Anderson Silva calls out Michael Bisping and Nick Diaz

Anderson Silva’s narrow UFC 208 defeat of Derek Brunson marked his first win since an October 2012 defeat of Stephan Bonnar. This win served to keep his status as a top-flight middleweight alive. It also set him up for more big fights in the ever competitive UFC middleweight division.

Silva seems to have two opponents in mind to that end. The first is Stockton, California’s Nick Diaz, who has not fought since 2015, when he lost a decision to Silva in a fight that was ruled a no-contest after he tested positive for marijuana metabolites and Silva tested positive for several more significant banned substances. The other is England’s Michael Bisping, who currently holds the UFC middleweight title and is scheduled to defend that title against returning welterweight great Georges St-Pierre later this year. Back in 2016, Silva and Bisping battled for five frenzied rounds, with Bisping ultimately walking away with a controversial decision win.

Silva explained his desire for these bouts with Diaz and Bisping in a recent post to Instagram. See this post below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRkjlMzFzxT/

“We are three great professionals,” Silva said in his post to Instagram. What makes the most sense at the moment, is not his fight with any other, but with me, regardless of belt. Regardless of the show, we respect each other, a new fight between us, would be a great fight of gentlemen.”

“Because with Nick, it was a No Contest, we have a story to tell, I’ll wait for you in Brazil,” Silva’s post continued. “And I’m waiting for you, Mr. Bisping, after your fight with GSP.”

Do you think Nick Diaz and Michael Bisping will oblige Anderson Silva with rematches, or should “The Spider” set his sights on fresh new matchups? Make your opinion heard in the comments section, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/13/2017.