Reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion Michael Bisping has found yet another reason why he shouldn’t be fighting division ranked No. 1 contender Yoel Romero later this year.
And his name is Robert Whittaker.
Bisping was so impressed with “The Reaper’s” technical knockout win over top contender Ronaldo Souza (see it again here), “The Count” is willing to give the Aussie first crack at the middleweight crown.
From Bisping’s official podcast (via MMA Fighting):
“Listen, I’ve got no qualms fighting Robert Whittaker. Let’s just make that abundantly clear right now. Yoel Romero is a dirty, lying, cheating scumbag. If you want to do Whittaker after I’ve beaten GSP, we can. If not, I’ll do Romero. But I see Robert as a more worthy contender. He stopped Jacare, Romero didn’t stop Jacare. And Robert hasn’t tested positive for steroids so really I think it should be Robert next. Let’s officially now start the campaign that after I beat GSP, it should be Robert Whittaker. Robert Whittaker vs. Michael Bisping because – okay, maybe there’s a case that he’s the most worthy contender – but more importantly, just to fuck with Yoel Romero. He is the only fight I will take after Georges St-Pierre. I just think, all those things together, Robert Whittaker – okay, admittedly, way better matchup for me stylistically – but, facts are facts and I think he should be the No. 1 contender.”
Romero, not surprisingly, believes he’s getting ducked.
None of this matters if Bisping is unable to get past Georges St-Pierre when the former welterweight champion bumps up in weight to challenge “The Count” for his 185-pound title. When and where that fight takes place is still a mystery.
As is the true identity of the division’s No. 1 contender.