Michael Bisping hints to Sky Sports he could defend UFC title in Britain
By James Dielhenn
Last Updated: 08/06/16 6:30pm
Michael Bisping has hinted that his first UFC championship defence could be at a hastily-arranged British event.
The Lancashire middleweight became Britain's first UFC champion when he knocked out Luke Rockhold last weekend having stepped in on short-notice.
He has now confirmed that his request to defend his belt on home soil could be honoured by the end of 2016.
There will be a slot happening soon - it won't be December.
Michael Bisping
"They are capable of creating slots whenever the time fits. There will be a slot happening soon," he exclusively told Sky Sports. "It won't be December.
"I think the fact that I'm now a UK champion, a lot more slots will open.
"I have had conversations with [UFC president] Dana White and [co-owner] Lorenzo Fertitta and said I'd like to fight in the UK for my first defence. Dana said 'we'll see'. Whatever that means, we don't know.
"I'm keeping my cards close to my chest. I don't know who it will be against, I haven't got any names."
Bisping did rule out Rockhold, who originally defeated him in 2014, as his first challenger to complete a trilogy.
The 37-year-old insisted that their grudge will be settled but only when Rockhold has got some wins under his belt.
"There's no point doing that straight away," Bisping said. "When Luke beat me, I had to go away and beat three fighters to earn a chance at redemption. He can do the same thing.
"Certainly his actions after the fight - if he had been more respectful I would have been more inclined but he didn't help his cause.
"I'm sure between me and the UFC, we'll come up with the right person.
"Of course, as the champion I do have influence. But I've never turned anybody down and I don't intend to start doing that as champion."
