UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping is in the midst of preparing for a title defense against former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre later this year. He plans on winning that fight. He also has some ideas about who should get the next title shot.
Robert Whittaker shocked the MMA world by upsetting Ronaldo Souza at UFC On Fox 24 and Bisping says that Whittaker should get the title shot before Yoel Romero.
“Yoel Romero is a dirty, lying, cheating scumbag. If you want to do Whittaker after I’ve beaten GSP, we can. If not, I’ll do Romero. But I see Robert as a more worthy contender. He stopped Jacare, Romero didn’t stop Jacare. And Robert hasn’t tested positive for steroids so really I think it should be Robert next. Let’s officially now start the campaign that after I beat GSP, it should be Robert Whittaker. Robert Whittaker vs. Michael Bisping because - okay, maybe there’s a case that he’s the most worthy contender - but more importantly, just to f**k with Yoel Romero. He is the only fight I will take after Georges St-Pierre. I just think, all those things together, Robert Whittaker - okay, admittedly, way better matchup for me stylistically - but, facts are facts and I think he should be the No. 1 contender,” Bisping said on Believe You Me.
Bisping and Whittaker were rumored to be fighting a little over a year ago at UFC 193, but the bout never came to fruition.
If the two can't meet in the Octagon anytime soon, Bisping says that Luke Rockhold would provide a good challenge for Whittaker.
“Listen, I’m fighting GSP sometime this year so he’s gonna have to fight again in the meantime and I think Rockhold would be a great matchup. But it all depends if Rockhold shows up,” says Bisping.
Whittaker has been challenged by Rockhold for a fight at UFC 213, but the Australian feels that the fight would be too quick a turnaround for him after the Souza victory.
![](https://d2skm2yxg2x91b.cloudfront.net/fightful-frontend-prod/2024.01.23.19.20.42/static/images/article/select-quote.png)