It would be hard to find someone who deserves this moment more than Bisping, who was competing in his 25th career UFC fight but first title shot. Things escalated quickly and as the two stood to leave the conference, Bisping called Rockhold a “f*ggot”.
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The Count counted ten years and 26 fights in the UFC for a title shot but made the best of it once he received his opportunity.
“I believe I had control of that fight from the beginning, I just overcommitted and he caught me”, Rockhold said.
“He always makes excuses, anytime a fight goes to a decision with Faber his excuse is, well he didn’t finish me, well you didn’t finish the other guy either and he always forgets to look at that fact”, said Cruz.
“I’ve always known I was at this level”. “He is the No. 1 contender and I’ve never turned down a fight in my life”.
It completed a remarkable resurgence for Lancashire’s Bisping, who has lost three title eliminators in his 10 years in the sport. “And you said, ‘I already shook your hand, and you told me to (expletive) off, basically”. This was my dream, nobody was taking this away from me.
Rockhold, 31, had gone into the contest on a run of five successive victories, including a second-round submission win against Bisping in November 2014.
“I’m gonna be honest with you, I’m a coach”. And the fact that he beat Anderson Silva, I know as a coach – and you hear me talk about it – the mindset and the psychological game of it all, it’s very valuable and it’s very important. I’ll be there. I’m gonna go in confident. “That’s flawless because I won that last fight too so even I didn’t change I was better than him then and I’m definitely better than him now”.
For the first time, under new California rules, fighters were allowed to officially weigh in between 10am and 2pm at a nearby hotel. “I’m just glad I’m here”.
Luke is looking to take advantage of Bisping’s damaged eye, maybe that’s why he requested to battle with him and desire a highlight-reel end.
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However, Weidman seemingly thought that Rockhold would lose his belt somewhere down the line, presumably in a rematch against him. “I think I’ve earned mine, but I will do what I have to do, but it will be a short-lived destiny”. “Give your respect, don’t be a smug dick about it”, Rockhold said.
