Michael Bisping is scheduled to face Dan Henderson later this year in his first title defense as the new middleweight champ.
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“I do like that fight”, Roach said about his own interest in working with St-Pierre again to help him prepare for his long-awaited Octagon return. I know that fight is not going to happen. But the thing is, there are no names out there yet. “We haven’t picked anyone or we don’t have a favourite at this point”.
If you saw his on-air response to Henderson’s Team Quest teammate Sam Alvey’s bizzare quasi-callout of Bisping after defeated UFC debutee Eric Spicely in South Dakota, it’s clear that he wants nothing but to avenge his historic UFC 100 knockout loss to the revered PRide and Strikeforce champion.
For those that missed it, earlier this week legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach, who has worked off-and-on with GSP in the past, claimed Bisping was offered the fight against the former longtime UFC Welterweight king, but turned it down. Dana White announced the bout after UFC 200 but the date and venue are not yet known.
“The knockout of which is still emblazoned on Dan Henderson’s shorts and banners”.
While Bisping is riding a four-fight win streak and holds UFC gold, Henderson launched another devastating KO against Hector Lombard at UFC 199. I think [that fight would have been great stylistically]. Why would I want to avenge the most devastating knockout in UFC history.
Former champions Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman have already voiced their complaints and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza has recently accused Bisping of running away from a tough matchup and instead opting for a fight with the 45-year old veteran, who has gone just 2-3 over his past five fights. “I just don’t know why I would do that”.
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Meanwhile, Bisping realised a lifelong ambition when defeating Luke Rockhold on little more than a week’s notice to become the UFC’s first ever British belt-holder. Bisping said he’s down for the bout.
