Michael Bisping must have had one too many coffees before the UFC 213 main event because he was intense by the time the final buzzer rang on Saturday night.
Sat Octagonside for the new headliner – Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero – Bisping proved just why he’s been such a polarising figure throughout his career.
The reigning UFC middleweight champion watched on with great interest as the top two contenders at 185lbs fought it out for the interim iteration of his title, earning Fight of the Night honours in the process.
Prone to letting his emotions get the better of him, Bisping divided opinion with his behaviour after Whittaker’s hand was raised in victory following a five-round war with the Cuban freak of nature.
First, ‘The Count’ attempted to rile up Romero by ripping up a miniature Cuban flag and throwing it disdainfully in his direction.
Plenty of trash talk took place between Bisping and ‘The Soldier of God’ over the past 12 months, with accusations of ducking levelled at the champion and suggestions of use of banned substances thrown at Romero.
https://twitter.com/mikedyce/status/883911833832136704
Bisping then took to the Octagon and had to be restrained from getting in Romero’s face.
https://twitter.com/ZPGIFs/status/883915425465204737
He was clearly pumped up.
“He [Romero] was sticking his tongue out at me, so I just reciprocated the love,” Bisping told MMA Junkie. “When I got into the cage as well I was standing in the back whilst they made the announcement.
“Then he walked up and he kind of faked, like he was going to attack me. So, I reacted. All hell broke loose for a second.”
After the judges confirmed that it was Whittaker, and not Romero, who claimed the victory and therefore the interim UFC middleweight title, Bisping turned his attention to the Australian 185lber.
This is going to be fun!! @bisping vs. @robwhittakermma for the middleweight title!!! pic.twitter.com/PdbfqRsNaH
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 9, 2017
After confronting Whittaker, Bisping threw his championship belt at the 26-year-old’s feet, in a move he has since explained.
“I am the undisputed champion of the world,” Bisping continued.
“This fake, this poser, is standing there with an interim belt, like he’s the champion. I’m the champion. Here, take it.
“We’re going to fight, so right now I’m still the champ. I’m not going to walk around with it on. You’ve got one, I’ve got one. Take it. May the best man win. Whoever wins the fight, you can have it, you’re the champ.”
It remains unknown when the unification bout between Bisping and Whittaker will take place as the Brit is still pushing for a lucrative payday opposite welterweight great, Georges St-Pierre.
Bisping recently revealed that he plans on having two more fights before hanging up his gloves for good and those final two opponents could well turn out to be St-Pierre and Whittaker.
