Michael Bisping is as blunt and brash as they come. And the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion of the world was at his best on Saturday night, crashing Robert Whittaker’s post-fight victory speech after defeating Yoel Romero to win the interim title at UFC 213 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Full fight video highlights here.
A heated “Count” then proceeded to trash talk “The Reaper” ahead of their upcoming title unification match after throwing his belt at Robert’s feet in a move that was seemingly done to belittle Whittaker’s win (see it here).
During the Fox Sports 1 post-fight show (via MMA Junkie), Bisping explained his actions
“I am the undisputed champion of the world,” Bisping said. “This fake, this poser, is standing there with an interim belt, like he’s the champion. I’m the champion. Here, take it. We’re going to fight, so right now I’m still the champ. I’m not going to walk around with it on. You’ve got one, I’ve got one. Take it. May the best man win. Whoever wins the fight, you can have it, you’re the champ.”
Of course, minutes prior, Bisping told Robert to his face that the reason why he did it was because he was so heated, and admitted to him he has great respect for him. Furthermore, “The Count” recalled a confrontation he has with Romero.
“He was sticking his tongue out at me, so I just reciprocated the love,” Bisping said. “When I got into the cage as well I was standing in the back whilst they made the announcement. Then he walked up and he kind of faked, like he was going to attack me. So, I reacted. All hell broke loose for second.”
Brutal.
Romero and Whittaker will indeed throw down sometime this year in a title unifiction match. And since White also revealed that the Georges St-Pierre fight has sailed for “The Count,” nothing will be standing in the way.