dvalishvili Revealing His Cut Ahead Of Sean O’Malley Fight: ‘Not Everything Needs To Go On Social Media!’

    Former UFC Champ Backs Dana White On Merab Dvalishvili Revealing His Cut Ahead Of Sean O’Malley Fight: ‘Not Everything Needs To Go On Social Media!’

    In arguably the biggest fight of his career, Merab Dvalishvili will challenge Sean O’Malley for the UFC bantamweight championship. The bout will headline the Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at the Las Vegas Sphere on September 14, 2024.

    While O’Malley avenged his only MMA loss to Marlon Vera in his first title defense, Dvalishvili is riding a 10-fight win streak in the UFC. The contender holds wins over big names like Marlon Moraes, José Aldo, and Petr Yan. This explains the hype behind the bantamweight title bout.

    However, the main event was temporarily in jeopardy as Dvalishvili revealed a cut under his eye. UFC President Dana White wasn’t happy about the situation, and Michael Bisping couldn’t agree more…

    Michael Bisping Explains Why Merab Dvalishvili Shouldn’t Have Posted His Cut Before Sean O’Malley Fight

    Bisping discussed Dvalishvili’s injury on his official YouTube channel recently. He highlighted that fighters now usually post most of their life on social media to increase engagement with fans. Naturally, this wasn’t the case a couple of decades back, and being silent about injuries during camps was preferred.

    “Dana’s right when he talks about boxers. Of course, he’s probably talking about the boxers of his generation. Dana knows a lot about boxing as well as mixed martial arts of course. Back in the day, social media wasn’t a thing. The new generation, though, they live on social media. Your entire life is on social media”

    The former UFC middleweight champ then explained why White was right in being upset with Dvalishvili’s behavior. For starters, a crisp striker like “Suga” can easily target the cut and make “The Machine” bleed early on in the fight.

    “I tell you what, if I was fighting for a main event against Sean O’Malley to become the UFC champion of the world, and I got cut, I would not post it on social media. I’m not talking s**t on Merab. I think Merab is awesome, he’s a great guy, he’s an incredible fighter. The performance against Cejudo solidified that he is the next man in line, but not everything needs to go on social media!”

    Bisping also looked back at major injuries he sustained before some of his biggest UFC fights. He had stitches near his eye before the first fight with Luke Rockhold and infamously broke his ribs a week before the Georges St-Pierre fight. “The Count” kept these injuries secret and expects modern-day UFC fighters to follow suit.

  • Former UFC Champion Reacts To Jake Paul Making Olympics 2028 Gold Medal Prediction: ‘He Wouldn’t Be Able To Cherry Pick Opponents…’

    Michael Bisping recently expressed his reservations about Jake Paul’s ambitions to compete in boxing at the 2028 Olympics.

    In the latest episode of his podcast, “The Problem Child” voiced his frustration with the underwhelming performance of American boxers at the Paris Olympics. He stated that the setback has ignited his desire to throw his hat into the ring for the upcoming Summer Games in Los Angeles, United States, four years from now.

    “I’m going to enter the 2028 Olympics for boxing in Los Angeles,” Paul said. “I’m sick and tired of waiting around, waiting for another gold for Team U.S.A. … I probably just added a couple more years on to my boxing career because of that, but Los Angeles, United States, sick as f**k.

    Paul’s quest for a gold medal is fueled by the fact that the U.S. has not claimed a boxing medal in the heavyweight division since Deontay Wilder secured a bronze in 2008. The last time an American heavyweight struck gold was when Ray Mercer triumphed in 1988 against Tommy Morrison.

    The YouTuber-turned-boxer has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the influencer boxing scene, boasting a 10-1 career record, highlighted by a TKO victory over Mike Perry on June 20. However, of his 11 bouts, six have been against opponents with five or fewer professional boxing matches under their belts, including notable retired MMA stars like Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, and Ben Askren.

    Paul usually competes at around 200 pounds, placing him in the heavyweight division should he ever qualify for the Olympics. However, the road ahead will be long and challenging. To even reach the Olympic trials, American boxers must meet six stringent eligibility requirements and secure a top-two finish in a qualifier tournament within an Olympic weight category.

    “The Count” insists that making it to the Olympics is no small feat, and Paul won’t have the advantages he enjoyed under his own banner, Most Valuable Promotions…

    Bisping Doubts Paul Can Handle Rigors Of Olympic Boxing Standards

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping responded to Paul’s ambitions of competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics. The former UFC middleweight champion acknowledged the success and fame “The Problem Child” has achieved in his professional boxing career but pointed out that to contend in such elite sporting events, Paul would need to measure up to some of the greatest boxers of all time.

