Bisping responds to Machida callout
Michael Bisping: “I’m not considering opponents and who they are. I’ve got to speak to Dana and the UFC guys and figure out what’s next and what’s happening in life.”
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida broke a three-fight losing street at middleweight on Saturday night, and then respectfully called out former division champ Michael Bisping, who is looking at his final fight. On his latest Believe You Me podcast, ‘The Count’ responded.
I have a lot of respect for Machida, I really do,” began Bisping, as transcribed by Damon Martin for MMA Weekly. “Machida, as I said on Saturday, he’s one of the true last martial arts specialists and a real martial artist that competes in the Octagon. So I have respect for him. Of course there was the whole steroid issue and I don’t want to rehash Saturday’s show but there’s always going to be an asterisk over him. Machida, nice guy, good guy
The Rashad fight we spoke about and didn’t materialize and the Machida fight is something as well that could potentially serve as a last fight. Very similar to Rashad in many ways – former champion, had a long career, getting into the final stages of his career, somebody that I haven’t fought, that I have a lot of respect for, that’s had a great career. It ticks all the boxes from that standpoint and that’s about it.
As of right now, I’ve got to speak to the UFC and figure out what’s going on myself. I’m not considering opponents and who they are. I’ve got to speak to Dana and the UFC guys and figure out what’s next and what’s happening in life. So god bless Machida, thank you for the call out, and we’ll see what the future holds.
it was widely believed that Bisping’s final fight would be at UFC Fight Night 127 on March 17, 2018, in London, England. ‘The Count’ said he’s not fighting at the event, and as of now, the opponent remains unknown too.
