With Bisping bout off the table, Yoel Romero interested in interim title fight with Anderson Silva

At a to-be-determined date later this year, UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping will attempt to defend his title against former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. The bout will mark St-Pierre’s return to the cage after a multi-year hiatus, and as such, is one of the most anticipated events on the MMA calendar.

As exciting as St-Pierre’s comeback fight with Bisping is, however, it’s also generated plenty of controversy, as his being granted an immediate middleweight title shot deprives many hard-working middleweight contenders of the shots they’ve earned.

Of all these contenders, none or more deserving than Cuba’s Yoel Romero, who clinched the number-one-contender spot with a thunderous, third-round knockout of former champ Chris Weidman back in November. Unsurprisingly, St-Pierre’s title shot has got Romero pretty frustrated. Luckily, he has a plan with which he can stay busy while he waits for Bisping and St-Pierre to settle their score. That plan is a fight with former middleweight champion Anderson Silva – ideally for an interim title. Romero explained this idea through his translator on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour.

“A fight with Anderson would be great,” he said. “It would be great for me, it would be great for the fans, and a fight for an interim title would be really good in general.” 

He then clarified that he’s only interested in fighting Silva for the interim title, as he’s already defeated most other ranked middleweights.

“I’ve already fought everybody else,” he said. “I’ve already fought and beat everybody else. The only person that is amongst those great stars is Anderson. We both have to play with the same plans of St-Pierre. At this moment, this is almost like a chess match.”

When asked if he believes St-Pierre will fight him if he wins the middleweight title, Romero explained that he’s doubtful, which is why he’s hoping any potential showdown with Silva will be for interim gold.

“That’s exactly why I want to fight with Anderson for that interim title.” 

What do you think of Yoel Romero’s plans for a bout with Anderson Silva? Sound off, PENN Nation!

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