    “Fair enough, the man wants to go and compete in the Olympics, and you know what, I’ve actually got a lot of respect for him,” Bisping said. “Jake Paul is kind of doing it the opposite way around because he’s very famous, he’s had a lot of professional boxing fights, and he’s going to go to the amateurs. But the guy that just won the Olympic gold medal has actually had four professional boxing bouts as well. Now, if Jake Paul were to win the Olympics, I mean, that would be incredible, and he would join the likes of the great Muhammad Ali, the GOAT George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Oscar De La Hoya, Lennox Lewis, Pernell Whitaker, Mark Breland—the list goes on and on.”

    However, the UFC Hall of Famer went on to highlight that the real test for Paul in competing at the Olympics isn’t just about his skill in the ring. The true challenge will be stepping outside the comfort of his own promotions, enduring the grind of fighting day after day, and managing the rigorous weight cuts required to qualify for the competition.

    “For Jake Paul, if you did go and fight in the Olympics, well, first of all, it wouldn’t be his promotion, would it? So he wouldn’t be able to cherry-pick opponents; he wouldn’t be able to take people that are way past their sell-by date, like Mike Tyson. If he goes to the Olympics, a lot of things will change, that’s for sure. Number one, he wouldn’t be able to cut weight because, in the Olympics, you’re going to have to box every few days. It wouldn’t be his promotion, so everything’s not going to be centered around him. There wouldn’t be a massive payday on display; he will be doing it literally to represent his country, to test himself, and potentially to become an Olympic gold medalist.”

    Paul is scheduled to take on former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on November 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, marking the first-ever combat sports event to stream live on Netflix.

    “The Problem Child” has faced significant criticism for consistently choosing opponents much older than himself, particularly in this matchup with “Iron Mike”, who is a staggering 31 years his senior.

  • Former UFC Champion Explains How Retiring After Stipe Miocic Fight Would Affect Jon Jones’ Legacy: ‘Ducking Tom Aspinall!’

    Former UFC Champion Explains How Retiring After Stipe Miocic Fight Would Affect Jon Jones’ Legacy: ‘Ducking Tom Aspinall!’

    Jon Jones is expected to face Stipe Miocic before the end of 2024, with Dana White recently stating that the winner will step into the Octagon against Tom Aspinall to unify the UFC heavyweight championship.

    Jones has been out of action since winning the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023. Although Aspinall has won and defended the interim title, “Bones” is still the official champion and holds a solid #3 ranking in the pound-for-pound list.

    “Bones” has repeatedly talked about considering retirement after the Miocic fight as well. One former UFC champ, however, thinks this move could be detrimental to his legacy…

    Michael Bisping Claims Jon Jones Would Lose Fans If He Retires Without Fighting Tom Aspinall

    Michael Bisping recently discussed the future of the UFC heavyweight division on his official YouTube channel. The winner of Jones vs. Miocic is expected to face Aspinall next, and early odds favor the interim champ.

    “The Count” claimed that despite his GOAT status as a light heavyweight, Jones’ inactivity at heavyweight makes him an underdog against Aspinall. But the former UFC middleweight kingpin also highlighted that his opponent’s lack of fighting experience could benefit Jones, who boasts a record 15 UFC title wins.

    “He hasn’t got the in-ring time, he hasn’t got the experience, the fight IQ of a Jon Jones.”

    Bisping’s other concern is regarding Jones’ will to fight after the Miocic fight. The decision is largely dependent on his performance, and in the eyes of “The Count,” retiring without unifying the heavyweight title wouldn’t sit well with a lot of fans.

    Jones vs. Aspinall has been a highly anticipated fight for over a year now. While the Brit has been respectfully waiting for the opportunity, many think that “Bones” is avoiding the Aspinall fight due to the higher risk of losing.

    Bisping believes such narratives will only get stronger if the UFC heavyweight champion retires after his next scheduled fight.

    “It would suck. Not only would it suck, but it would also be not the best move for Jon Jones in terms of fan appreciation. The narrative would always be that he was ducking Tom Aspinall.”

  • Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira Among UFC Fighters Touted To Destroy Jake Paul In Boxing Match: ‘Too Quick, Too Slick, Too Fast, Too Technical’

    Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira Among UFC Fighters Touted To Destroy Jake Paul In Boxing Match: ‘Too Quick, Too Slick, Too Fast, Too Technical’

    Michael Bisping contends that beyond the formidable Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya, a host of UFC fighters possess the prowess to beat down Jake Paul in the boxing ring.

