Brian Stann – image via UFC.com
UFC middleweight Brian Stann (12-4) is ready to return to the Octagon and is looking to make a big statement when he faces Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping later this month in Toronto at UFC 152.
Stann made a rather large statement in his last fight by knocking out Alessio Sakara with his ground-and-pound last April at UFC on FUEL TV 2.
Now ‘The All American’ faces one of the top-fighters in the middleweight division and will look to finish the Brit in order to improve his own standing at 185-lbs.
Speaking to ESPN.com, Stann was respectful of his opponent but vowed to “test his chin” once he and Bisping step into the cage.
“I absolutely want to test his chin,” Stann said. “Anybody who stood with me knows the fight doesn’t last long. I’m in this to be a champion and I need to beat Michael Bisping to make a statement.”
Expressing his admiration for the Brit, Stann added: “This guy’s one of the biggest stars of the UFC. He’s on the cusp of a title shot. That’s the situation I’m always looking for. I want to fight the best guys.
“I don’t think there’s an opponent out there that would have gotten me more excited. He’s a guy that settles into the fight quickly, executes his game plan very well and mixes it up.”
Fighting at 185-lbs, Stann is 4-1 in the division with wins over Sakara, Jorge Santiago, Chris Leben and Mike Massenzio. While his only blemish comes at the hands of former two-time contender Chael Sonnen.