Michael Bisping shuts down Luke Rockhold: Go earn a rematch

At UFC 199, Michael Bisping finally got his UFC title shot after nearly a decade in the promotion. Bisping capitalized on the opportunity, despite stepping in on just 2 weeks notice, and knocked out middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in the very first round.

With both men at one win each, Rockhold believes that an immediate rematch is in order so he can attempt to reclaim the UFC championship. Bisping doesn’t see it that way, and wants Rockhold to earn another fight, like he had to after their first fight in 2014.

He spoke to Sky Sports:

There’s no point doing that [a rematch] straight away . When Luke beat me, I had to go away and beat three fighters to earn a chance at redemption. He can do the same thing.

Certainly his actions after the fight—if he had been more respectful I would have been more inclined but he didn’t help his cause.

I’m sure between me and the UFC, we’ll come up with the right person.

Of course, as the champion I do have influence. But I’ve never turned anybody down and I don’t intend to start doing that as champion.

Bisping also revealed that he has talked with Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta about having his first title fight in the UK, however nothing has been decided yet.