    It appears that the age-old rivalry between MMA and boxing continues to burn brightly, with “The Problem Child” fanning the flames. Following his sixth-round TKO victory over former UFC fighter Mike Perry in their cruiserweight boxing bout last weekend, Paul made some incendiary remarks that have ruffled feathers in the MMA community.

    The YouTuber-turned-boxer has consistently expressed a keen interest in facing UFC fighters, with Conor McGregor frequently being mentioned as a desired opponent. However, this past Saturday, he surprised everyone by calling out a new challenger: the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion.

    Despite “Poatan” being hailed as one of the most lethal strikers in the UFC today, Paul boldly declared during the post-event press conference that he would “decapitate and dethrone” the Brazilian in a potential boxing match. This audacious claim incensed former UFC middleweight champion Bisping…

    Bisping Lists UFC Fighters Who Would Dominate Paul In Squared Circle

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping weighed in on Paul’s callout of Pereira for a boxing match. “The Count” dissected “Poatan’s” impressive victories over renowned former champions like Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz, Jiri Prochazka, and Jamahal Hill. He confidently asserted that Pereira would undoubtedly outclass “The Problem Child” in the boxing ring.

    “That is the craziest, most grandiose statement I have ever heard in my life,” Bisping said. “Alex Pereira is gigantic. Alex Pereira is way bigger than Jake Paul… Alex Pereira is a monster. Alex Pereira is not a blown-up lightweight; he’s a champion of two weight divisions and he’s beaten five former champions.

    The UFC Hall of Famer added that all the fighters Pereira has defeated are equally capable of dismantling Paul in a boxing match, and they would do so in a resoundingly dominant fashion.

    “All those people that I just mentioned would absolutely wipe the floor with Jake Paul. Jamahal Hill would brutalize him. Jiri Prochazka would marmalize him. Israel Adesanya would embarrass him from start to finish. Too quick, too slick, too fast, too technical.”

    Paul has previously fought former UFC fighters Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley (twice), Nate Diaz, and Ben Askren, though all were notably beyond their prime.

    Although the likelihood of a Pereira vs. Paul boxing match is slim due to the UFC’s stringent contracts, the Brazilian fighter appeared enthusiastic about the potential showdown in his brief video exchange with Paul.

  • Michael Bisping Brands Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry Boxing Match A ‘Farce’, Berates Paul For  ‘Cherry Picking’ Opponents

    Michael Bisping Brands Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry Boxing Match A ‘Farce’, Berates Paul For  ‘Cherry Picking’ Opponents

    Count former UFC champion Michael Bisping among those not impressed by YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul’s latest triumph inside the ring.

    Paul’s trend of fighting and defeating mixed martial arts veterans continued this past weekend at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, which played host to “The Problem Child’s” 11th professional fight.

    The ex-Disney star has notably built a record by beating prominent MMA names crossing over to the squared circle, such as Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. And former UFC fighter-turned-BKFC star Mike Perry has now joined his list of victims.

    Paul got the better of “Platinum” in the sixth round of their bout on Saturday, following earlier knockdowns with one final damaging blow to seal the deal against Perry, who stepped in on short notice following the postponement of Paul’s match with Mike Tyson.

    But despite previously speaking highly of Perry’s chances, one former UFC champ has laid into Paul for the match…

    Bisping: Paul vs. Perry Should Never Have Happened

    During a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping gave his take on the latest boxing success for Paul, whom “The Count” has gone back and forth with himself over a possible bout in the past.

    Interestingly, Bisping’s pre-fight remarks saw him actually warn Paul against the fight, branding Perry a “savage” who has “good technique.” The Englishman suggested the 27-year-old Cleveland native was “rolling the dice” by fighting “Platinum” and would not have an easy night.

    But despite proving Bisping wrong, Paul isn’t getting any praise from the ex-UFC champ.

    “Coming into this fight, I think myself, the whole fight community, everyone was behind Mike Perry. But the reality was he was too small,” Bisping said. “There are weight classes in boxing, in combat sports, for a reason. Jake Paul was about twice the size of him. The weight difference is going to be insane.

    “Well done Jake Paul if that’s what you want to see. That was a farce,” Bisping continued. “That was ridiculous. That fight should have never even taken place in the first place because it was a sh*t show. Jake Paul was by far the bigger guy, and as I’ve said, there are weight classes for a reason. … He (Paul) cherry picks these opponents that are way smaller and less experienced.”    

    Paul will be no stranger to that kind of criticism, with his detractors using choice of opponents as the main tool by which to take away from his boxing career thus far.

    And that trend will no doubt continue as he looks to ride the momentum from the knockout win over Perry into a planned Netflix showdown with 58-year-old Tyson at AT&T Stadium this November.

