Brad Tavares Calls Out Michael Bisping for His Retirement Fight
Michael Bisping’s 2017 was a roller coaster ride. He got a well-deserved huge money fight with Georges St-Pierre, but ended up on the wrong end of a choke. After losing his title, he jumped into a fight with Kelvin Gastelum with a super quick turnaround and was finished in the first round. He’ll look to come into 2018 to turn that all around with one last fight before he walks away from the sport. He’s had offers from a handful of fighters looking to build off his name in the big moment, Brad Tavares being the latest to challenge the former UFC middleweight champion.
What’s up @bisping I know you’re looking for a fight in England. Respectfully, I would like to share the octagon with you, and show the English fans how Hawaiians get down!!! @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 @ufc
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) January 5, 2018
He’s gone on record saying that England will be the place that he retires, of course that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be in March. Either way, he’s got options as to who exactly that will be. It looks like it won’t be the long-hyped fight with Yoel Romero, as he’s fighting David Branch at the end of February. Luke Rockhold as well fights earlier that month, so that may rule out two of the biggest farewell bouts. As his big fights dwindle, Tavares has thrown his offer down the pipe.
“God bless Shanghai, I’m sure the people are very nice, but no [that’s not my retirement fight]. Again, I have nothing against China, they are a lovely race of people. I have never been to China, why is my retirement fight going to be in China? There’s a fight card on in London. I would love to be on that. I would love to be a part of that to say thank you to the British people who supported me and have my last fight there. I definitely want my last fight to be in England. I’ve always wanted my last fight to be in England. I’m at peace right now, I’ve been at peace for a long time. Contrary to what [Georges St-Pierre] said, I’m not an angry man. I’m a very happy man. It’s time to move on and do something else with my life and I’m not done yet.” — Michael Bisping on The MMA Hour back in November 2017.
1/6/2018.