Perez: Bisping’s a clown

Sunday night at UFC Fight Night 74, Frankie Perez knocked out Sam Stout in just 54 seconds, and then, at the age of just 26, her retired in the Octagon.

UFC middleweight and FOX analyst Michael Bisping was not impressed.

I am glad, said Bisping as transcribed by Steven Marrocco for MMAjunkie. “And no offense to Frankie Perez, because I don’t know the guy, and I’m sure he’s a very charming individual and a good person, but if he retired after knocking someone out in his second UFC win, I would say he hasn’t got the cojones to really be in this sport.

He said he’s sick of what it does to his body; he’s sick of feeling like this – well, guess what, this sport isn’t designed for everybody, and if you don’t enjoy it, then step away and let the real men do it.”

Perez was in turn not impressed.

Bisping’s a clown,” said Perez as transcribed by Mike Bohn for MMAjunkie. “So it ain’t no big deal; words don’t get to me, said. You know what it is? I’m just choosing my family over this sport. I love this sport and love everything about it. But it was just time. That’s it. I’m still going to be around, cornering guys. That’s it.

I made it to the pinnacle, I made it to the major leagues of fighting, and I just beat one of the best lightweights in the world. He’ll probably be a Hall of Famer and one of my favorite fighters of all time. I put the exclamation point and (now I will) mail it out.

Perez is better situated than many fighters, as he runs a DJ business, and runs an apparel company with his father. Perez said he planned to retire win or lose, but left the door open for a return.

It was (going to happen) regardless, he said. Who knows what (will happen) later on the years, but I’m going to keep training. I’m going to go back, and I’ll be back in the gym this week.

I love this sport. I’m a fan of this sport. I’m always on YouTube looking on the videos and researching guys. I’m going to go home, have fun, enjoy my family, enjoy my dad, enjoy my sister, my brother, my niece, my mom and go see my family in Miami. I just want to enjoy life for a little bit.

I have businesses back home; I don’t live paycheck to paycheck like some of these fighters do. I have a very supportive family at home and I have a couple businesses that are successful at home. Who knows? I’m going to travel the world and live my life the way I want to live my life. That’s it. Nothing can stop me from being happy. I’m happy where I’m at now and I’m just ready for the next chapter. I’m ready for new things in life.

‘The Count’ came on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, and clarified the remarks.

“100 percent they misunderstand me,” said Bisping, as translated by Adam Guillen Jr. Octagon because it’s such a hard thing to do for a living. And the world is made up of many different types of people. Not everybody has what it takes to be a UFC fighter. That’s just a fact. If he doesn’t want to do that and he wants to pursue another career, then great for him and I really respect his choice to do so. Of course, that is his decision.

“My opinion, being a fighter and a competitor, for me, that’s the best living I can give my family. That’s the way it is. For me, I am willing to put myself through that for my family. This is my best opportunity. He got a $50,000 bonus last night on top of his wages. He probably got $70,000. I don’t know where else he is going to earn that kind of money in one night.

“It wasn’t an insult. I don’t necessarily agree, but good for him, I’m sure he has a great head on his shoulders and maybe he’s got an illustrious career in something else away from fighting. I wish I had that. And if he has it, God bless him and all the best. I certainly didn’t mean to be insulting.

“In my mind set, as a competitor, this is the best way I can provide for my family. And to be honest, not many people have this opportunity. He has that opportunity in front of him. He has a beautiful performance, knockout of the night bonus and he’s walking away. To me it just seemed a little weird. But good for him, God bless him.”