  • Former UFC Champion Backs Alex Pereira’s Decision To Dismiss Tom Aspinall Fight: ‘Outside Of Conor McGregor, The Biggest Star In Combat Sports…’

    Former UFC Champion Backs Alex Pereira’s Decision To Dismiss Tom Aspinall Fight: ‘Outside Of Conor McGregor, The Biggest Star In Combat Sports…’

    Alex Pereira’s UFC run has been unlike anything else that fans have ever seen in the promotion but the exciting thing is that he could take it up another level if he wanted to.

    “Poatan” has already achieved great success at both middleweight and light heavyweight, but there is potential for him to try and become a world champion in three weight classes.

    Pereira seemingly has the frame and power to make the jump to heavyweight, which would only add even more excitement to his Octagon appearances.

    The 205-pound champion is already a huge star and whilst heavyweight could boost his stock even more, it’s not something that is on his mind right now.

    Pereira recently stated that he doesn’t plan to move up anytime soon but if he did, he would want to fight Jon Jones rather than Tom Aspinall.

    Michael Bisping Agrees With Alex Pereira’s Stance On Not Being Interested In Fighting Tom Aspinall

    Fights against both Aspinall and Jones would be absolutely massive for Pereira and his reasoning for not wanting to fight the Brit over “Bones” makes total sense.

    Despite many feeling like Aspinall’s next title defense at UFC 304 is essentially him defending the undisputed title rather than the interim, “Poatan” knows that he doesn’t have many years left in his career. So if he was going to move up, it would be to fight the undisputed world champion and nothing else.

    Michael Bisping gave his thoughts on this during a recent YouTube video where he sided with Pereira.

    The former UFC middleweight champion understood where the former kickboxer was coming from when he stated that despite having a lot of respect for Aspinall, this fight wouldn’t make sense for him right now.

    “As much as I’m a fan of Tom Aspinall, I’ve got to agree with Alex Pereira here. He’s a two-weight division champion. The man is the talk of the town, the bell of the ball and outside of Conor McGregor, the biggest star in combat sports right now. Maybe even bigger than Jon Jones right now.

    “He’s certainly on the top of everybody’s tongues, he’s the man that everybody wants to fight but he’s saying, ‘I don’t want to fight Tom Aspinall’, and that’s not because he’s scared. It’s not because he says stylistically it might be a bad match-up for me, he’s saying no, it doesn’t make sense. ‘If I was going to fight, I’d want to fight the undisputed champ, I wouldn’t want to fight the interim champion’, and I do kind of get that.”

    Read also: Alistair Overeem Favors Jon Jones To Beat Tom Aspinall But Names 50-50 Matchup For Him: ‘That Was The Fight To Make…’

  • Former UFC Champ Warns Sean Strickland Against Avoiding Robert Whittaker Fight: ‘You Can’t Feel So Entitled’

    Former UFC Champ Warns Sean Strickland Against Avoiding Robert Whittaker Fight: ‘You Can’t Feel So Entitled’

    After losing the UFC middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland bounced back by defeating Paulo Costa at UFC 302 this past June. Since then, he’s been adamant about sitting out and fighting the winner of Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, Perth.

    However, Costa fought Strickland following a loss to Robert Whittaker. “The Reaper” has since beaten Khamzat Chimaev’s short-notice replacement Ikram Aliskerov easily to build his own case for another title shot.

    Many believe that Strickland vs. Whittaker is the perfect title eliminator fight in the UFC middleweight division. Michael Bisping agrees and recently advised “Tarzan” to change his stance on turning down such a matchup…

    Michael Bisping Reminds Sean Strickland About Downsides Of Waiting On The Sidelines

    Bisping recently discussed Strickland’s latest motorcycle accident and next fight on his YouTube channel. He laid down situations in which waiting for a title shot instead of fighting Whittaker could affect the former champ’s ability to reclaim gold.

    In the eyes of “The Count,” Strickland wouldn’t want a world where Du Plessis vs. Adesanya is razor close and results in a rematch. If, in the meantime, “The Reaper” racks up another dominant win, he’ll be more likely to get a title shot.

    “You can’t sit around. You can’t feel so entitled. You have to go out there, stake your case, continue to apply your craft, get better with every single training camp. Make the statement that you are the uncrowned champion.”

    Bisping looked at Whittaker’s impressive record as a middleweight, which contains three losses to only current or then-future champions. Because he walked out of the Aliskerov fight without damage, the Australian could feasibly return to the Octagon quickly and be the undisputed title challenger.

