The winner of the upcoming bout between Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping on UFC on FOX 2 will produce the next challenger for UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
However, Sonnen doesn’t believe that challenger will be Bisping, who was recently promoted to face Sonnen after learning of Mark Munoz’s injury.
The British slugger has become one of the most popular stars to come out of the United Kingdom after winning the third season of The Ultimate Fighter. Since then, Bisping has quietly moved up the rankings with little or no attention, despite earning wins over Chris Leben, Yoshihiro Akiyama and Jason Miller.
Sonnen looks at his new opponent no differently than anyone else; however with Bisping, he doesn’t think he is a very good fighter but he respects his ability to win.
“He certainly hasn’t beaten anybody that’s any good, rankings-wise, but Bisping, you can’t take from him, because he wins,” Sonnen told MMAFighting.com. “That’s undeniable…I’m not a naysayer on Bisping. I’m a supporter, and if he got a shot (at the title), I’d tune in to watch.”
Since his loss to Silva nearly a year ago, Sonnen has done everything in his power to evoke a rematch against the Brazilian. While a win over Bisping will likely setup an anticipated title bout between Sonnen and Silva, the Portland, Oregon, native doesn’t see it happening.
After making multiple attempts at a rematch, Sonnen doesn’t think Silva will accept a bout with him or any other UFC fighter for that matter.
“I’ve got nothing against competing with Anderson, but he does. He’s been offered the fight four times and he’s turned it down four times,” he said. “I don’t believe he’s going to fight Bisping; I don’t believe he’s going to fight again. That’s my personal opinion.”
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