Michael Bisping shoots down rumors of Anderson Silva bout: I don't fight cheaters

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion Anderson Silva claims he's fighting longtime division contender Michael Bisping in early 2016 -- in Brazil -- once "The Spider" finishes serving his one-year disciplinary suspension.

Silva was popped for steroids at UFC 182.

Bisping, however, isn't stamping his passport just yet. That's because "The Count" told MMA Junkie Radio that he has a new policy on accepting mixed martial arts (MMA) fights and will no longer be facing off against competitors who flunk for junk.

His words:

"You know, to be honest, I've always wanted to fight Anderson Silva. Everybody knows that. That's been well documented. But, I don't know if I feel the same about that right now. The fact is, I kind of said to myself recently, ‘Anybody that tests positive for performance-enhancing drugs, I want no part of it.' As far as I'm concerned, you've been a cheat. I don't think that at 39 years old, having the career that Anderson Silva had, I don't think you make the decision at 39 years old to try this new thing called steroids. I think he must have been on the juice the whole time. I've never used any of that stuff, and I don't see why I should have to fight people who have used those products. So, I don't know whether I would take a fight with Anderson Silva after that's all said and done."

At this rate, that may not leave him with anyone to fight.

Bisping was pulled from the UFC 193 pay-per-view (PPV) event to have elbow surgery (pic), but should be ready to go by the end of the year. The 36-year-old Brit, currently ranked No. 7 at 185 pounds, is coming off back-to-back wins over CB Dollaway and Thales Leites.

Anyone think "The Count" is just playing coy, or has he suddenly joined Team Rothwell?