UFC middleweight Michael Bisping spoke to the media on Wednesday to promote his upcoming headlining fight opposite Thales Leites at UFC Fight Night 72, which takes place on July 18 and marks the promotion’s debut event in Scotland (Glasgow is the host city). Still, the long-time UFC veteran couldn’t help himself when asked about the misfortune of fellow UFC middleweight and former opponent Vitor Belfort, who lost to UFC middlweight champion Chris Weidman via first-round TKO at UFC 187.
The 36-year-old Bisping told the media he’s looking for fights that get him on track to a title shot, something he says a rematch with Belfort wouldn’t provide. “Well, of course I would like to avenge any loss on my record, but I’m not sure avenge is the correct word. I mean, he was on TRT, so he was at an unfair advantage,” he said.
Bisping fought Belfort in January 2013 and lost via second-round TKO. During this time, Belfort was legally using testosterone replacement therapy, the now-banned practice of having testosterone administered by a medical professional to treat a diagnosed condition in those whose bodies do not produce enough for normal human functioning. TRT was essentially outlawed in February of 2014.
“Yes, I would like a rematch, but also I’m focused on the title. I don’t really want match-ups that aren’t going to do anything for me. Of course, Vitor, I owe him a kick in the head or a punch in the face. It’s as simple as that, whichever way round we get it done it’s fine by me. But like I said, I’m focused on the title.
“A fight with Vitor isn’t something right now that’s going to help achieve that, but certainly, as I just said, I would love to punch that guy in the face.”
The British fighter also commented on Belfort’s appearance at UFC 187 as well as the perceived justice that was handed out by Weidman. The entire experience, Bisping said, had its plusses and minuses.
“It was a bittersweet experience because I looked at him,” he continued, “he looks like he half the man he used to be, quite literally. His legs are like two little chicken legs dangling out of a female’s body. He looks like, to be honest, my 14-year-old son could’ve beaten him up.
“Chris Weidman made him look like the coward that he is,” Bisping noted. “So, yes, I enjoyed seeing it, but it was also bittersweet, because I would’ve loved the chance to get to have done that.”