Interim UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker is also waiting to enter on the line, and he surely has right to face either winner opponent that’s happening at UFC 217 at Madison Square Garden with the 185-pound title between GSP and Michael Bisping.
Former Middleweight Luke Rockhold has a formidable outlook on the current situation of middleweight division said on The MMA Hour yesterday (Mon. September 25, 2017). The fact is he doesn’t believe either Michael Bisping or St-Pierre will unify the 185-pound title with Robert Whittaker. while GSP never competed at 185 pounds in the UFC and giving it a fresh start after an absence of four years.
While Michael Bisping is planning on his retirement and St-Pierre believes on defending his title and fantasizing about making a history in this fight, but Luke thinks none of them will defend their title at UFC 217.
“I don’t believe Bisping will, either,” Rockhold said. “He’s ran this far. He’s finally gonna come up and get a payday. Either way, I don’t think either one fights any of us.”
Michael Bisping competed against champion Luke Rockhold with a short notice for a second time on 4 June 2016 at UFC 199 and won via knockout in the first round to become the UFC Middleweight Champion on June 16, 2016. Many believe that fight was the biggest upset in the fight history. While
Rockhold won the fight against David Branch Via TKO in the second round on September 16, 2017, at UFC fight night 116. Even though, he was away from octagon for more than a year. He thinks worthy fighters like himself and Whittaker needs more chances while they left out deprived in the cold.
“He doesn’t deserve it,” Rockhold said of Bisping. “GSP, he’s overstepping his boundaries. He’s jumping into a world that he’s not ready for. I mean, even if he were to win this fight, he’s unprepared to fight any of us. That’s not gonna happen. It just doesn’t make any sense. And it’s annoying. It’s what we all worked for, is to get to that title. To have that thing held hostage is frustrating. The direction this company is going, just feeding the people this bullshit. I fight to get the title; I fight to be the best. There’s two of them out there, and I’m trying to hunt one down. So, obviously, Bisping is my first priority. If not, Whittaker is there.”
Luke Rockhold, 32, noted during his training camp that his coach Henri noticed Bisping following his Instagram stories regularly. Rockhold believes that’s the evidence that Bisping is looking over his shoulder for Rockland.
“He’s nervous, he’s scared,” Rockhold said. “He knows his time is limited. He’s gonna have to run. I’m gonna be there. I’m gonna put myself on that stage, on that doorstep. He’s gonna have to make a choice.”
“If he wants to think that I’m vulnerable in that realm or any of those realms, please. Sign the contract. I’ll be ready to go. As a matter of fact, if Bisping were to sign to fight with me, I would promise you and the world, I would bet on it. I would not shoot for one takedown. This would purely be a stand up fight. I’d give him every opportunity to implement his boxing, get on the inside. … I f*cking guarantee you, I will finish you on the feet. With all the holes in my game, I will pick you apart.”
