Get more pictures like this from SHERDOG.COM, Credit: Daniel Herbertson
Throughout the last couple years, Michael Bisping has been snagging headlines with one sarcastic remark after another. He’s poked fun at UFC flyweights for being uninteresting fighters, while even addressing the need for a middle weight interim belt if Anderson Silva won’t stay in his division and defend the real one.
I’ve tried taking the temperature on fan’s reaction to Bisping’s personality over the years and two perspectives seem to eclipse the general consensus on Bisping’s antics. Most people feel like Bisping is an asshole, while everyone else seems to shrug and remind those people that he’s always been one.
Bisping may be an asshole, but he’s a damn god fighter and his honest approach is refreshing compared to the carefully crafted personas that are exhibited in athletes throughout all sporting mediums these days. And let’s be honest, regardless of where your love afair stands with Bisping, who doesn’t want to see Anderson Silva take him out?
Recently in an interview with mmainterviews.tv, Bisping didn’t mince words and seemed very serious in his approach to fighting Belfort and possibly clinching the number one seed.
“Vitor’s a dangerous fighter and I’ve got a lot of respect for him but you know, lets make one thing clear,” said Bisping. “I’m going down to Brazil to win this fight. I aint going down there to collect a paycheck and get beat up by Vitor. I believe I can beat him. I believe I’m the better fighter. I believe Vitor had his day. I believe he’s very dangerous though. But we’ll see what happens on the night. I train hard, I’m the best I’ve ever been, I’m in shape now. I can go five/five standing on my head. I don’t think Vitor Belfort can do the same thing and after round one, he’s going to be a walking punching bag and it’s going to be an easy night for the Count.”
With UFC on FX live right around the corner, Bisping isn’t looking past Belfort. At least not exactly. He’s focused directly on accomplishing his dream of finally holding UFC gold in his hands, he knows beating Belfort won’t be enough.
“I’m going to beat Vitor in style, and get my title shot,” said Bisping. “I think a win over Vitor anyway it comes, combined with all my past success in the UFC, I think that would solidify me as the number one contender.”
Bisping’s wit (or immaturity depending on your opinion) wasn’t lost on the serious nature of the interview when he compared Belfort’s infamous talk about being a lion, with that of a far less elegant creature among the animal kingdom.
“He has a body of a lion but the legs of a chicken,” said Bisping. “He also has the heart of a chicken, which I’ll show. Listen man you got 21 wins but you also got 11 losses. You’re not superman and prepare for another loss.”
Watch a fun fan made promo for UFC on FX 7 in the video below.
Video courtesy of YouTube uploader king2phil8production