Michael Bisping vowed to climb back "to the top of the pile" after his second round TKO defeat to Vitor Belfort at UFC on FX 7.
The Phenom ends Bisping's title hopes in Brazil
Michael Bisping vowed to climb back "to the top of the pile" after his second round TKO defeat to Vitor Belfort at UFC on FX 7.
Bisping was thought to have been in contention for a shot at UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva should he have beaten Belfort, but his title hopes were dashed in blistering fashion by 'The Phenom' in his home country of Brazil.
A tentative first round from both fighters will not live long in the memory, but in round two Belfort stunned 'The Count' with a high left kick that caught Bisping on the side of the head.
After being sent to the mat, Bisping frantically attempted to cover up as Belfort unloaded with punches, before referee Dan Miragliotta called the fight to a halt.
Manchester-born Bisping, whose record in the UFC is now 23-5, was gracious in defeat and remains confident that he will be able to bounce back in search of an elusive title opportunity.
"I've got no excuses," said Bisping. "I had an amazing training camp and I felt fantastic. I felt very confident I was going to win this fight.
"He (Belfort) was the better man tonight. It was a beautiful kick he caught me with. You win some, you lose some. I'll be back on top of this pile before you know it."
As for Belfort, his remarkably composed and calm demeanour during the fight was soon replaced with intense hostility as he clamoured for a rematch with UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Jones submitted Belfort at UFC 152, and is scheduled to fight Chael Sonnen in April once the two have completed filming series 17 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Speaking after the fight, Belfort laid into Sonnen and even claimed "The American Gangster" should be removed from his scheduled fight against Jones.
"Take that punk Chael Sonnen and get him out," said Belfort.
"Let me fight Jon Jones. I need that rematch. Take that clown (Sonnen) away and let me fight the real champion. A champion against a champion - not that clown."
Elsewhere on the card, Gabriel Gonzaga submitted fellow heavyweight Ben Rothwell, while middleweight Daniel Sarafian's UFC debut ended in defeat after C.B. Dollaway earned a split decision victory in Sao Paulo.
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