Source: UFC wants Bisping vs. Whittaker

[Wild]

Bloody Elbow has learned, through a source close to the situation, that the UFC is targeting a matchup between top ten middleweights Michael Bisping and Robert Whittaker.

The source revealed that the UFC is planning for Whittaker (16-4), who recently defeated Rafael Natal at UFC 197, to headline his first UFC event in November on a Fight Night card that could be held at the Rob Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

According to the source, the UFC are, "trying to make the fight happen," but it is thought that Bisping (28-7) will not accept the bout, "unless forced."

LINK: Source: UFC targeting Bisping vs. Whittaker for November

 

[Robbie Hart]

Unless forced = scared he's going to lose

 

[La Paix]

Will this be the second effort for this match up? I kind of get why Mike is hesitant but ffs we got Shogun fighting Corey Anderson, Silva was lined up to fight Hall, Maia fought Magny.... If you're not winning titles currently after this long you run the risk of being used as a stepping stone. @Joemacka must be the only one who wants to see Bisping get beat up by Rockhold again, strange thing for a fan to be waiting for.

 

[Robbie Hart]

I should "of" added, if you can't beat everyone else you shouldn't be gifted a pointless shot.

If he doesn't take this fight and it's being offered, see you in a year because Yoel's got winner of weidman rockhold

 

[warriorx559]

I'm taking Whittaker if it happens.

 

[Andrewsimar Palhardass]

Poor Bisping. Haha I bet he's bummed to hear that this is what the UFC is thinking for him.

 

[Qat]

Well I can somehow see why he wants to wait the situation out a bit, or only wants a top5-dude perhaps. He isn't getting younger, is 4-1 atm, and any of these guys could get injured.

Whittaker is getting up there, but it kinda is a lose/lose fight for him with a lot of risk.

 

[La Paix]

Well I can somehow see why he wants to wait the situation out a bit, or only wants a top5-dude perhaps. He isn't getting younger, is 4-1 atm, and any of these guys could get injured.

Whittaker is getting up there, but it kinda is a lose/lose fight for him with a lot of risk.

Correct but it's a lot of risk because frankly Bisping could very possibly lose to the up and comers and be out out quicker than he likes. Guys like Rockhold, Weidman, Jacre, Yoel wouldn't be to concerned in fighting Wittaker if that was proposed to them.

 

[Wild]

I'm taking Whittaker if it happens.

Same here.

 

[Qat]

Correct but it's a lot of risk because frankly Bisping could very possibly lose to the up and comers and be out out quicker than he likes. Guys like Rockhold, Weidman, Jacre, Yoel wouldn't be to concerned in fighting Wittaker if that was proposed to them.

Probably, but sleeping on him could be a big mistake, I'm pretty impressed with him. Seems solid all around and tough as shit.

 

[La Paix]

Probably, but sleeping on him could be a big mistake, I'm pretty impressed with him. Seems solid all around and tough as shit.

Agree but I'm not sleeping on him at all if he's fighting Mike, that the issue I'm sure he's having. If Bisping believes he's truelyca threat to the title then that's awesome, good for any fighter to think the same. I just think looking from the outside he's not on the same level by quite a margin. I think a good fight with a big name and pay day could be Nick Daiz though.

 

[LawFitz]

Bisping should take this fight for several reasons:

1. It will be tough, but I think he beats Rob.
2. He can use his current position in the negotiation as leverage to get a guaranteed title shot if he wins.
3. If he doesn't take it, he faces being sidelined for a very long time waiting for a title shot, especially with Jacare/Yoel in the mix.

 

[Wild]

Bisping should take this fight for several reasons:

1. It will be tough, but I think he beats Rob.
2. He can use his current position in the negotiation as leverage to get a guaranteed title shot if he wins.
3. If he doesn't take it, he faces being sidelined for a very long time waiting for a title shot, especially with Jacare/Yoel in the mix.

Yeah, I personally dont see him getting a title shot anytime soon but maybe he's been told he will. No idea. I think he will have a rough go of it with Whittaker though. Whittaker is an animal if you can't get him to the ground.

 

[Joemacka]

Fight doesnt make sense for Bisping, a win over Whittaker does nothing for him. Its a toss up fight tho hope they dont make it.

