It’s become almost a ritual among MMA fighters to call out the candid Brit known as Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping.
“I’m outspoken,” Bisping explained “I don’t say the most [politically correct] things. I get paid well and I’ve been around a long time. I’ve coached The Ultimate Fighter twice and I’ve won it as well.
“People know who I am. So they look to me and they want to get ahead in the game and think ‘I’ll call out Bisping’.”
The latest in the long line of challengers is Luke Rockhold, who said to The Roar of Bisping, “This is the guy whose mouth I’ve wanted to shut up for a long time.”
The two are set to face off in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Rockhold versus Bisping, on November 8 at the Allphones Arena.
The rivalry between the two began several years ago when Rockhold was the Strikeforce middleweight champion.
“We sparred together once,” Bisping said. “After the sparring match, I was on a TV show and the host asked me ‘You guys are sparring together, how did that go? Who got the better of each other?’
“Luke was the Strikeforce champion so I jokingly said that I was the unofficial Strikeforce champion. I’ve often been a loudmouth, I say things without thinking about them sometimes and maybe I put my foot in it a little bit.
“But I was joking, it was an off-the-cuff remark.
“[Rockhold] just couldn’t get over it. If he’s going to be such a crybaby about it, then he can kiss my ass.”
The situation escalated after Bisping’s win over Cung Le in Macau last August.
“After my last fight, when I fought in China against Cung Le, the next day I was having a coffee with my dad,” he said. “Just catching up on old times with my dad when [Rockhold] walks over and starts making a scene in the coffee shop, challenging me to a fight.
“I just thought ‘Wow, there is a time and place for this type of thing and this certainly isn’t it’.
“After that, I contacted the UFC and told them I would love to fight this guy and settle this once and for all.”
Despite the animosity, Bisping is careful not to underestimate the No. 5 ranked Rockhold and the prospects that a victory in Sydney could bring.
“To be honest, Luke is highly ranked and he’s coming off good victories.” he offered. “He’s a former Strikeforce champion and he’s talented.
“He’s potentially next in line for a title shot after Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort finish their business. I think if I’m able to pull off a victory over Rockhold, it could put me in line for a title shot or certainly very, very close.”
Stylistically, the southpaw Rockhold presents some unique challenges for the UFC veteran.
“He’s dangerous pretty much everywhere” Bisping said. “He’s certainly dangerous on the ground, he’s got good grappling. On the feet he’s got very good kicks. He hasn’t got one-punch knockout power or anything like that but he’s certainly got power in his kicks. He’s got a varied attack with his kicks, he’s unpredictable.
“I think his biggest weapon is his reach, he’s tall and rangy with long legs. I’m a slightly shorter guy with a slightly shorter reach so I’m going to have to use my footwork to get on the inside and counter that.”
Bisping will look to use his own strengths and guile to neutralise Rockhold’s reach.
“I think I’ve got way faster feet and and faster footwork and movement than Rockhold so hopefully that will be enough to counter his range. But I guess we’ll find out on the night.”
Let’s get ready to rumble! Pick a fighter and place your bets with PlayUp for great odds. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Nikita Tszyu defended his Australian super welterweight crown. But a fightback from opponent Danilo Creati threatened to spoil everything in the sixth round.
Nikita Tszyu has overcome a nasty mid-fight moment to score a unanimous points win over Danilo Creati and retain his Australian super welterweight title…
A bloodied Tim Tszyu has been cruelly denied in his quest to emulate his legendary father Kostya and become a unified world boxing champion…
Liam Wilson has suffered further heartbreak in Arizona, the Australian boxer losing his super-featherweight world-title fight against Mexican Oscar Valdez. In front of a…
Tim Tszyu has the chance to emulate his legendary father as a unified world boxing champion after the stakes were dramatically raised for his…
Australia's Alexander Volkanovski has lost his UFC featherweight title to Ilia Topuria, with the Spaniard scoring a stunning second round knockout in the main…
