Michael Bisping says impressive win over Brian Stann earns him shot at Anderson Silva

While Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White is teasing a major announcement regarding the middleweight division following the events of tonight's (Sat., July 21, 2012) UFC 149 fight card in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Michael Bisping may have assumed the role of spoiler.

That's because he told ESPN.com in a recent interview that he's been told he'll receive a title shot against Anderson Silva if he can defeat Brian Stann impressively at UFC 152:

"I've been told if I beat him -- and beat him well -- I'll get a title shot. But I haven't gotten it in writing, so it probably doesn't mean anything."

"The Count" is smart to be skeptical but he's one of the few remaining middleweights "The Spider" has never ensnared in his web and quickly disposed of.

But with White promising answers once the results of UFC 149 are in, it seems entirely possible Hector Lombard could be next in line if he defeats Tim Boetsch in the co-main event. Bisping believes that would be a mistake.

"People are saying he's going to be next for Anderson Silva? Come on. There's just no way he can fight Anderson Silva, because Silva's game is to use range. I think it will be a terrible match-up for Hector Lombard. He'll never get near him."

It's entirely possible Lombard fails his test against Boetsch, of course, which would serve to complicate things even further.

Some have visions of a middleweight tournament dancing in their heads but we know how averse to such things White has always been and if the pieces fall into place, it could ultimately be unnecessary.

Of course, Chris Weidman and Alan Belcher are still out there without fights, hoping their names are under consideration for the next crack at Silva.

As always, we'll have to stay tuned to see how the cookie crumbles. But if Bisping beats Stann are we in agreement that he deserves a title shot?

Maniacs?