Michael Bisping lost his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight title to Georges St-Pierre a few weeks ago at UFC 217 in New York City after “Rush” caught “The Count” in an air-tight rear-naked choke.
But the loss hasn’t forced “The Count” to hide in a corner, as the former champion is turning right back around to face Kelvin Gastelum at the upcoming UFC Fight Night 122 event in Shanghai, China on Nov. 25 after Anderson Silva was forced out due to a USADA violation.
For Bisping, taking the short notice fight made all the sense in the world, as it would help him get back into a good emotional state with a win after losing to “GSP.”
“I respect Kelvin Gastelum, I really do. I got nothing against him whatsoever, he seems like a nice man and he’s a great fighter, but this isn’t about Kelvin, this is for me. I want to get back in the win column and fight to the best of my ability, do what I do best and what I love to do,” said Bisping on The MMA Hour.
Still, Kelvin isn’t taking the fight with the thought that it will be an easy win, as he knows just what kind of danger’s Gastelum presents.
“I’m an old school-type of guy. I do actually love to fight. I enjoy it. Physically I’m fine, but emotionally I’m checked out. I worked my ass off for that fight and it didn’t come out as planned,” he said. “What am I going to do? This came up and I can’t not take it. Kelvin is a tough fight, and I am not taking him lightly, far from it. But, this isn’t about him, this is about me. It’s a fight for me to get back into my winning ways and exorcise some demons in some way if you will.”
As far as his retirement plans, “The Count” says he will not be hanging up his gloves win, lose or draw in Shanghai, as he is adamant it’s only right to end his career on his home soil.
“There’s a fight card on in London. I would love to be on that. I would love to be a part of that to say thank you to the British people who supported me and have my last fight there. I definitely want my last fight to be in England. I’ve always wanted my last fight to be in England. I’m at peace right now, I’ve been at peace for a long time. Contrary to what GSP said, I’m not an angry man. I’m a very happy man,” Bisping said.
“It’s time to move on and do something else with my life and I’m not done yet. That’s why I want to fight Kelvin because I know I can do better than last week. “I’m taking this fight just, you’re only as good as your last fight, and last week’s fight didn’t go according to plan. I feel good, I’m in good shape, I’ve got no injuries, so why wouldn’t I?”
Anyone expect Bisping to get back into the win column on such short notice?