 

[La Paix]

Fight doesnt make sense for Bisping, a win over Whittaker does nothing for him. Its a toss up fight tho hope they dont make it.

Very selfish of you Joe, what about Wittakers needs? You have little faith that the Count can collect an easy check unharmed and see if that title shot comes I'm thinking. Guys like Hendo and Wand gave Mike the opportunity to get a win over a big name but he came up short. It's time he returns the favour here, he might even win.

 

[FadeToBlack]

There's no way Bisping is happy with this fight. He's never had a shot at the title. At this point, I'm all for giving it to him. Rockhold will maul him again and Weidman would too, but at least he can retire knowing he got the shot. It'd be a shame if Whittaker beats the breaks off dat ass and basically guarantees he'll never get one.

 

[Joemacka]

Very selfish of you Joe, what about Wittakers needs? You have little faith that the Count can collect an easy check unharmed and see if that title shot comes I'm thinking. Guys like Hendo and Wand gave Mike the opportunity to get a win over a big name but he came up short. It's time he returns the favour here, he might even win.

He just smashed Anderson a fight against Romero would be more suitable and Whittaker can fight Vitor next which would be a good fight.

 

[La Paix]

He just smashed Anderson a fight against Romero would be more suitable and Whittaker can fight Vitor next which would be a good fight.

Before we go any further please define smash for me.

 

[Joemacka]

Wobbled his arse in the first and dropped him in second pounding on him for the rest of the round. Then cruising to a nice unanimous decision.

 

[La Paix]

There's no way Bisping is happy with this fight. He's never had a shot at the title. At this point, I'm all for giving it to him. Rockhold will maul him again and Weidman would too, but at least he can retire knowing he got the shot. It'd be a shame if Whittaker beats the breaks off dat ass and basically guarantees he'll never get one.

And how this plays out will set precedent (again) on how the UFC decides title shots. There's been a handful of guys like Matt Brown, Diaz Bros and others who aren't worried to call the belt a popularity contest of sorts. If Mike gets a rematch with Luke basically because he's been a company man then the title (to me) gets devalued again. It doesn't really matter and I see how Mikes shot could be the right thing to do for all he's done but it's gonna cause a shot storm to others guys who feel they're more deserving based on merit, fight record and who they've beat at certain times.

As far as giving the guy who's been around for so long and draws well a favour then sure, line it up and I'll happily watch. But I just can't see a scenario where Bisping at the tail end of his long career does something so drastic in his training or whatever that a rematch with Luke or a fight with Wiedman is competitive. I know that there's always a chance and I'm not saying impossible to win but it's a tough sell to say he's a threat to those guys. If Luke defends the title then a Mike rematch is blah to me. If Chris gets it back then at least it's a fresh match up.

 

[La Paix]

Wobbled his arse in the first and dropped him in second pounding on him for the rest of the round. Then cruising to a nice unanimous decision.

Does him being as close to a KO possible not make it a bit of a wash at all? He won the UD which is nice, I personally wouldn't describe it a smashing but that's me. Him vs Yoel would be a good match up too, has he shown any desire for that one?

 

[kneeblock]

If I was Bisping, I'd say title shot or retirement. You don't come off beating Anderson and fight an up and comer. You either fightfor the belt or ride off into the sunset imo.

 

[Joemacka]

Does him being as close to a KO possible not make it a bit of a wash at all? He won the UD which is nice, I personally wouldn't describe it a smashing but that's me. Him vs Yoel would be a good match up too, has he shown any desire for that one?

Yea they have both been going at it on twitter if im not mistaken. Would be a legit number1 contender fight.

 

[Joemacka]

If I was Bisping, I'd say title shot or retirement. You don't come off beating Anderson and fight an up and comer. You either fightfor the belt or ride off into the sunset imo.

I agree the very least they could give him a number 1 contender bout. I love Whittaker but it is abit of a step back after Mike just got the biggest win of his career.

 

[Joemacka]

Does him being as close to a KO possible not make it a bit of a wash at all? He won the UD which is nice, I personally wouldn't describe it a smashing but that's me. Him vs Yoel would be a good match up too, has he shown any desire for that one?

Bisping was winning that round easily too until Anderson got desperate.