The brash Brit won't quit!
Tuesday 21 April 2015 17:06, UK
Michael Bisping insists he is going nowhere despite injuries and defeats raising questions about his veteran UFC career.
England’s premier export to the world’s top MMA organisation fights CB Dollaway in Montreal, Canada, at UFC 186 this weekend and a win would tie him for the most victories inside the Octagon without challenging for a championship.
The middleweight from Clitheroe, Lancashire, overcame a career-threatening eye injury last year and has exchanged wins and losses in his last eight fights – but claims experience will steer him through his latest challenge.
My name is always in headlines and main-events while Dollaway’s been messing about on the undercards. There’s a reason for that – I’m better than he is.
He told Sky Sports: “My name is always in headlines and main-events while Dollaway’s been messing about on the undercards. There’s a reason for that – I’m better than he is.
“He has been around for a long time, this will be his 16th UFC fight, but he’s never come to the fore and that speaks volumes. What I’m saying is that I’m a higher calibre fighter.
“It won’t be long until I’m banging on about a title shot again, but this shot is about validating my position in the world’s top five.”
Bisping is 4/7 to win with Sky Bet - check out Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey and Jon Jones' odds here
Represent
The 36-year-old is currently ranked at No 10 in the middleweight division having lost in November to Luke Rockhold, the No 1 contender to the 185 pounds title.
Yet nine years after establishing himself as the top English competitor in a growing sport, he is yet to be overtaken by a compatriot and takes that honour seriously.
“This is about me proving that I’m still one of the best in the world, and that England can still hang with any other country in the world,” he told us.
“I want to show that we can still compete on the world stage. I am so proud to represent England, I take that very seriously. I’m an average guy from a working class town. Look throughout history, we are a great fighting nation. Nearly 10 years after my first fight, I am still the foremost fighter from this country and I thrive on that pressure.
“I’m still here, I’m going nowhere and I’ve got what it takes. When I beat Dollaway I want to fight on the Glasgow card in July.”
Decision
Walking away from the sport is a tough decision that a fighter has to make and I don’t know if he’s ready to that yet. But another loss could force him out.
Dollaway, an American who will see Bisping as the big-name victim that his seven-year UFC stretch currently lacks, believes a rough night in Canada will spell the end of the veteran Englishman.
“This could be his last fight,” Dollaway told Sky Sports.
“Walking away from the sport is a tough decision that a fighter has to make and I don’t know if he’s ready to that yet. But another loss could force him out.
“My wrestling is my strength and that’s the chink in his armour.”
