Two weeks UFC President Dana White told the media that Michael “The Count” Bisping was in trouble for his actions in the octagon at UFC 127 in Australia. Bisping had been the target of a trash talking campaign from opponent Jorge Rivera leading up to the bout, which had really gotten under “The Count’s” creating a very angry Michael Bisping by the time both squared off.
Once the cage door closed Bisping let his frustrations fly in the fight, landing an illegal knee to Rivera’s head in the first round. Then in the second, after winning by TKO, the Brit continued to show his anger by verbally berating Rivera for the loss and spitting at his opponents cornermen.
In an interview with MMAFighting.com, White explained to reporter Ariel Helwani that he punished Bisping by withholding his bonus money for the event. He noted that a financial punishment may not appear appropriate, fighters in the UFC know just how hurtful that can, and White made it clear that he isn’t the Athletic Commission, so a suspension is not his decision to make.
“What I did to Michael Bisping, and…not a lot of people really know but the fighters know. The fighter who fight for me know exactly what I’m saying when I tell you this. Mike Bisping didn’t get a bonus, he was not bonused for his fight and believe me that hurts worse than anything else than anyone could have done. I let him know exactly how I felt about it and what I expect of him in the future. He wasn’t given a bonus for the last show, and lets face the facts. He and Jorge Rivera, you know…people were interested in seeing that fight. People were curious and wanted to see it and Mike Bisping was a big part of the promotion for that fight. And he did not get rewarded for it…I think that the knee was intentional and I absolutely think that he meant to spit on that guy.”