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Michael Bisping readies for Vitor Belfort, aims to avoid dubious distinction

ichael Bisping needs a win over Vitor Belfort to avoid becoming a dubious statistic in the UFC history books, having the most fights in UFC history without getting a title shot. But if Anderson Silva isn't going to defend the middleweight title soon, Bisping argues for the good of the division his battle with Belfort should create a champion.

When Michael Bisping steps into the Octagon on Jan. 19 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he's got something he wants to avoid: leaving a legacy in the sport of being the man with the most fights in UFC history never to get a championship match.

Bisping (23-4), who opened his training camp on Monday, faces Vitor Belfort (21-10) in a five-round main event fight.

It will be his 18th UFC fight, tying Melvin Guillard for third place on the list of those who have never fought for the title. The top two are Chris Lytle, who fought 20 times in UFC competition without ever getting a title shot before his recent retirement and Chris Leben with 19. The difference in all of them is in the records since Bisping is 13-4 in UFC competition. Lytle was 10-10. Leben is 12-7. Guillard is 11-7.

"Far be it from me to look past Vitor," said Bisping. "I'm trying to make this fight more significant. I'm concerned that I've got my hands full. It's not going to be easy. We're fighting in Brazil. He hits hard. But I think I'll weather the storm and he'll become a punching bag."

Bisping has pushed that if Silva is not going to defend the title this year, that his fight with Belfort becomes an interim title fight, or Silva should vacate the title.

"Regarding Anderson, I surely don't want an easy road to the championship," said Bisping. "His last fight was at light heavyweight. His next fight is going to be at a catch-weight. When will be fight at middleweight? What if he gets injured and has to be on the sidelines? All that time will have passed. All the fighters at the top of the middleweight division are on the sidelines. We all want to be world champion some day. We work so hard and strive for it.

"It's not there if Anderson isn't defending the title. I'm not knocking him. He's the greatest fighter we have. But a champion needs to defend the title or he needs to vacate it. And when he comes back to middleweight, he should get an automatic shot. Or they should create an interim title. With Weidman out for six months, I don't think (Tim) Boetsch would have beaten Weidman. I don't think he can be world champion. I think myself and Vitor should be fighting for the interim title. Whoever wins it should continue to defend it. We keep the division moving. The division is more stacked than it's ever been but the champion isn't defending the belt."

"It's well documented, rightly or wrongly, that Vitor gasses quickly," said Bisping. "He does slow down after the first round. Obviously, early for me is going to be the most dangerous. The longer the fight goes, he'll start turning into a walking punching bag. At least that's the plan. It's easier said than done. He's going to come out hard and fast, and he will be dangerous. He's a big middleweight. He's been a heavyweight (tournament) champion, and was a light heavyweight champion back in the day. But these are the kind of fights I'm going to take if I want to back up my talking.

"I feel like I'm in my prime," said Bisping, who turns 34 in three months. "I relocated to Southern California. I've really enjoyed my training here. I've got new training partners and the more time I spend here, the more good people I find to train with. I'm training smarter instead of harder. I've got a long time left in my career."

But he wants to make it clear that is Silva will defend his title soon, he would prefer that.

"If that's the case, great," he said. "If he comes to fight, I'll shut the f*** up. That's what I want. I don't want to have an easy run for the title. If he wants to fight the winner of me and Vitor, that's great. But if he fights GSP and Jon Jones, something needs to be done with the middleweight division."

Michael Bisping readies for Vitor Belfort, aims to avoid dubious distinction - MMA Fighting

[MickeyKnox]

Someone needs to stop Bisping from making sense. It isn't right for me to agree with two consecutive Bisping articles!

Who should be next for Bisping if he manages to defeat Vitor?

I hate that Weidman is out for so long. If Bisping beat Vitor, a 5 rounder between him and Weidman could be an epic fight with the shot or an interim title at stake.

[JPeezy]

I think it's safe to assume Bisping has the most threads on this forum of any fighter to never fight for a title.

[hurt80]

i wish they would just give him a shot at anderson whether he deserves it or not, he would be destroyed and we wouldnt have to hear about it anymore. and it would be very entertaining to watch!

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