UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has spoken out on his next potential matchup at 185lbs – hoping to reschedule a bout with Georges St-Pierre in the event of long term injury to interim champion Robert Whittaker.
The California-based Brit took to his ‘Believe You Me’ podcast on Monday to reinforce interest in a superfight with the Canadian legend, as well as to respond to recent, provocative tweets from Cuban contender Yoel Romero.
To be continued……. #seeyousoonboi pic.twitter.com/cUvx7RSqDt
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) July 10, 2017
@bisping @danawhite you’re “champ” is scared. I will find him and he will need the octagon to protect him. #seeyousoonboyyy pic.twitter.com/Ziq0pz3Sgj
— Peoples Champ (@YoelRomeroMMA) July 17, 2017
“I’m not sure what the situation is with Robert Whittaker but I’m understanding he has some kind of knee issue… If he can’t fight anytime soon, Georges, where you at bud? Because I’m still here,” Bisping said.
“Yoel, get over it bud! You just lost the number one contender fight. It’s just so typical of Yoel Romero – he can’t man up, he can’t accept it… Now he’s still trying to bypass the victory and call me out.”
The Manchester native also revealed the UFC’s attempt to book he and the winner of Romero-Whittaker as coaches on the upcoming season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, before settling on top lightweight contenders Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje.
“Dana was pushing me for an answer on whether or not I would coach The Ultimate Fighter against the winner of Whittaker and Romero. And I wasn’t giving him an answer because I was still waiting to find out whether or not the GSP fight was going to come off.”
“We came to a deal… Yoel had agreed, but they hadn’t asked Whittaker.”
“Long story short… Whittaker, fair play, wanted X, Y and Z to do the show and the UFC weren’t prepared to give it to him. Next minute Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez are the new coaches. And I didn’t even get a phone call!”
The extent of Whittaker’s injury is yet to be released, but the Sydneysider has gone on record ruling out a showdown with Bisping to unify the belts at UFC 217 in November – and likely the UFC’s Sydney event two weeks later.
“Robert Whittaker will be my next fight, unless the unimaginable happens and GSP comes up,” Bisping said.
“Robert Whittaker, if you’re listening – heal up, hurry up, get your shit together and let’s do this.”