Gokhan Saki recently called out former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping in the latter’s retirement bout, which may happen later this year.
The fighter believes a bout with a potentially retiring Bisping would help raise the level the UFC is in right now in Europe.
“If the UFC is smart they will do it,” Saki told MMA Fighting. “I really respect Bisping, he’s a sick fighter. I saw his tweet and I thought that when the UFC announced my signing they announced me as a kickboxing legend. I just thought it would be a good idea for the MMA legend, Bisping, to take on the kickboxing legend. If they want to bring UFC to the next level, especially in Europe, then this is the fight to make.”
Saki first must contend with Khalil Rountree, as the duo will face off this coming July at UFC 226.
Bisping is a legend in MMA to many fans and Saki believes the British slugger needs to face another legend like him in the retirement bout.
“I think he likes my style. Kickboxing is very different from MMA stand-up. His stand-up is very good, a lot better than most of the guys in MMA and I’m just a kickboxer, you know?” he said. “The fight makes a lot of sense to me. And I think it will be good if they can make it happen. If he wants to end his career a legend, he needs to fight a legend.”
UFC 226 takes place on Saturday, July 7 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
