Michael Bisping: Anderson Silva has been on the juice his entire career

Michael Bisping recently declared he lost interest in taking on former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, thanks to "The Spider's" failed drug test.

But "The Count" is changing his tune, as he now says he is open to a showdown against the Brazilian bomber because at the end of the day, it's still Anderson Silva.

"I thought, ‘You know what, screw it.' I'll put my judgement to one side, and I'll take the fight because it is Anderson Silva," Bisping told MMA Junkie. "He is a legend, and I want to have the biggest fights possible. But generally, that is the rule I'm going to stick to."

For the most part, Silva has long maintained his innocence. If you ask Bisping, however, Silva is far from innocent. In fact, the brash Brit doesn't feel it's the first time Silva has used performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

It's just the first time he's been caught.

"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," he said.

"The Count" has long maintained that he would never fight anyone with a history of PED abuse. But, Silva isn't just anyone, and while Bisping is adamant he will stick to his mantra moving forward, he will make an exception for "The Spider."

"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," he said.

"If he's taking performance-enhancing drugs, if you're cheating and taking steroids, then you're a coward," Bisping said. "You're not a man in my eyes - I've got no interest in you. But Anderson Silva, he's a little bit different."

At the moment, Anderson is in talks to face off against Vitor Belfort -- another man with past PED troubles -- some time in 2016. Which means Bisping will have to wait a bit longer for the chance to face off against one of the all-time greats.

As for what's next for the British brawler, he revealed during a recent stop at The MMA Hour that he already has a fight lined up for 2016. But due to UFC contractual issues, he was not at liberty to reveal his opponent.

Any guesses?