UFC
Michael Bisping doesn't think GSP wants Anderson Silva fight, eyes title shot of his own
Oct 21, 2012 - 3:55:31 PM Michael Bisping doesn't think GSP wants Anderson Silva fight, eyes title shot of his own

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Discussion about a potential Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre super fight is going to continue through at least Nov. 17, as the outcome of St-Pierre's bout with Carlos Condit will determine whether or not that fight might come to fruition. However, while the discussion soldiers on, there are many others who would like to get their own crack at one fighter or the other.

One name still trying to get himself a fight with Silva is Michael Bisping, who picked up one of his best wins in his lengthy UFC career last month when he defeated Brian Stann with a clear and convincing decision. In an interview with MMAJunkie.com this week, Bisping questioned whether St-Pierre truly wanted the fight, though he understood the thinking behind trying to put it together.

"It sounds to me, reading between the lines, I don't think 'GSP' is really keen on it," Bisping said. "I think he realizes that it's not a good fight for him, to be honest. He's said it's a giant pain in the ass to always talk about Anderson Silva, and I'm sure it would be a giant pain in the jaw, as well."

"It is frustrating, but I also understand it. I understand it from Silva's perspective. I understand it from the UFC's perspective. Who knows if they'll step up and try and fight each other? I'll just be waiting for my shot."

Though he has an understanding regarding the UFC and Silva eying this GSP fight, Bisping's frustration continues as well. He's been competing in the UFC's middleweight division for years, and finally has gotten himself into the role of legitimate title challenger. Unfortunately, he's got several others in the division setting themselves up in a similar position, and with Silva not taking any of those fights anytime soon, there's a hold up.

"I think 185 pounds is the most exciting division in the UFC right now," Bisping said. "It certainly has the best champion, and it certainly has the most challengers to the belt. There's no shortage of contenders. There's no shortage of exciting fights for me at 185. I'm privileged to be a part of it... [But] I'm a perennial contender. I'm here, and I'm fighting the best guys. I want my shot.

"I'm tired. I know I've got to wait my turn, but it's pissing me off. I want to get my title shot, and if I keep beating guys, they'll have no choice but to give it to me."

Penick's Analysis: Bisping's got to be persistent at this stage. If Silva is truly going to wait out a fight with GSP, then Bisping's going to have to win another fight in order to get his shot. That's not unreasonable for him to do, after all he's just got one win in a row right now, but the issue becomes murky if Silva then looks to set up the other discussed super fight with Jon Jones. At that stage it might be an issue of dropping the belt and letting the division fight it out from there. But Bisping might be right anyway; maybe St-Pierre isn't really all that interested in fighting someone who will have a massive size and reach advantage on him. He's never been entirely thrilled with the idea, and even if he defeats Condit he may not want to go right into it. We'll have to see how everything plays out, but Bisping is indeed "in the mix."

[Michael Bisping art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]