    It is worth noting that the former British UFC middleweight champion isn’t critical of Strickland’s principles. After the razor-close decision loss to the current titleholder and a win since, he can rightly claim a second shot.

    Nevertheless, Bisping maintained that it is still risky due to factors outside of his control.

    “You do not want to wait on the sidelines. I mean, for example, let’s say Dricus beats Izzy. That’s a big if, but let’s just say he does. What if Dricus gets injured? What if that fight is so grueling, he tears a knee, he busts his eye up, he’s got a broken jaw. He’s coming back, but it’s going to be six to nine months. Is he still going to continue to wait on the sidelines?”

    Overall, “The Count” only demands Strickland to not sit on the sidelines and do what he does best. Get inside the Octagon consistently, improve with every fight, and not let anyone else steal his claim at the title.

  • Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis

    Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis

    Israel Adesanya is certainly not going to be short on motivation heading into his middleweight title fight at UFC 305.

    After the longest break of his fighting career, the former champion returns to try and reclaim the belt against his rival, Dricus Du Plessis.

    There has been tension between the two men that stems back to last year when some comments from “Stillknocks” made this feud personal and intense.

    Now, Du Plessis had added more fuel to the fire with his statements in interviews and the recent press conference, where he gave his feelings on Adesanya’s career.

    Michael Bisping Says Dricus Du Plessis Is Motivating & Firing Up Israel Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 305

    Despite their feud, Du Plessis has made it very clear that he has a lot of respect for everything that Adesanya has accomplished in his career.

    The difference is that the current champion believes his next opponent is not the same man that he used to be anymore and his best days are behind him.

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, former 185-pound champion Michael Bisping gave his reaction to the words between the two men at the press conference.

    He believes that Du Plessis saying these things about Adesanya could end up backfiring by giving his opponent more venom ahead of their eventual meeting in Perth on August 17.

    “That’s kind of harsh words for Israel Adesanya to hear and for Israel, that’s going to motivate him big time. That’s going to p*** him off, that’s going to grind his gears, that’s going to get in his head, that is going to force him to train his a** off, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see one of the most dangerous, nasty version of Israel Adesanya that we’ve seen.”

    Adesanya’s return comes on Australian soil, where he was shockingly unseated by Sean Strickland last September in Sydney.

    He’ll look to return to the throne inside Perth’s RAC Arena, where fellow Oceania-based fighters like Kai Kara-France, Steve Erceg, Junior Tafa, and Jack Jenkins will also be among those in action.

  • Michael Bisping Assesses What Dustin Poirier Should Do Next After UFC 302 Loss: ‘The Best Thing I Ever Did Was Walk Away’

    Heading into UFC 302 this past weekend, Dustin Poirier was honest about how this could be the last fight of his career.

    He echoed the same sentiment in his post-fight interview after being submitted by Islam Makhachev in the main event.

    With another shot at capturing the lightweight title being unlikely, Poirier said that he needs to look at why he’s still fighting and focus on being with his family.

    “The Diamond” has had an incredible career, competing 40 times in the pro ranks and fighting the very best in his weight class.

    Despite being defeated this past weekend, he would still be going out on a high following a great main event and impressive display.

    A former champion believes that whilst there are still fights out there for him, getting out now may be his best option.

    Michael Bisping Speaks From Personal Experience, Says Dustin Poirier Should Retire 

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping spoke about what could be next for Poirier during a video on his YouTube channel.

    He named two opponents that would make a lot of sense for him before he does call time on his career but despite that, is leaning towards Poirier hanging up the gloves.

    “So Justin Gaethje, Alexander Volkanovski, they’re my two top picks or, does he walk off into the sunshine. Listen, make hey whilst the sun is shining but, he’s made a lot of hay, he’s got money in the bank, he’s represented himself with class. He went toe-to-toe with Islam Makhachev, he’s been in there with some of the best fighters on the planet and put on some absolute wars and as he said, if he considers his smokers and his kind of amateur fights, he’s had about 50 fights.”

    Bisping also spoke from personal experience about why Poirier should leave combat sports behind despite it being a tough decision to make.

    Having retired in 2018, “The Count” has been able to explore new avenues and he believes the same may be the case for Louisiana’s finest.

    “He’s only 35 years old, he’s got a lot of life left to live so go off, enjoy yourself. That would be my suggestion. I would love to see him fight Volk, I would love to see him fight Gaethje but for me, I would say the best thing that I ever did was walk away from combat sports. It’s a very, very hard thing. It’s all that you know, you’ve dedicated your entire life to it but when you do it, when you reach those kinds of heights, it opens so many other doors. So Dustin Poirier, whatever you do decide, all the best, congratulations.”