Michael “The Count” Bisping is raring to get things underway in his co-main event matchup with Chael Sonnen and is also ready for any trash-talking the Oregon native might throw his way.
In an interview with theTelegraph Bisping said,
If he tries to get under my skin, I will take the bait. If he starts talking and saying things, as he often does, I will retaliate.
Obviously, it’s more mature to take the moral high ground and say nothing, but I enjoy a bit of verbal sparring. Obviously, it’s entertaining for the fans, but it gets me fired up. I like that. I fight a lot better when I’m irritated by my opponent.
I fight a lot better when I’m emotional. When I feel the fight has become personal, I feel I do perform better. People say that you get thrown off your game plan, but I don’t react that way.
I’m a fighter, through and through, and if my opponent gets under my skin he’ll bring the best out in me. We did a conference call together, Chael and I, a few days ago, and he was very complimentary.
Not a bad word to say, but that could change very quickly. We have only had 11 days to think about this with the late announcement of the fight.
I have said one or two things in the press over the weekend and he may change his opinion.
In several days time at UFC on Fox 2, Bisping, the pride of British mixed martial arts, is set to take on the enigmatic Sonnen in what could turn out to be the biggest challenge of his career thus far.
What awaits the winner is an eventual tilt at the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title currently held by the division’s kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva.
Less than a fortnight ago, Bisping was slated to lock horns with submissions expert Demian Maia, but as fate would have it, he was suddenly granted the opportunity to vie for the 185-pound crown following an elbow injury sustained to Sonnen’s original opponent Mark Munoz.
With that said, though not overlooking Sonnen, Bisping does have his sights set on the bigger picture which is a shot at the title, the big payday that lies ahead as a result of challenging Silva and also the possibility of dethroning the indomitable Brazilian.
Bisping also thinks the British MMA scene will gain exposure additional exposure if a fight with Silva ever comes to fruition.
There is a world title on the line, a shot at Anderson Silva, and at big payday at stake. Never mind the trash talk, the thing people really want to see is the fight.
I’ll put it all on the line, because the real prize awaits.
Silva is pound-for-pound best in the world, he has almost become iconic. He is revered for the way he wins, the way he defeats people.
For me, to get a shot at him has always been my aim. If I was going to win the title off anyone, I’d want it to be against Anderson Silva.
He is the very, very best we have in the sport. No one else has been able to do it. He has been a champion for six years. If by fighting for the UFC middleweight title I can draw some attention to MMA in the UK, and help give it the boost it needs, then that will be the icing on the cake.
UFC on Fox 2 is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2012, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
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