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UFC NEWS: Michael Bisping's Team Wolfslair fires back at Jorge Rivera's camp following UFC 127
Mar 1, 2011 - 4:00:48 PM
UFC NEWS: Michael Bisping's Team Wolfslair fires back at Jorge Rivera's camp following UFC 127
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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

BispingMichael_150CG_48.jpg
Michael Bisping's Wolfslair Academy has issued a statement of their own regarding the incidents in Australia last weekend. Though Rivera's camp called for some sort of ramifications for Bisping's illegal knee and for spitting at them after the fight, ramifications that will come according to UFC President Dana White, Wolfslair at the least wanted to give their side of the story. The full statement from the Wolfslair's Anthony McGann is below:

"I would like to give our take on what happened in Australia. Let me begin first by saying that in five years of competing in the UFC at every level, we have never encountered a more unprofessional outfit as Jorge Rivera's camp. All the teams who rub shoulders regularly at all the events are always polite, respectful and courteous to each other. Regardless of any of the fighters smack talk or actions. all the camps will attest to this. Along comes this [Matt] Phinney guy out of the blue, he is Rivera's boxing coach and the guy who features heavily in the YouTube videos making fun of Mike Bisping.

These videos were made with two purposes. One was to promote their tee shirt line ranger up and the second was to goad Mike into a brawl as this was their only chance of winning the fight. Okay well no problem so far, business is business and if that's how they rely to win a fight then more power to them. The videos poked fun at Mike in a personal way and to English people in general and had a huge amount of success. If you combine the numbers on YouTube over the four videos I believe were in the half million bracket. That is phenomenal considering the campaign was over three weeks. So let's be clear this wasn't just banter going back and forth it was significant. Once again at this stage still no problem. It was adding hype to the fight.

The real problems begin in the hotel in Australia. As always fighters are staying in close proximity in the hotel for over a week and during the day the camps pass each other. Normally the fighters will be tense with their opponent but the teams always remain neutral and polite. Rivera's crew were mocking Mike and laughing at him and Jorge even gave an interview to Fanhouse saying if Mike was a man he would confront him in the hotel.

This situation was the reason for the emotional weigh-ins and throughout the catalyst was Phinney. In fact Rivera had two more coaches who never participated in any of this, they did act professional. It was always Rivera and Phinney. If you look at all the ranger up YouTube stuff it seems Phinney is the driving force behind the company and it was him even up to the point on the scale who was constantly goading Mike. I believe he should have concentrated more on real fight preparation like we did than silly childish games and behaviour.

This fight was not your normal fight, the hype was immense and I am sure the fans felt this. The illegal knee was what it was, Mike was over excited and timed it wrong. He is not known for illegal blows although this does happen in the sport from time to time. Whilst Rivera was recovering, Phinney was shouting obscenities to Mike if you look you can see Mike give him the finger in reply. He was also hurling abuse at our corner men, once again this behaviour is unheard of in the UFC. Anyway YouTube videos and goading Mike did him no good and Mike dispatched him with ease.

Mike was still emotional and asked Rivera for an apology, still Phinney was shouting abuse and Mike replied to him, Mike did spit but on the floor in his direction not on him. Phinney was hurling abuse at Mike and our corner men the whole time. His behaviour at the cage was disgusting and unbefitting of the UFC and I won't go into any more detail as Phinney doesn't deserve any notoriety. He does not reflect in anyway the normal conduct of us and the rest of the teams. If that's how he has behaved at other events then he needs to go back to them. Although I believe that after this we won't be hearing much of Mr Phinney anymore.

Mike apologised in the press conference for losing his cool, he apologised on the post fight with Joe Rogan, the joke is after all the efforts the Rivera's camp made to create this situation it was them who complained afterwards not us, we have more respect for the UFC and did not want to make an issue of their behaviour.

Anthony McGann

Wolfslair MMA Academy"


Penick's Analysis: As we've been attempting to say here all weekend, neither side was innocent in this situation. Bisping was wrong for throwing that knee, and he was punished in the cage when a point was taken away. He was wrong for spitting, and he'll likely be fined or worse. But from their perspective Rivera and Phinney were out of line with the videos, and it appears Phinney was well out of line throughout the week leading into the fight. I don't know if Phinney will face any type of reaction from the UFC for his part in it, with McGann's statement that "we won't be hearing much" of him anymore, but if what McGann detailed is true than Phinney over-stepped his bounds as a coach and trainer. It's one thing for fighters to talk trash to one another before a fight. Both guys can get in the cage at the end of the day and handle their business. For a trainer or coach to take part in such activities to the degree Phinney allegedly did, it doesn't have a place in the context of the sport. The person being egged on can't get any retribution in the cage, they certainly can't do anything outside of the cage, and their left with no recourse. Again I stress that what Bisping did was wrong, and he'll be punished for it, but Rivera's camp can't be given a free pass for their part in the entire situation.

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


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